Beacon Hill is a primarily residential area. It is split into Beacon Hill North and South, and is divided by Montreal Road. Sub neighbourhoods include Beaconwood, Cardinal Heights, Rothwell Heights and Rothwell Village. It is most likely that the community drew its name from a lighthouse in the Ottawa River. The lighthouse is no longer there, but it is thought that the light from the river could be seen from the top of the hill, hence Beacon Hill. Colonel by High School is located within Beacon Hill and is the only school in Ottawa that offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program.