Best Elementary Schools in Ontario

Key Highlights of Best Elementary Schools in Ontario

• Best Elementary Schools in Ontario excel with strong EQAO scores, personalized teaching, and enriched extracurricular opportunities.
• Find out that schools tend to look at academic performance by using test scores from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).
• Know the main ways public schools and private schools in Ontario are different. They have their own curriculum. They also each have their own way to let students in.
• Learn that what makes a school one of the best is not just about the rankings. The way teachers teach and things like clubs and sports matter too.
• Get ideas about how school boards in Ontario help with the school curriculum. They also help to take care of students all over the province.

Introduction

Picking the right elementary school for your child is a big decision. There are a lot of elementary schools in Ontario, and it can be hard to choose the one that will be good for your child. But you can use some tools to help you look at all the options. The Fraser Institute is an educational organization that gives out a yearly report card. This report card shares the Fraser Institute’s list with the Ontario elementary school ranking. It helps people find the best elementary schools in Ontario.

The report helps you check how schools do with academic performance. You can read this to see and compare different schools. This way, you get to see which one may be good for your child’s learning and works for your family. Let’s look at how this can help you pick the right school and make your kid’s school years better.

10 Best Elementary Schools in Ontario (Comparison Table)

When you look at elementary school rankings, you will see that several schools keep getting a perfect score each year. A lot of schools reached the top score, so this list can help you start your search.

Here is a table that shows some top elementary schools in Ontario. The list has private, public, and Catholic schools. These schools are known for good academic results. They are also chosen because they make sure to give students a strong place to learn. The schools do well in rankings of elementary schools in Ontario, and give students good support.

School Name	Curriculum Type	Grades Offered	School Type	Average Annual Fees	Notable Features
USCA Academy	Ontario Curriculum, IB Prep	K–12	Private / International	$14,000–$22,000	High academic standards, strong ESL & global student support
Upper Canada College	IB Programme	SK–12	Private (Boys)	$36,000–$45,000	Academic excellence, leadership development
Blyth Academy	Ontario Curriculum, Small Classes	Grades 4–12	Private	$20,000–$25,000	Personalized education, strong mentorship
St. Michael’s Choir School	Ontario Curriculum, Music Focus	Grades 3–12	Catholic Private	$8,000–$12,000	Renowned choir, strong academics
Elmwood School	IB Programme	JK–12	Private (Girls)	$28,000–$35,000	STEM focus, leadership & innovation programs
John Ross Robertson Public School	Ontario Curriculum	JK–6	Public	Free	Top EQAO scores, strong parent involvement

What Makes an Elementary School “The Best” in Ontario?

The best elementary schools in Ontario are known for their good academic performance. The teachers in the schools care about the students. There are many after-school activities that the students can join. The schools have a friendly feel to them. Parents get to be a part of the school; they meet and talk with teachers a lot. This helps make the place better for all students to learn in.

Academic Excellence Indicators

Many parents want to see their kids do well in school. In Ontario, test scores are a big part of how they check if elementary schools are doing a good job. The Education Quality and Accountability Office, also called the accountability office, gives reading, writing, and math tests to students in Grades 3 and 6. These test scores are used to make yearly school rankings for elementary schools. The Fraser Institute then shares these rankings.

When you read a school’s report card, try to find if the academic performance is steady or getting better over time. This shows the school is doing well and that things there are stable. A few signs to help you see strong academic performance are:

• The school gets high EQAO test scores. These scores are above the average in the province.
• The school has a strong spot in the Fraser Institute’s yearly report.
• The teachers use a curriculum that pushes students to do well and helps all the ways they learn.

Schools can have choices such as French Immersion, arts, or IB programs. These can change how students do in school.

Annual rankings of Ontario elementary schools

Teaching Quality Factors

• The quality of teaching really matters for your child’s success in school. Good teachers help students feel excited to learn. They give students personal support and make the classroom feel positive. Even though groups like the Fraser Institute may not measure teaching quality directly, it is still very important in any strong school.
• School boards are key to making sure teaching standards stay high. They find qualified teachers, set up ongoing training, and make sure schools have what they need for teaching and learning. When you visit a school, look at how teachers and students interact with each other. Ask about how experienced the staff is and how they teach.
• If you want to find the best public elementary schools, think about how well the local school boards help their teachers. A school with strong guidance from the board and real caring from teachers will probably give your child a great start. Schools with support from school boards, the fraser institute, and accountability offices help teachers feel good about their work and students feel cared about too.

Holistic Education Elements

A holistic education supports every part of the child’s development. It’s not only about classroom learning. The things that happen outside lessons, like after-school activities, matter too. Schools in Ontario with more programs outside normal lessons have more ways for students to join in and pick up new skills. You should look for schools that offer:

• A lot of sports teams and ways to play or watch different games.
• Clubs for things people like, such as robots, chess, debate, and caring about the earth.
• Good arts classes that let you try music, drama, and also drawing or painting.

These activities help students work as a team. They also help students be creative and feel more sure of themselves. Because of this, school life can feel more fun and full for everyone.

School Environment

• A positive school environment is very important for a child’s happiness and for them to do well. The best schools in Ontario make sure that every child is safe, treated with respect, and feels included, both in their feelings and their actions.
• Top elementary schools in Ontario put effort into teaching kindness, responsibility, and being part of a group. They also help parents, teachers, and students feel close and work together as one team.
• When you look at a school for your child, ask about their rules against bullying, what help they give students, and how they welcome families. The way people talk and act with each other every day—and the feel of the school—can tell you more than just looking at rankings.

Public vs. Catholic vs. Private Elementary Schools in Ontario

Type of School	Funding Source	Admission Policy	Curriculum	Unique Features
Public Schools	Funded by the government	Open to all local students	Standard Ontario curriculum	Managed by local school boards
Catholic Schools	Government-funded with religious content	Open to all local students	Standard Ontario curriculum plus religious teachings	Offers a faith-based education approach
Private Schools	Primarily funded by tuition fees	Selective admission processes	Varies (includes IB and Ontario curriculum)	Smaller classes, special programs, different teaching methods

In Ontario, there are three main types of elementary schools. These are public, Catholic, and private schools. Each type gets money from different places. They all have different rules for who can join. The lessons at each type of school can also be different. This shows there are many ways for students to study and learn in Ontario.

Rankings say both private and Catholic schools often do very well. But there are also many public schools that get high scores. This means you can find good education in all types of elementary schools in Ontario.

Key Takeaways for Parents

Picking a school is a big thing. It can even affect where you and your family look for a home. A good real estate agent often knows about the best elementary schools around. But you should also do your own homework before you pick. The Fraser Institute rankings are a good place to begin. Still, you should not let the Fraser Institute or its rankings be the only thing you use to decide.

The best school for your child is the one that fits them well. It also needs to match what your family thinks is important. You should keep these things in mind when you are looking:

• Look Beyond Test Scores: The test scores and rankings from fraser institute are important, but they don’t show the whole story. These numbers will not tell you much about how the teachers teach or how people feel at the school.
• Visit the Schools: Take time to go see the elementary schools in person. You can look at the classrooms, feel how the school works, and talk to the principal or teachers.
• Talk to Other Parents: Try and talk with parents whose children are in the schools you are thinking about. They can give you real advice and their own thoughts.
• Consider the Whole Picture: When you choose a school, look at the classes, the extras offered, and how the school makes you feel. You want what is best for you and your child.

You can go to Fraser Institute Rankings if you want to find out more about the top elementary schools in Ontario. The site the fraser institute gives updated rankings. Use it to see where schools stand in your area and get good info before making any decisions.

Conclusion

Choosing the best elementary schools in Ontario is very important for your child. The school you pick helps shape their way of learning and how they grow over time. Look at things like how good the teachers are, what students can learn, and how the school helps kids in many parts of life. You can choose public schools, Catholic schools, or private schools.

Each of these has something different and special that could be right for your child. Visit the schools with your child, talk to the teachers, and find out how to join the school. Doing this gives you a good feel for what is the best way for your kid. If you have any questions or want help, get in touch with us. The team will give you answers that fit what you need.

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