Durham Region school rankings 2026: the parent’s guide to top schools, city by city
Fraser ratings for public and Catholic schools in every Durham city, the private schools families shortlist, and how to make sure your new address goes to the school you want.
By Inderpal Sidhu · Updated October 2026 · 9 min read
Hi, I’m Inderpal. Parents ask me the same question every week: “Which Durham Region neighbourhoods have the best schools, and how do I make sure we actually get in?” This guide answers both, city by city, with the latest Fraser Institute ratings for public and Catholic schools, the independent schools families shortlist, and the checks I do before any family offers on a home.
A note from Inderpal
Moving for a school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. You are not just buying a house, you are choosing your kids’ friends, their walk to class and the next ten years of mornings. My job is to make sure the school you fall in love with is the school your address actually goes to. I check every home against the board’s locator, I tell you about holding schools and program boundaries before you offer, and I never pressure you to rush. Call or text me anytime at 647-338-6875.
How to read these rankings (kindly)
The ratings below come from the Fraser Institute’s latest Ontario report cards, published at compareschoolrankings.org. Elementary schools are rated on Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO reading, writing and math results (3,052 schools ranked, released January 2026). Secondary schools are rated on Grade 9 math and the Grade 10 literacy test (747 schools ranked). Ratings are out of 10.
Please read them kindly. A rating measures test results, not how happy or safe a child is, how good the teachers are, or how much a school helps kids who need extra support. Many great schools sit in the 6 to 8 range. Use the rating as a starting point for your list, then visit.
Top schools in Durham Region, city by city
Pickering
The highest-rated high school here is Dunbarton HS (7.3/10, #158 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, William Dunbar PS leads at 8.4/10. 1 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Dunbar PS | Public | 8.4 | #231 of 3,052 |
| Elizabeth B Phin PS | Public | 7.7 | #480 of 3,052 |
| Gandatsetiagon PS | Public | 7.6 | #532 of 3,052 |
| Rosebank Road PS | Public | 7.5 | #589 of 3,052 |
| Maple Ridge PS | Public | 7.3 | #702 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunbarton HS | Public | 7.3 | #158 of 747 |
| St Mary CSS | Catholic | 7.1 | #201 of 747 |
| Pine Ridge SS | Public | 4.9 | #559 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Pickering real estate guide · moving to Pickering
Ajax
The highest-rated high school here is J Clarke Richardson CI (7.2/10, #178 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, St Francis de Sales CS leads at 8.9/10. 1 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Francis de Sales CS | Catholic | 8.9 | #126 of 3,052 |
| Alexander Graham Bell PS | Public | 7.8 | #447 of 3,052 |
| St Josephine Bakhita CES | Catholic | 7.5 | #589 of 3,052 |
| Eagle Ridge PS | Public | 7.1 | #811 of 3,052 |
| ÉÉC Notre-Dame-de-la-Jeunesse-Ajax | French Catholic | 7.1 | #811 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Clarke Richardson CI | Public | 7.2 | #178 of 747 |
| Notre Dame CSS | Catholic | 7.1 | #201 of 747 |
| Archbishop Denis O'Connor CHS | Catholic | 5.9 | #401 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Ajax real estate guide · moving to Ajax
Free school-zone home list
Tell me the school. I’ll send homes inside its boundary.
Name the school (or two), your budget and timing. I check every address on the school board’s own locator before I send it to you, so you are not guessing from a listing description.
Whitby (incl. Brooklin)
The highest-rated high school here is Donald A Wilson SS (8.4/10, #46 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, Earl A Fairman PS leads at 9.5/10. 5 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earl A Fairman PS | Public | 9.5 | #56 of 3,052 |
| St Paul CS | Catholic | 8.8 | #149 of 3,052 |
| Colonel J E Farewell PS | Public | 8.4 | #231 of 3,052 |
| Captain Michael VandenBos PS | Public | 8.0 | #351 of 3,052 |
| Chris Hadfield PS | Public | 7.7 | #480 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donald A Wilson SS | Public | 8.4 | #46 of 747 |
| All Saints CSS | Catholic | 7.9 | #95 of 747 |
| Anderson Collegiate and Vocational Institute | Public | 7.9 | #95 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Whitby real estate guide · moving to Whitby
Oshawa
The highest-rated high school here is Maxwell Heights SS (6.9/10, #238 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, École élémentaire Antonine Maillet leads at 9.1/10. 3 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| École élémentaire Antonine Maillet | French Public | 9.1 | #97 of 3,052 |
| Northern Dancer PS | Public | 8.2 | #287 of 3,052 |
| Seneca Trail PS | Public | 8.1 | #313 of 3,052 |
| Coronation PS | Public | 7.3 | #702 of 3,052 |
| St John XXIII CS | Catholic | 6.9 | #927 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxwell Heights SS | Public | 6.9 | #238 of 747 |
| R S Mclaughlin Collegiate and Vocational Institute | Public | 6.4 | #326 of 747 |
| O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute | Public | 5.7 | #440 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Oshawa real estate guide · moving to Oshawa
Clarington (Bowmanville, Courtice)
The highest-rated high school here is Bowmanville HS (6.4/10, #326 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, École élémentaire Viola-Léger leads at 9.3/10. 1 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| École élémentaire Viola-Léger | French Public | 9.3 | #74 of 3,052 |
| Duke of Cambridge PS | Public | 7.7 | #480 of 3,052 |
| St. Joseph CES | Catholic | 7.7 | #480 of 3,052 |
| Dr Emily Stowe PS | Public | 7.0 | #873 of 3,052 |
| Monsignor Leo Cleary CES | Catholic | 6.8 | #993 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowmanville HS | Public | 6.4 | #326 of 747 |
| St. Stephen CSS | Catholic | 6.1 | #367 of 747 |
| Courtice SS | Public | 5.7 | #440 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Clarington real estate guide · moving to Clarington
Private and independent schools in Durham Region
Many well-known independent schools do not take part in EQAO testing, so Fraser does not rate them. Families often shortlist these too:
- Trafalgar Castle School, Whitby (girls, Grades 5–12)
- Kingsway College, Oshawa (secondary)
- Durham Christian High School, Bowmanville (secondary)
Every school listed here appears in Ontario’s official list of private schools. Tuition, entrance tests and waitlists vary a lot, so check each school’s website and visit. Buying near a private school does not affect admission, but a shorter drive matters for years.
How to register: forms, documents and deadlines
Here is everything you need to actually get your child into the school, straight from each board. Registration happens after you have a firm deal or lease, because every board asks for proof of your new address. If you are buying, your agreement of purchase and sale usually counts, so you can often register before closing day.
Kindergarten: Kindergarten is a free, two-year program. JK is for children who turn 4 by December 31, and children must start school in September of the year they turn 6. (Ontario.ca)
Durham DSB (public)
Register for school · Kindergarten registration · French Immersion · Specialty programs (IB, AP, arts) · Boundary reviews and planning
Bring these documents
- Proof of citizenship/residency status (birth certificate, passport, PR card or study permit)
- Proof of Durham address (agreement of purchase and sale, title, lease or property tax assessment)
- Immunization records
- Custody papers if they apply
French Immersion: French Immersion starts in Grade 1. Kindergarten is at the English home school, then families move to the nearest French Immersion school in the spring before Grade 1.
Specialty programs: SHSM, the Durham Integrated Arts program, French Immersion and regional programs.
Durham Catholic DSB
Register for school · Kindergarten registration · French Immersion · Specialty programs (IB, AP, arts) · Boundary reviews and planning
Bring these documents
- Proof of age (birth certificate or passport)
- Proof of citizenship/residency status
- Proof of Durham address
- Baptismal certificate (child or parent)
- Immunization and allergy information
Who can attend: Elementary admission is for Catholic children or children of a Catholic parent, shown by a baptismal certificate.
French Immersion: French Immersion starts in Grade 1. Year 2 kindergarten families register online, usually from late November.
Specialty programs: Regional Arts and Media Program, SHSM, OYAP and STEM.
Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB (public, Clarington)
Register for school · Kindergarten registration · French Immersion · Specialty programs (IB, AP, arts) · Boundary reviews and planning
Bring these documents
- Birth certificate
- Immunization record
- Proof of address
- Custody papers if they apply
French Immersion: French Immersion starts in Senior Kindergarten: JK is at the home school, then children move to the French Immersion school.
Specialty programs: IB and Integrated Arts. Some schools are closed to students from outside the boundary.
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic DSB
Register for school · Kindergarten registration · French Immersion · Specialty programs (IB, AP, arts) · Boundary reviews and planning
Bring these documents
- Proof of date of birth
- Proof of address (utility, property tax, purchase agreement, mortgage statement or lease; not driver’s licence or cell bill)
- Baptismal certificate if applicable
- Immunization record
Who can attend: Children who are baptized Catholic or have a Catholic parent are eligible for their local school. Other children are considered under the board’s admission procedure.
French Immersion: French Immersion starts in kindergarten. Info meetings are held before February kindergarten registration.
Specialty programs: SHSM, dual credit, co-op and OYAP.
French-language schools: Children of French-language rights holders (Section 23) are admitted. Other families meet with an admission committee, which includes a French-language assessment. Viamonde admission · MonAvenir registration · Ontario: French-language education
Private schools run their own admissions: usually an online application and fee, an entrance assessment or interview, and report cards, often a year ahead for popular grades. Apply early and ask about waitlists.
Dates to put in your calendar: kindergarten registration mostly opens in January, French Immersion windows run November to February, and high school specialty program (IB, arts, AP) applications are mostly due in November. Moving mid-year? You can register any time once you have proof of address.
Buying in a school zone: my 7-step checklist
- Check the exact address on the board’s school locator, not the listing. Boundaries follow streets, and two sides of one street can go to different schools. I do this for every home before I send it.
- Look at both the public and Catholic schools. In Ontario both are publicly funded. Catholic boards may ask for baptism or parish information at registration, so check the board’s rules.
- Ask about “holding schools”. In fast-growing areas a full school can send new families to another school until space opens.
- Program boundaries are different. French Immersion, IB, AP, gifted and arts programs often draw from a wider area and many need an application or audition. Schools marked † below take students that way.
- French-language boards (Viamonde, MonAvenir) have admission rules based on French-language rights. Check before you count on them.
- Call the board before your conditions expire and keep the answer in writing. Boundaries are reviewed and can change.
- Visit the school. A rating is a test-score summary. Ask about class sizes, clubs, special education support and the feel of the place.
Check any address with the school board
- Durham DSB (public)
- Durham Catholic DSB
- Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB (public, Clarington)
- PVNC Catholic DSB (Catholic, Clarington)
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French public)
- CSC MonAvenir (French Catholic)
Free school-zone home list
Tell me the school. I’ll send homes inside its boundary.
Name the school (or two), your budget and timing. I check every address on the school board’s own locator before I send it to you, so you are not guessing from a listing description.
More school guides: York Region · Peel Region · Halton Region · Toronto · GTA overview
FAQ
What is the best high school in Durham Region?
In the latest Fraser Institute report card, the highest-rated secondary school in Durham Region that takes students by address is Donald A Wilson SS (Whitby) at 8.4 out of 10. Ratings measure test results only, so visit the schools on your shortlist.
Which Durham Region elementary schools are rated 10 out of 10?
None scored a perfect 10 in the latest report; the highest is Earl A Fairman PS at 9.5. These are public and Catholic schools; some independent schools also scored 10.
Does buying a home guarantee a spot at the school?
No. Living in the boundary gives you the right to register at your home school, but a full school can direct new students to a holding school, boundaries can change, and specialty programs need an application. Check the exact address with the board before you remove conditions.
How do I check which school an address goes to?
Use the school board’s own locator with the exact address, for both the public and Catholic board, then call the board to confirm. Do not rely on the listing description. I do this for every home I send to clients.
What documents do I need to register my child?
Most boards ask for proof of age (birth certificate or passport), proof of address (an agreement of purchase and sale, property tax bill or lease plus a utility bill), immigration status if born outside Canada, and immunization records. Catholic boards also ask for a Catholic baptismal certificate for the child or a parent. Each board’s list is on this page.
Are Catholic schools free in Ontario?
Yes. Catholic elementary and secondary schools are publicly funded in Ontario. Boards may ask for baptism or parish information at registration, so check the board’s admission rules.
Questions? Call, text or WhatsApp me. I answer personally.
Call or text 647-338-6875Sources
Fraser Institute: Report Card on Ontario’s Elementary Schools
Fraser Institute: Report Card on Ontario’s Secondary Schools
Fraser Institute school rankings (compareschoolrankings.org)
Ontario Data Catalogue: public school list (board for each school)
Ontario Data Catalogue: private school list
Durham DSB (public) school locator
Durham Catholic DSB school locator
General information only, not legal, tax or mortgage advice. Rebate and lending rules change; confirm with a real estate lawyer, mortgage professional and the CRA before you sign. Inderpal Sidhu, Salesperson, HomeLife Silvercity Realty Inc., Brokerage.