York Region school rankings 2026: the parent’s guide to top schools, city by city
Fraser ratings for public and Catholic schools in every York 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 York 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 York Region, city by city
Markham (incl. Unionville)
The highest-rated high school here is St Augustine CHS (10.0/10, #1 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, St Justin Martyr CES leads at 10.0/10. 34 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Justin Martyr CES | Catholic | 10.0 | #1 of 3,052 |
| ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys-Markham | French Catholic | 9.5 | #56 of 3,052 |
| E T Crowle PS | Public | 9.5 | #56 of 3,052 |
| Ashton Meadows PS | Public | 9.4 | #67 of 3,052 |
| Castlemore PS | Public | 9.2 | #88 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Augustine CHS | Catholic | 10.0 | #1 of 747 |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS | Public | 9.5 | #6 of 747 |
| Markville SS | Public | 9.0 | #18 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Markham real estate guide · moving to Markham
Richmond Hill
The highest-rated high school here is St Theresa of Lisieux CHS (10.0/10, #1 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, Corpus Christi CES leads at 10.0/10. 19 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi CES | Catholic | 10.0 | #1 of 3,052 |
| Silver Stream PS | Public | 9.3 | #74 of 3,052 |
| St Charles Garnier CES | Catholic | 9.3 | #74 of 3,052 |
| Father Henri J M Nouwen CES | Catholic | 9.2 | #88 of 3,052 |
| Christ the King CES | Catholic | 8.9 | #126 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Theresa of Lisieux CHS | Catholic | 10.0 | #1 of 747 |
| Bayview SS | Public | 9.2 | #12 of 747 |
| Alexander MacKenzie HS | Public | 8.5 | #42 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Richmond Hill real estate guide · moving to Richmond Hill
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.
Thornhill (Markham and Vaughan sides)
The highest-rated high school here is St Robert CHS (10.0/10, #1 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, Bayview Fairways PS leads at 9.5/10. 13 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayview Fairways PS | Public | 9.5 | #56 of 3,052 |
| German Mills PS | Public | 9.5 | #56 of 3,052 |
| Bayview Glen PS | Public | 9.3 | #74 of 3,052 |
| Thornhill Woods PS | Public | 8.8 | #149 of 3,052 |
| St Anthony CES | Catholic | 8.5 | #199 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Robert CHS | Catholic | 10.0 | #1 of 747 |
| Thornlea SS | Public | 8.9 | #23 of 747 |
| Stephen Lewis SS | Public | 8.2 | #65 of 747 |
Vaughan (Woodbridge, Maple, Kleinburg)
The highest-rated high school here is Father Bressani CHS (7.6/10, #130 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, St Agnes of Assisi CES leads at 10.0/10. 9 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Agnes of Assisi CES | Catholic | 10.0 | #1 of 3,052 |
| Michael Cranny ES | Public | 9.0 | #110 of 3,052 |
| Herbert H Carnegie PS | Public | 8.4 | #231 of 3,052 |
| St Andrew CES | Catholic | 8.3 | #260 of 3,052 |
| Dr Roberta Bondar PS | Public | 8.3 | #260 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father Bressani CHS | Catholic | 7.6 | #130 of 747 |
| Maple HS | Public | 7.6 | #130 of 747 |
| Tommy Douglas SS | Public | 7.1 | #201 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Vaughan real estate guide · moving to Vaughan
Aurora
The highest-rated high school here is Aurora HS (8.4/10, #46 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, Rick Hansen PS leads at 7.9/10. 3 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Hansen PS | Public | 7.9 | #392 of 3,052 |
| Holy Spirit CES | Catholic | 7.9 | #392 of 3,052 |
| Hartman PS | Public | 7.8 | #447 of 3,052 |
| Highview PS | Public | 7.8 | #447 of 3,052 |
| ÉÉC Saint-Jean | French Catholic | 7.3 | #702 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora HS | Public | 8.4 | #46 of 747 |
| Dr G W Williams SS | Public | 8.3 | #52 of 747 |
| ÉSC Renaissance | French Catholic | 8.1 | #79 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Aurora real estate guide · moving to Aurora
Newmarket
The highest-rated high school here is Newmarket HS (8.5/10, #42 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, Bogart PS leads at 8.6/10. 2 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bogart PS | Public | 8.6 | #182 of 3,052 |
| Stuart Scott PS | Public | 7.9 | #392 of 3,052 |
| Rogers PS | Public | 7.8 | #447 of 3,052 |
| Alexander Muir PS | Public | 7.0 | #873 of 3,052 |
| St Nicholas CES | Catholic | 6.9 | #927 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newmarket HS | Public | 8.5 | #42 of 747 |
| Sacred Heart CHS | Catholic | 7.2 | #178 of 747 |
| Sir William Mulock SS | Public | 6.6 | #294 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Newmarket real estate guide · moving to Newmarket
Whitchurch-Stouffville
The highest-rated high school here is ÉSC Pape-François (7.8/10, #111 of 747 in Ontario). For the younger years, ÉÉC Pape-François leads at 8.7/10. 1 rated public and Catholic schools here score 8 or higher.
Top-rated elementary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| ÉÉC Pape-François | French Catholic | 8.7 | #161 of 3,052 |
| Whitchurch Highlands PS | Public | 7.9 | #392 of 3,052 |
| Barbara Reid PS | Public | 7.7 | #480 of 3,052 |
| Wendat Village PS | Public | 7.5 | #589 of 3,052 |
| Oscar Peterson PS | Public | 7.3 | #702 of 3,052 |
Top-rated secondary schools
| School | Type | Rating /10 | Ontario rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| ÉSC Pape-François | French Catholic | 7.8 | #111 of 747 |
| Stouffville District SS | Public | 7.2 | #178 of 747 |
Neighbourhoods, prices and commute: Whitchurch-Stouffville real estate guide · moving to Whitchurch-Stouffville
Private and independent schools in York Region
Many well-known independent schools do not take part in EQAO testing, so Fraser does not rate them. Families often shortlist these too:
- St. Andrew's College, Aurora (boys, Grades 5–12)
- Pickering College, Newmarket (JK–12)
- Holy Trinity School, Richmond Hill (JK–12)
- The Country Day School, King (JK–12)
- St. Thomas of Villanova College, King (JK–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)
York Region DSB (public)
Register for school · Kindergarten registration · French Immersion · Specialty programs (IB, AP, arts) · Boundary reviews and planning · New schools and holding schools
Bring these documents
- Registration form
- Original birth certificate or passport
- 3 proofs of address: 1 of property tax/MPAC, agreement of purchase and sale, stamped bank letter or CRA document, plus 2 of utility bill, CRA or other government document (leases, driver’s licence, health card, credit card and cell bills are not accepted)
- Direction of Tax Support form if you don’t have a tax bill yet
- Custody papers and health/medication plans if they apply
French Immersion: French Immersion starts in Grade 1. Families declare it through the home school in the January window, and it is not first-come, first-served.
Specialty programs: Specialized arts (Grade 5–8 applications due in January, secondary in November), IB at 5 schools (registration opens in October), Bill Crothers SS sports focus (November), SHSM and AP.
Holding schools: In areas where a new school is being built, the board registers students at a designated holding school until it opens.
York Catholic DSB
Register for school · Kindergarten registration · Registration form (PDF) · French Immersion · Specialty programs (IB, AP, arts) · Boundary reviews and planning
Bring these documents
- Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (child or parent)
- Proof of age and status in Canada
- 2 proofs of address: property tax bill, proof of purchase or lease, plus a utility or landline bill (driver’s licence not accepted)
- Proof of English Separate School Support (tax bill/MPAC or signed support form)
Who can attend: The child or a parent must have a Catholic baptismal certificate, and the family must direct school taxes to the Catholic board.
French Immersion: French Immersion starts in Grade 1 through the admissions portal (elementary registration for 2027–28 opens January 4, 2027).
Specialty programs: IB, AP, arts, French Immersion and STREAM programs; each high school posts its own application steps in late October. The board notes enrolment caps at schools including St. Augustine, St. Theresa of Lisieux and St. Robert.
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
- York Region DSB (public)
- York Catholic DSB
- 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: Peel Region · Durham Region · Halton Region · Toronto · GTA overview
FAQ
What is the best high school in York Region?
In the latest Fraser Institute report card, the highest-rated secondary school in York Region that takes students by address is St Augustine CHS (Markham) at 10.0 out of 10. Ratings measure test results only, so visit the schools on your shortlist.
Which York Region elementary schools are rated 10 out of 10?
St Justin Martyr CES (Markham), Corpus Christi CES (Richmond Hill), St Agnes of Assisi CES (Vaughan). 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
York Region DSB (public) school locator
York 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.