People from all over the country relocate to Toronto, specifically the East End, for several reasons. If our lively festivals don’t get you, the gorgeous scenery will, and if not, we also have not one, not two, but four absolutely fabulous beaches. That alone is enough to have many of us packing our bags!
We could also talk for hours about all the fun things to do, in addition to the charm and history of our end of the city. One topic that the kids prefer not to bring up is about the schools.
Parents, however, will be thrilled to know that Toronto has some of the best schools in Canada, bar none, and many of them are right here in the East End. Today, we’ll explore some of the resources for finding the best fit where your child can thrive at every age.
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All the Details at the Toronto School Boards
The school board websites are an excellent resource when searching for specifics. You can quickly find out what schools are in your catchment area, as well as any extra-curricular activities or support systems that may be available.
Toronto public elementary and secondary schools fall under the Toronto District School Board, whereas Catholic schools are overseen by the Toronto District Catholic School Board. Below is a list of options right here in the East End that consistently rank high each year.
East End Elementary Schools to Watch:
- Pape Avenue Junior Public School
- Kew Beach Junior Public School
- Jackman Avenue Junior Public School
- Williamson Road Junior Public School
- Withrow Avenue Junior Public School
- St. John Catholic School
Highly Rated East End Secondary Schools
- Malvern Collegiate Institute
- Riverdale Collegiate Institute
- Monarch Park Collegiate Institute
- Notre Dame High School
Are you planning a home purchase to be close to the schools of Toronto’s East End? Here are some of the ways Declute Real Estate can help.
Official, Third-Party Validation for Toronto’s Top Schools
Researching a school by reading its page on the board website is similar to learning about a product from an advertisement. You can get the facts, but the information isn’t always as unbiased as you’d like. To dive deeper, you can review third-party sources like the Fraser Institute and the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).
Both are primarily based on standardized tests. Admittedly, these are not everything when it comes to choosing a quality school.
(Some of us remember freezing up in terror whenever the teacher announced a pop quiz, never mind a test that would go on provincial records. A child could be a bright, hardworking student who simply doesn’t perform to their full potential under this kind of pressure.)
That’s why it’s important to review a school from multiple angles. Excellent rankings are a good sign that the teachers and staff are doing something right.
However, a slightly lower score isn’t necessarily bad, especially if a school offers a welcoming environment or a particular education path that better serves your child.
Enrollment in Ontario Catholic and public schools is primarily based on your catchment area. That’s yet another reason to choose one of our incredible East End Toronto neighbourhoods! Learn more in the posts below:
- Buying Your First Home? Why East Toronto Is Perfect
- 7 Reasons to Move to East Toronto
- Choosing a Neighbourhood: The Top 8 Things to Think About
More About The Fraser Institute
The Fraser Institute is a private organization that assesses a school’s performance based on test results in mathematics, reading, and writing. The organization relies on information provided by the EQAO, and other valuable subjects like trades training, the arts, and physical education are not considered.
That’s why it’s important to gather as much information as possible and consider all factors. The Fraser scores can be the start of your research, but shouldn’t be your highest priority. Whenever you want to see the official ratings for a specific school, you can use their simple search tool.
The Education Quality and Accountability Office
The EQAO is Ontario’s provincial agency that administers assessments to students in Grade 3, 6, 9 and 10, as well as the Ontario Mathematics Proficiency Test. You get more than a grade; you’ll also get an idea on how much children like these subjects and whether or not they believe they excel in them.
These assessments are about helping students and schools improve rather than just handing out grades. Interestingly enough, there is also a self-directed learning and collaboration metric, where students evaluate their own learning experience. Parents can see if students believe that doing their best at school is important to them and if they will keep trying when a subject is difficult.
What kind of homes are available in the East End today?
Find out here in our featured listings.
Investigating Toronto East End Schools
Choosing a school isn’t just about average test scores. While a reputation for high academic achievement is reassuring, you also want a place where students thrive in every way, not just on test day.
By taking a well-rounded approach, you can find a classroom setting that feels welcoming and safe. When your child develops a lifelong love of learning, a multitude of future possibilities await!
Do you have your eye on a home in Toronto’s East End? Our team is happy to guide you through the buying process! Get in touch with us at 416.686.9618 or email info@declute.com today.
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