Our Lady of the Way School

About Our Lady of the Way School

Our Lady of the Way School is a kindergarten to grade 8 school located in Stratton, Ontario, Canada. Stratton is approximately 400 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, ON and 300 kilometres east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Our school is located 3 kilometres west of Parks Canada's Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung 

Our Lady of the Way School is a member of The Northwest Catholic District School Board. In addition to Stratton, The Northwest Catholic District School has schools in: Atikokan, Dryden, Fort Frances and Sioux Lookout, ON.

Our Lady of the Way School celebrates the sacrament of the Eucharist at: Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Rainy River, ON, Our Lady of the Way Parish in Pinewood, ON and St. Patrick’s Parish in Emo, ON.​

Our Lady of the Way School officially opened on September 27, 1987. “Our Lady of the Way” invokes Mother Mary’s guidance as students journey through life. “Ecole Notre Dame Du Chemin” is the French interpretation of the English name. “Bakite Waabigwan” is the Ojibwe name given to the school by Anne Wilson of Rainy River First Nations. The name originates from the legend of “Bakite Waabigwan” which translates to “White Water Lily” and symbolizes the desire of the Creator to become closer with His people. It is said that the Creator dropped a star into the water in the form of a water lily so that His people could be near Him.

Mark Hyatt was the principal of Our Lady of the Way from the school’s opening in 1987 to 1993 and was proceeded by: Harold Huntley (1993-1997), Mark Hyatt (1997-98), Linda Huntley (1998-2000), David Sharp (2000-2003), Ron Fryer (2003-04), Brendan Hyatt (2005-10), Darlene Fejos Rousseau (2010-13), Brendan Hyatt (2013-14), Kim Anderson (2014-17) and Lisa George (2017-2020). 

On September 26, 2012, Our Lady of the Way School commemorated 25 years of Catholic Education in the west end of the Rainy River District and continues to serve students in Stratton and its surrounding communities.​