Best Secondary Schools in Toronto for 2026

Key Highlights of Best Secondary Schools in Toronto

• The top secondary schools in Toronto, both public and private, keep leading the city’s rankings for 2026. This is because they have great academic excellence and strong programs.
• Families in Toronto can pick from schools that are good at Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and STEM programs.
• Schools like Ursula Franklin Academy and William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute are known for their big focus on science and technology.
• Students who want to shine in the arts do well at well-known arts-focused schools in the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
• Private schools in Toronto, such as USCA Academy, give a lot of help to international students and have high university placement rates.
• With lots of extracurricular activities, these schools help students with personal growth, making them great choices if you want both good grades and a well-rounded experience.

Introduction

Are you trying to find the best secondary schools in Toronto for 2026? Picking the right public or private school can shape your child’s future. The right school will give your child good secondary education. It will also offer many extracurricular activities and strong academic programs.

School rankings in Toronto come from things like academic excellence, how diverse the student body is, how many students get into university, and special options in STEM and the arts. The schools in Toronto give your child a place that suits their interests. They also focus on helping each child reach their ambitions. With the right school, your child can get support for both personal and academic success.

Discover the Best Secondary Schools in Toronto for 2026

Toronto is home to many of the best secondary schools. These schools do well in the main academic subjects and offer many extracurricular activities. The Toronto District School Board and the Fraser Institute often share reports about top public and private schools that help students grow. There are different programs for students in these schools, like STEM and the arts. This means each family can find the right secondary school for their child based on what the student wants to achieve.

To help you with your choice, we have put together a list of Toronto’s top-ranked secondary schools for 2026. We look at what makes each school special and what features stand out. Keep reading to find out which schools are best for academic excellence, fresh ideas, and helping students develop in all areas.

1. St. Michael’s Choir School

St. Michael’s Choir School sits right in downtown Toronto. The school is well-known among private schools for how it helps students grow in both their classes and the arts. Run by the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music and the Toronto Catholic District School Board, this secondary school offers strong academics and a one-of-a-kind music program.

Getting in can be tough. You need to apply and also go through an audition. The tuition stays the same for the choral program because the school is focused on this special area. The thing that makes St. Michael’s Choir School unique is how it teaches students to be able to do things for themselves and to keep on learning all their lives. This is clear in music and the visual arts in the school.

• The school is known for helping students become hardworking and balanced people.
• Here you get both regular school classes and top-level music lessons.
• St. Michael’s is perfect for students who want to do well in school and take their artistic talents further.

2. USCA Academy

USCA Academy in Toronto is a top private school. It is praised for its strong focus on academic excellence and for having a welcoming learning environment. The school is a top choice for many local and international students. Its courses help students get into great universities, and graduates often go to well-known colleges. Learn more about USCA Academy’s programs and admissions.

The academy is known for supporting international students in the student body. It helps them adjust easily and feel at home. The school teaches a wide range of academic subjects and cares about each student’s personal growth. The guidance students get is the best, which makes USCA stand out in Toronto.

• Offers AP courses and advanced STEM programs
• High university placement rates for graduates
• Exceptional international student support and diverse extracurriculars

3. Ursula Franklin Academy

Ursula Franklin Academy is in the High Park area. This is a public high school run by the Toronto District School Board. People often talk about the small student body and the school’s STEM focus. With only 500 students, it’s easy to know each other and get lots of help. The teachers at this high school push for academic excellence and work with the students to use science, technology, and new ideas.

The classes at Ursula Franklin Academy help students with personal growth and teach them how to be responsible. They want students to become good global citizens. Every year, this public high school gets in the top spots in city and provincial ratings. This makes it one of the top secondary schools in Toronto.

• Focus on STEM education and small community atmosphere
• High provincial and city academic performance ratings
• Strong commitment to student well-being and social responsibility

4. Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts

Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts gives you a unique opportunity to mix strong academic subjects with high-level training in the visual arts and performing arts. This place is part of the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and you have to audition to get in. This helps make sure the student body is filled with talented and passionate people.

At Cardinal Carter Academy, we help students grow by building creativity and letting you express yourself. The faith-based setting makes students feel supported. If there is room, students can join any time during the year. You can choose from music, drama, dance, or visual arts, and find a place that is both welcoming and gives you a good challenge.

• Specialized arts programs that are part of your academic subjects
• Support for your full and complete personal growth and creative success
• Open to students through auditions all year

5. Leaside High School

Leaside High School is a well-known public high school under the Toronto District School Board. It is in the Leaside area and has between 900 and 1,000 students. The school is known for high marks in the Toronto school rankings for 2024. It gives students a good mix of academics and other activities.

This high school has many Advanced Placement courses and a strong French Immersion program. Students with many different interests can find what they want here. Leaside High School also cares about sports and the arts. Some of its former students have gone on to do well in sports, politics, and the arts.

• Strong AP and French Immersion offerings
• Impressive academic standing in provincial rankings
• Wide range of clubs and sports teams supporting personal growth

6. Earl Haig Secondary School

Earl Haig Secondary School is in North York. It is one of the biggest public secondary schools in Toronto. There are more than 2,000 students in the school. Earl Haig hosts the well-known Claude Watson Arts Program. Students can learn about dance, drama, music, and visual or film arts in this program.

The school is known for its academic excellence. Earl Haig also offers many great extracurricular activities. The staff at Earl Haig Secondary School work hard to help all students grow in both their studies and their arts. The student body at the school is very diverse. This brings a lively energy to the school, and students get the chance to learn about many different subjects.

• Hosts the acclaimed Claude Watson Arts Program
• Extensive academic and extracurricular offerings
• Highly professional staff fostering academic and artistic success

7. William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute

William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute is a public high school located in Bathurst Manor. This high school is well-known for the focus it puts on STEM education and helping with personal growth. The MaCS program (Mathematics, Computers, and Science) at william lyon mackenzie has a strong name across the city. Many students who like technology, math, and the sciences want to go here.

William lyon mackenzie offers industry-centered programs. One example is the Focus on Information Technology. These courses give students what they need to keep studying after secondary education or get ready for a career. At this public high school, people feel welcome. The staff offers a lot of support to help each student meet goals for both learning and personal growth.

• Well-known for the MaCS STEM program and AP courses
• Puts the spotlight on technology and engineering certifications
• Helps students work on growing as a person and doing well in school

8. Branksome Hall

Branksome Hall is one of the best private schools in Toronto. It is known for its strong International Baccalaureate (IB) program and welcoming learning environment. This all-girls school focuses on both academic excellence and personal growth. Students are prepared to do well at top universities in Canada and around the world.

The IB program at Branksome Hall helps students think in new ways and become aware of what is happening in the world. The campus offers many activities outside of class, giving students a chance to learn even more. The environment at Branksome Hall helps students build good leadership skills and make friends that last for a long time.

• Full IB school with a focus on academic excellence
• Wide array of extracurricular and leadership opportunities
• Welcoming environment for local and international students

9. Upper Canada College

Upper Canada College is one of the top private schools for boys in the area. It is known for having a great alumni network and for helping students get into the best universities. The school uses an advanced curriculum with AP classes. UCC works hard to teach leadership, so students be ready for top universities around the world.

The teachers combine strong lessons with modern buildings that have everything needed for both study and sports. UCC looks at each boy’s own skills and helps him develop leadership with good values. This makes it the perfect home for students who are motivated and want to do well.

• The school is known for getting students into great universities and offering AP classes
• There are strong traditions here along with new buildings for learning and sports
• Students get a lot of help as they grow, learn, and do their best

Comparing Academic Programs, Extracurriculars, and Fees in Toronto’s Top Secondary Schools

Knowing about the differences in academic programs, after-school activities, and tuition fees at the top secondary schools in Toronto can really help you decide. Each school has its own mix of IB, AP, STEM, and arts programs. These programs can change the way students learn in school and affect their personal growth.

If you or your family are looking at private or international secondary school options, it is important to think about support services and how much you will have to pay. The table below shows the main differences in programs, fees, and other resources. This can help you choose the right secondary school that matches what your child wants for the future and supports their personal growth in a good learning environment.

IB, AP, STEM, and Arts: Specialized Program Availability

Specialized programs play a crucial role in distinguishing the best secondary schools in Toronto. Schools like Branksome Hall and Upper Canada College are IB and AP leaders, while William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute and Ursula Franklin Academy are favored for STEM excellence. Visual and performing arts thrive at Cardinal Carter Academy and Earl Haig Secondary School, giving students a unique opportunity for creative growth.

The following table details the availability of these programs across Toronto’s leading institutions:

School Name	IB Program	AP Courses	STEM Focus	Arts Program	Tuition (Annual)	International Student Support
St. Michael’s Choir School	No	Limited	No	Music/Visual Arts	~$5,000 (choral fee)	Moderate
USCA Academy	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	~$16,000+	Extensive
Ursula Franklin Academy	No	No	Yes	No	Public (Free)	Moderate
Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts	No	No	No	Arts (Audition)	Public (Free)	Moderate
Leaside High School	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Public (Free)	Moderate
Earl Haig Secondary School	No	Yes	Yes	Claude Watson Arts	Public (Free)	Moderate
William Lyon Mackenzie C.I.	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Public (Free)	Moderate
Branksome Hall	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	~$36,000	Extensive
Upper Canada College	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	~$36,000+	Extensive

Parents should weigh these options based on their child’s academic interests and extracurricular passions.

Extracurricular Opportunities, Tuition Fees, and International Student Support

Extracurricular activities in Toronto’s best secondary schools help students grow in many ways. These schools have clubs, sports, and arts programs. That helps students with learning and personal growth. The choices are both public and private. Public high schools do not charge tuition for local students. Private schools do charge, but they also give more help, especially for international students.

It can be hard to pick the right secondary school. There are some useful sources that help parents look at school results and see what the schools offer. The Fraser Institute ranks schools. The Toronto District School Board gives information. School websites also share details. Explore more about how to select the best school on our blog.

• Private schools offer good help for international students.
• All top schools have extracurricular activities like sports, arts, and leadership to help with personal growth.
• There are many resources to help compare fees, programs, and what the school is like.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing the right secondary school for your child in Toronto is very important. It can play a big part in their school life and what they do later in life. The schools on this list have many different programs. They also give students a chance to join in after-school activities and give help to students from other countries. This helps each child get a well-rounded education.

When you look at your options, think about things like what kind of academic programs the school has, like IB or AP. Also, look at how many students go on to university, and compare tuition costs. This will help you pick the right secondary school that fits your child’s needs. Every child is different. Knowing what each school gives can help you make the best choice.

If you want more information or advice made just for you, feel free to get in touch with us today!

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