Why the Best Schools Are in Toronto

There are countless reasons to choose Toronto when on the hunt for a new home for your family. Outstanding career opportunities and a lifestyle that is second to none are high on the list.

For families, few things matter more than access to quality education, which is yet another major draw to Toronto. Whether you’re interested in a public, Catholic, or private curriculum, you have your choice of the best of the best. In this post, we’ll give you an overview of all of your options in Toronto.

Want to stay up to date with the latest in Toronto real estate? Get news about our latest listings and insights on the market by subscribing to our newsletter.

Toronto Public Schools

Toronto’s public schools all fall under the umbrella of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Canada’s largest board serves approximately 235,000 students across more than 500 elementary and secondary schools throughout the region. That’s not even mentioning the more than 100,000 people in the Adult Continuing Education Programs!

The board’s website is a one-stop resource for all things education-related, such as finding your catchment area and discovering Toronto’s multi-year strategic plan for all schools. Families also have access to before and after-school programs as well as support for mental health and well-being.

There are EQAO Math resources to help students in Grades 3, 6, and 9 prepare for standardized tests, virtual learning for those who cannot attend in person, and support for international students.

Alternative schools exist to support those who thrive in different educational settings and benefit from creative teaching methods. There are gifted programs for those ready for a more challenging curriculum, special education, French immersion, and flexible scheduling for high-level athletes. Whatever your child’s learning needs may be, you are sure to find a school to match, right within the TDSB.

Did you know that just being in the proximity of a good school can positively impact your home value? Learn more in Should You Buy a House Close to a School?

Catholic Schools

Parents who prefer a religious education have excellent alternatives throughout the City of Toronto. The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) oversees 193 elementary and secondary schools, plus two combined schools, two alternative learning centres, and a virtual learning school.

Toronto Catholic schools abide by the same high standards set by the Ontario Curriculum as outlined by the Ministry of Education, but they do it while promoting the principles of the faith.

Support resources include early learning and child care programs, mental health assistance, apprenticeship opportunities, Specialist High Skills Major for grades 11 and 12, and extended French Immersion programs.

Do you want to know more about living in Toronto or Etobicoke? The posts below will give you a clearer picture:

An Abundance of Private Alternatives

Toronto’s highly reputable private schools especially appeal to affluent families. Note: some of these follow the Ontario curriculum; others abide by their own guidelines. Without a provincial standard, it is up to the parent to do their due diligence to find the right fit for their child.

The good news is that private schools are open to students from all over who meet their admission standards and have access to adequate funding. There is no limitation based on catchment area.

What happens if you find a school that seems like a match? You can dive deep and do more thorough research by following these steps outlined by the Ministry of Education. They even maintain a list of private schools that offer credits toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). To a large extent, Toronto’s private alternatives offer small class sizes and individualized attention that help students meet, if not exceed, provincial standards.

Are you ready to start the search for your next home in Toronto? The posts below can help:

Why the High Standard?

If you’re still wondering why Toronto has the best schools, perhaps it’s because the economically and culturally diverse population expects a higher standard. As far as we are concerned, there is a more straightforward explanation: it’s because everything is better here!

That’s not just our bias showing; the data really does support this. Look up anything to do with any metric, and Toronto almost always comes out at number one. Just ask Google:

What Canadian city has the most parks? Toronto. Etobicoke alone has its share of incredible green spaces, as we’ve written about here.
What Canadian city has the highest number of festivals? Toronto. (Although we do duke it out with Montreal. Each year, there are hundreds of events to look forward to each year. We get special points for the iconic Toronto Film Festival, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, and the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE, more famously known as “The Ex”).
What Canadian city has the most restaurants? Toronto. Next question:
What Canadian city has the most museums? Toronto, including the Royal Ontario Museum, which hosts many educational programs and workshops.

Now, back to the topic at hand:

What Canadian city has the most schools? Toronto, although, to be fair, we also have the highest population.
What Canadian city has the most universities and colleges? Toronto, including major campuses like the University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and OCAD University (Canada’s oldest and largest art and design university).
Bonus Question: What is the Best Canadian University? The University of Toronto consistently earns top rankings year after year.

We will stop here because you get the idea. As a major leader on the world stage, Toronto boasts numerous amenities and benefits that are difficult to find elsewhere. Superb schools are at the heart of everything we love about the city, at all levels, all the way from preschool to post-grad. For families, or anyone, really, there’s no better place to be.

Are you looking for the perfect place for your family to call home? Our Toronto luxury real estate agents can help you make your dream a reality. Reach out to ana@asantos.ca or call us at 416.575.7317 to take the next steps.