STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
THRIVING TOGETHER IN A CHANGING WORLD
ORIENTATIONS STRATÉGIQUES
S’ÉPANOUIR ENSEMBLE DANS UN MONDE EN CHANGEMENT
Established 1891 Anishinàbe Aki
2025-2030
A RIVER’S COURSE
Like the Ottawa, Rideau, and Gatineau rivers that flow through our region, shaping the land and linking communities, Ashbury College has long been a guiding current in the lives of our students. For more than a century, we’ve charted a steady course through still waters and storms alike, preparing students to navigate a world in motion.
Rivers never stand still. They wind, shift, and deepen. They connect distant places and draw strength from many sources. In the same way, Ashbury blends tradition and innovation, drawing on its rich heritage and forward-looking spirit.
As we look ahead, the river becomes our metaphor for resilience, purpose, and progress. This five-year strategy is the current that will carry us forward, grounded in enduring values, and ready to meet change not with resistance, but with clarity, care, and confidence.
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL UN MOT DU DIRECTEUR
Thriving Together in a Changing World
The Ashbury community has given voice to a renewed direction, reaffirming our values and ensuring that Ashbury College remains a leader in international education. Strategic Directions—Orientations
Stratégiques 2025–2030 builds on 135 years of history, where students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni come together to thrive in a changing world.
As Canada’s international school in the nation’s capital, our sense of place—both locally and globally —continues to strengthen and evolve. Life on our beautiful campus fosters diverse perspectives, uniting people through both academic and co-curricular pursuits. Whether boarding or day, Ashbury students
enjoy a rich educational experience shaped by high expectations and a responsibility to the wider world.
These directions emphasize student success and well-being, coupled with a strong sense of connection and belonging as we prepare young people to take on the challenges of a changing world. Notre plan stratégique permet aux élèves de s’épanouir, de se préparer aux études universitaires et de contribuer à nos sociétés globales et pluralistes.
We are grateful for the strong engagement shown throughout this process and extend sincere thanks to all who contributed to shaping our strategic renewal as we thrive, connect, and adapt together.
Norman Southward
This five-year strategy will provide focus and define our direction, motivating and propelling us toward a caring, resilient, and interconnected community, progressing with purpose.
The plan will advance our leadership, ready to embrace future opportunities and challenges, preparing students to lead in a changing world, and fostering a community that remains conscientious and adaptable.
NOV ’24 – JAN ’25 Engage
DEC ’24 – MAR ’25
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN ROADMAP
To help us chart a clear and meaningful path forward, we partnered with Bridge Building Group, whose expertise in engagement and strategic planning is grounded in creativity, inclusivity, adaptability, and effectiveness. Together, we developed and conducted a Strategic Input Survey for constituents, hosted focus groups with parents, staff, alumni, and members of our broader community, and gathered insights through a full staff meeting and Board focus sessions. These inputs were then clarified and distilled through a series of Task Force meetings and workshops.
We are deeply grateful for our dedicated Task Force members, the valuable contributions of our community, and the thoughtful partnership with Bridge Building Group.
MAR ’24 – JUN ’25
GUIDING STATEMENTS
Our guiding statements define who we are, what we believe in, and what we value. They provide clarity and direction, serving as the foundation for how we teach, learn, and grow as individuals and as a community.
Who We Are
Canada’s international school in the nation’s capital, established in 1891
Mission
To inspire intellectually curious, compassionate, and engaged global citizens
Probitas, Virtus, Comitas — Honesty, Courage, Kindness
Thriving together in a changing world
Values
Academic Excellence and Personal Growth:
We encourage every student to strive for their personal best while learning from high-performing, inspiring teachers.
Pluralism and International Engagement:
We nurture a diverse and inclusive community where global perspectives are recognized through respectful dialogue.
Stewardship and Service:
We empower students to demonstrate leadership, create meaningful impact, and approach challenges by building on traditions with innovation and open-mindedness.
THRIVING IN A CHANGING WORLD
Since its founding in 1891, Ashbury College has guided many generations of students through its programs. In that time, the world has experienced industrial and technological revolutions, global conflicts, economic upheavals, social justice movements, geopolitical tensions, lightspeed innovation, and a growing awareness of environmental sustainability. As we look forward, the promise of rapid and transformative change continues to shape our global community.
At our core, we have always honoured tradition while embracing the future. As we embark on our 135th year, Ashbury has prepared students to thrive in a changing world.
MOVING FORWARD
To thrive together in a changing world, we move forward in a way that balances the following three interconnected strategic directions:
THRIVE
Upholding student success alongside well-being and resilience
CONNECT
Cultivating a strong sense of belonging while deepening our interconnections to community
ADAPT
Being future-ready and technologically advanced, while grounding oneself in the natural world
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
Thrive
STUDENT SUCCESS & WELL-BEING
• Excellence in academic programs
• Innovative and inclusive teaching and learning
• Self-discovery beyond the classroom
• Holistic student well-being and resilience
• Investments in exemplary faculty and staff
Connect
COMMUNITY & BELONGING
• Strong connections across the Ashbury community
• Expanded grade level offerings for families
• Commitment to exceptional boarding
• Pluralism and intercultural understanding
• Meaningful Indigenous partnerships
• Leadership in local, national, and international networks
Adapt
FUTURE-READY & SUSTAINABLE
• Future-ready learning and experiences
• Environmental education and connection to nature
• Enhanced and versatile facilities and spaces
• Robust financial assistance and endowment
• Financial and operational strength
THRIVE
In an ever-evolving world, academic excellence remains a cornerstone of success but true success extends beyond grades alone. At Ashbury, we hold ourselves to the highest academic standards, challenging students to think critically, solve complex problems, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning. However, we recognize that academic rigour must be balanced with mental health, well-being, and resilience. Navigating challenges, both in the classroom and in life, requires not only intellect but also emotional intelligence, adaptability, and self-care. By integrating social-emotional learning, fostering resilience, and teaching students how to manage stress while maintaining their passion for learning, we prepare them not just to excel academically, but to thrive in a changing world.
Student Success & Well-Being
WHAT HOW
Excellence in academic programs
Innovative and inclusive teaching and learning
Deepening our commitment to academic programming that meets student needs from Junior School to pre-university through unique program offerings that include IB, Ministry, and bilingual options.
Committing to best practices and innovation in approaches to teaching and learning, ensuring diverse and multilingual learners thrive through differentiation and student-centered strategies.
Self-discovery beyond the classroom
Holistic student wellbeing and resilience
Empowering students to discover their strengths and passions through co-curricular opportunities and experiential learning while embodying the character tenants of our motto.
Prioritizing programming and services to ensure a supportive environment that nurtures both academic success and personal growth at each stage of child development.
Investments in exemplary faculty and staff
Recruiting and developing a high-performing, diverse, and supportive faculty and staff, ensuring their well-being in a thriving educational environment.
CONNECT
As students navigate the journey of discovering who they are, it’s equally important for them to know they are not alone. In an often-isolating world, we strive to create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and connected. Finding strength in oneself, is essential but so is drawing support from a caring community whether it’s peers, teachers, alumni, or the broader local and global networks of which we are fortunate to be a part. By fostering both self-confidence and meaningful connections, we empower students to grow as individuals while contributing to a thriving, supportive community that values pluralism, embraces diverse perspectives, and encourages engagement across differences.
Community & Belonging
WHAT HOW
Strong connections across the Ashbury community
Expanded grade-level offerings for families
Commitment to an exceptional boarding program
Pluralism and intercultural understanding
Instilling a sense of belonging at Ashbury through alumni engagement, mentorship, cross-grade relationships, and connections with the parent community.
Meaningful Indigenous partnerships
Leadership in local, national, and international networks
Evolving our current offerings to meet the needs of domestic and international families through targeted grade-level expansion towards full-school programming.
Fostering a welcoming and supportive boarding community anchored in a sense of belonging and academic achievement within Ashbury’s unique Canadian context.
Cultivating skills for intercultural engagement and dialogue that strengthen connections within our diverse and international community while advancing our pluralism goals.
Developing and sustaining partnerships with key Indigenous communities, considering the TRC Calls to Action and principles of the Seven Generations Teachings.
Strengthening our engagement across networks, including the IB, Round Square, CAIS, community, and educational partners, to foster collaboration, civic engagement, research, and service.
ADAPT
Preparing for the future means embracing innovation while staying anchored in what makes us human. In a world rapidly shaped by AI and technological advancements, our students must be equipped with the skills to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. But future readiness is not simply about digital fluency; it’s also about knowing when to unplug, reconnect with oneself, and engage deeply with the natural world.
At Ashbury, we strike a balance between new approaches to learning and an appreciation for nature, fostering a sense of responsibility for the planet and a grounding in what truly matters. By embracing both progress and presence, our students will not only shape the future but do so with wisdom, purpose, and care.
Future-Ready & Sustainable
WHAT HOW
Future-ready learning and experiences
Environmental education and connection to nature
Enhanced and versatile facilities and spaces
Cultivating human skills such as, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, compassion, that drive meaningful learning and innovation while equipping students and staff to engage with emerging technologies and AI.
Embedding environmentally sustainable practices and outdoor education throughout campus life while deepening students’ connection with nature.
Robust financial assistance and endowment
Financial and operational strength
Developing and renewing facilities and outdoor spaces to enhance programs while being attentive to accessibility, our heritage campus master plan, environmental goals, and potential off-site opportunities.
Strengthening our financial assistance and endowment strategies for accessibility and meaningful impact.
Managing long-term financial sustainability and operational effectiveness that maintains enrolment strength, stability and risk management practices.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Ashbury College acknowledges its campus is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Anishinàbe Omàmìwininì Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. We recognize the Anishinàbe Omàmìwininì Algonquin Nation as the traditional keepers and stewards of the Ottawa River Watershed and its tributaries. We honour their long history and ongoing protection of this land and their role in caring for this beautiful territory. We recognize the enduring existence and contributions of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit across Turtle Island. As an educational institution, we are committed to increasing the awareness of Indigenous peoples, advancing Truth and Reconciliation and developing meaningful and positive partnerships with Indigenous peoples in our region.
KIKENINDAMOJIWEWIN ANISHINÀBEWAKÌWANA
Ashbury Kichi Kikinàmàdinàn ogìkenindànàwà atenig Anishinàbe Omàmìwininìwakìng Algonquin ega wìkàd kà mìgiwàniwang akì, wayeshkàd. Ninisidawiniwànànig Anishinàbe Omàmìwininiwag Algonquin wìnawà nàgadawàbandamowàdj kaye nàgadawenindamowàdj
Odàwà Zìbì kaye kakina wàkahì sìbìn. Ni Kijeweninmànànig ondje àyànikàdj odànikeyàdjimowiniwàn eji nàgadawàbandamowàdj iyo kechi kwenàdjiwang akì. Nigìkenindànànàn kìbi ànimi ziwàdj kaye kì mino pagidinigewàdj ogog kakina Màyàmindji Nitam Pemàdizidjig, Àbitawizìg, kaye Àshkìmeg eyediwehì enigokwàg iyo Mikinàk Minitig. Niga pàjigwàdizimin kidji kikenindamokìyàng kàbi Awakàzodjig ogog kà abidjig kikinàmàdinànikàng, ashidj niga mino wìdjikiwemànànig ogog Màyàmindji Nitam Pemàdizidjig ondaje wàkàhì.
