About Us

Welcome to our school! Please explore our website to learn more about the many exciting programs and helpful supports we offer.

Need more information? Contact details for the school are available at the bottom of our website.

Emily Stowe Public School is the new name for the former Norwich District High School building, which was renovated to house all the elementary students when Otterville P.S., Norwich P.S. and North Norwich P.S. were closed in June 2012.

 A committee of the board was tasked with selecting a new name from those submitted by the community. The committee included two representatives from each of the 3 schools that were merged into the new school in September 2012.

Emily (Jennings) Stowe was Canada's first female doctor. She was born in Norwich on May 1, 1831. Stowe was the great granddaughter of Peter Lossing and was born to Quaker couple. At age 15 she began to teach grade school in the Norwich area and eventually, by saving salary, was able to enter Normal School where she earned her First Class Teacher's Certificate in 1854. That same year she was appointed as principal of Brantford Public School becoming the first woman principal in Canada. She married, John Stowe in 1856 and moved with him to Mount Pleasant. They had three children. After her husband battled tuberculosis Stowe decided to pursue a medical career.

She applied to the faculty of medicine at Victoria College in Toronto but found that no female students were accepted. She then enrolled at the New York medical college for women. Emily Jennings Stowe became the first woman doctor in Canada in 1867 when she returned home to Ontario to set up a practice in Toronto.

Before and After School Program

Families wishing to register in the School Age Program must contact the School Age Director:

Before School Care is available from 7:00 am - 9:00 am 

After School Care is available from 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm

School Age Director:  Shelby Rose

Office Number: 226-926-4431

Email Address: srose@ymcawo.ca

If you have any questions or concerns about the School Age Program at Emily Stowe, please feel free to contact the director at any time.

Healthy Snack Program

The Healthy Snack provides each of the children a choice of two snacks periodically throughout their school day.  These snacks consist of various seasonal fruits, cheese, crackers, vegetables and granola bars.  

The program is funded by the Ontario Student Nutrition Program and by generous donations is run throughout the year by a dedicated group of volunteers.

We are thankful for the Provincial/Local Grants which enable us to provide healthy snack options for each child.