W.O.M. was founded in 1998 as part of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. It is located at 80 Steeple Chase Drive. There are approximately 420 students as of 2009-2010. W.O.M. gets an influx of grade 7 students from other schools that only go up to grade 6. The school has many clubs, sport teams and has a large gym, stage, and a computer lab. Different fundraising festivals are held frequently. One notable festival is W.O.M. Fest, which occurs once every year. The school has two wings, two floors, a large yard, six portables and a kindergarten area that was renovated in 2004 because of a large flood. The gym was also replaced for the same reason. On December 19, 2011, the school experienced the same issue, with the exception that the water was shut off, thus preventing major damage. The issue has since been resolved by SimplexGrinnell. The kindergarten wing went through major renovations, and is now open again. Nowhere else in the school was affected. The process took a little bit over a month to complete, however, no one worked during winter break.
Learning
Programs
W.O. Mitchell Elementary School features many programs, including Early French Immersion, a Gifted program, and more. The school also has its own grade 7/8 band, and successful sports teams.
Music
W.O. Mitchell Elementary School has, over the course of its history, had grade 6, 7 and 8 bands, as well as jazz ensembles and other small ensembles. Many of these ensembles have entered in music festivals where they have earned awards. A grade 8 band was formed in 2011 for the upcoming year. Instrumental Music is taught as part of the curriculum and students participate in grade recitals as well as concerts in the community. Grade 7 and 8s have a choice of 10 instruments; 8 can be chosen by anyone, and the other 2 require that students pass a test.
Sports
W.O. Mitchell Elementary School participates in many sports, including track and field, cross country, and basketball. The gym walls are lined with many banners, with more being won each year. During second recess, depending on which day, different grades have intramural. The intramural sport is usually the sport currently being taught in class. W.O.M. is also home to two winners of the OCEAA Coach of the Year award. Derek Tysick won the award in 2011, followed by Heather McGrath in 2012.
Success
W.O. Mitchell Elementary School reading and writing results are above both board and provincial standards.
Some of the clubs and extra curricular activities that are run at the school include the Student Council, Athletic Council, Reel Cool Productions, and Chess Club. There is also an annual Science Fair, as well as numerous sports teams. Every two years, the school mounts a full-scale musical production, performed primarily by intermediate students.
