Toronto school rankings 2026: the parent’s guide to top schools, city by city

Hi, I’m Inderpal. Parents ask me the same question every week: “Which Toronto 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.

Toronto’s top-rated secondary schools

Fraser lists most Toronto high schools under “Toronto”, so here they are together. Schools marked † take students by application or audition, not by address.

Top schools in Toronto, city by city

Toronto (central, East York, York)

For the younger years, St Sebastian CS leads at 10.0/10. 47 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.

Top-rated elementary schools

Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Toronto real estate guide · moving to Toronto

North York

For the younger years, Avondale Alternative ES † leads at 10.0/10. 4 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.

Top-rated elementary schools

Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: North York real estate guide · moving to North York

Scarborough

For the younger years, Iroquois Junior PS leads at 10.0/10. 14 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.

Top-rated elementary schools

Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Scarborough real estate guide · moving to Scarborough

Etobicoke

For the younger years, Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School leads at 9.3/10. 4 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.

Top-rated elementary schools

Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Etobicoke real estate guide · moving to Etobicoke

Private and independent schools in Toronto

These independent schools write EQAO tests and were rated in the latest Fraser report cards:

Many well-known independent schools do not take part in EQAO testing, so Fraser does not rate them. Families often shortlist these too:

• Upper Canada College, Toronto (boys, SK–12)
• Havergal College, Toronto (girls, JK–12)
• Branksome Hall, Toronto (girls, JK–12)
• The Bishop Strachan School, Toronto (girls, JK–12)
• Crescent School, Toronto (boys, Grades 3–12)
• University of Toronto Schools, Toronto (Grades 7–12)
• Toronto French School, Toronto (JK–12)
• Bayview Glen, Toronto (preschool–12)

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)

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Ask about “holding schools”. In fast-growing areas a full school can send new families to another school until space opens.
4. 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.
5. French-language boards (Viamonde, MonAvenir) have admission rules based on French-language rights. Check before you count on them.
6. Call the board before your conditions expire and keep the answer in writing. Boundaries are reviewed and can change.
7. 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

• Toronto DSB (public)
• Toronto Catholic DSB
• Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French public)
• CSC MonAvenir (French Catholic)

More school guides: York Region · Peel Region · Durham Region · Halton Region · GTA overview

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