Choosing a high school in London, Ontario means weighing more than just test scores—you're looking for the right mix of academics, programs, and community fit for your child. The Fraser Institute rankings give you a starting point, but the best school is the one where your student will actually thrive.
This guide walks you through London's top-ranked high schools, explains how the ratings work, and shows you what to consider beyond the numbers when making your decision.
Top-ranked high schools in London, Ontario
London Central Secondary School, Oakridge Secondary School, and A. B. Lucas Secondary School consistently rank as the city's top public high schools. Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School lead among Catholic options. All five offer strong academic results, diverse programs like International Baccalaureate (IB), and well-rounded extracurricular activities.
The Fraser Institute publishes the most widely used rankings in Ontario. Their ratings score high schools out of 10 based on province-wide EQAO test results. EQAO stands for Education Quality and Accountability Office—the provincial agency that administers standardized literacy and math tests. A higher score means students at that school generally perform above the provincial average on standardized assessments.
1. London Central Secondary School
Fraser Institute score: 8.7 (latest available)
Known for: Strong academics, arts programs, and enrichment opportunities
London Central is the city's highest-ranked public high school. The school has a long track record of strong academic performance and competitive extracurriculars. Its downtown location puts it in the Woodfield neighbourhood, and the school is known for a robust music and arts scene alongside enriched pathways and advanced courses.
London Central operates on a non-semester schedule. That means students take all their courses throughout the full year rather than splitting them into two separate terms.
2. Oakridge Secondary School
Fraser Institute score: 8.1 (latest available)
Known for: IB pathway and a strong community feel in the west end
Oakridge sits in a residential west-end neighbourhood and consistently scores well on provincial assessments. The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) option—a two-year program for grades 11 and 12 that emphasizes critical thinking, research, and global awareness. IB is recognized by universities worldwide and often gives students an edge in competitive admissions, with IB students being 57% more likely to enter top-tier institutions.
Families often mention the welcoming school culture and active clubs when they talk about Oakridge. The school balances rigorous academics with a tight-knit community feel.
3. A. B. Lucas Secondary School
Fraser Institute score: 8.0 (latest available)
Known for: Strong academics with deep extracurricular offerings
A. B. Lucas serves north London and has a reputation for balancing classroom excellence with athletics, arts, and leadership opportunities. The school offers a wide range of Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) pathways. SHSM programs let students earn specialized credits in career areas like health, technology, or business while completing their regular diploma requirements.
Families often praise the supportive culture at A. B. Lucas. The school also offers programming for gifted students—one of only two Thames Valley District School Board secondary schools with that option.
4. Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School
Fraser Institute score: 7.9 (latest available)
Known for: Faith-based environment and strong STEM/health programming
Mother Teresa is the top-ranked Catholic high school in London. The school combines strong academic results with values-based learning rooted in the Catholic faith. Students benefit from SHSM options, especially in health and wellness, and well-supported pathways to college and university.
The school is the largest in the London District Catholic School Board. It features modern facilities including a double gym, fitness room, library, performance stage, and indoor track.
5. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School
Fraser Institute score: 7.7 (latest available)
Known for: Well-rounded academics and community involvement
St. Thomas Aquinas offers a strong Catholic education with solid results across core subjects. The school is known for an engaged community, active co-curriculars, and SHSM choices that help students tailor learning to future goals. St. Thomas Aquinas has a particularly strong reputation for athletics—the girls' and boys' hockey teams have won numerous championships.
The school sits in the Oakridge neighbourhood of west London. Roughly 60% of students take the school bus, with eligibility for those living more than 3.2 kilometres away and within the school boundary.
6. Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School
Fraser Institute score: 7.5 (latest available)
Known for: Science and health-focused opportunities, plus IB option
Sir Frederick Banting is named for the co-discoverer of insulin. The school leans into science and health-related programming and offers the IB pathway for students seeking added academic challenge. Banting is located in northwest London and has active clubs and teams.
The school also provides enrichment programs for students looking to go beyond the standard curriculum. Banting prepares students equally well for college, university, and the workforce.
7. École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont
Fraser Institute score: 8.0 (latest available)
Known for: London's dedicated French-language secondary school
École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont serves Francophone students in French. This is different from French immersion—Gabriel-Dumont provides a fully francophone environment for students who qualify as rights-holders under Ontario's French-language education laws. The school operates under Conseil Scolaire Viamonde and serves grades 7 through 12.
Gabriel-Dumont maintains strong academic outcomes and prepares students for post-secondary study in either language. The school is located in the Summerside neighbourhood on Evans Boulevard.
Note: Scores shown reflect the latest Fraser Institute data available at the time of writing. Rankings can shift year to year as new test results come in.
How London high schools are ranked in Ontario
The Fraser Institute rates Ontario high schools out of 10 using results from province-wide EQAO standardized tests. A higher score indicates students at that school tend to perform above the provincial average. Rankings give you one useful signal, but they don't capture everything about school fit, programs, or student support.
The rating system looks at a few key factors:
- Standardized test results: How students perform on Ontario's EQAO assessments in literacy and math
- Year-over-year trends: Whether scores are improving, holding steady, or declining over time
- Provincial comparison: How the school stacks up against other high schools across Ontario
EQAO tests happen at specific grade levels to measure how well students are meeting Ontario curriculum expectations. The results get published publicly, and organizations like the Fraser Institute use them to create rankings.
What to look for beyond the ranking
A Fraser Institute score is helpful, but the best school is the one where your child will actually thrive. You'll want to consider the programs available, the school's culture, and the day-to-day support your child will receive. Often, those factors matter just as much as a test score.
Here's what to weigh alongside rankings:
- Specialist programs: Some schools offer arts, STEM, French immersion, or co-op programs that might align with your child's interests
- School culture: Extracurriculars, clubs, and community feel can shape a student's experience just as much as academics
- Class size and support: Smaller schools or those with strong student services can make a real difference for students who benefit from extra help
- Commute and catchment: Proximity matters—check whether your address falls within the school's boundary before planning
You might be thinking that a top-ranked school automatically means the right fit. However, a student who loves drama might flourish more at a school with a celebrated arts program than at the highest-ranked academic school in the city. The ranking tells you one part of the story, not the whole picture.
Key programs offered at London high schools
London high schools offer more than the standard Ontario curriculum. Many provide specialized pathways that let students go deeper in areas that excite them. As you compare options, look for the following program types and how they're supported at each school.
French immersion and French-language education: For families wanting bilingual or Francophone schooling—École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont is London's dedicated French-language option. French immersion programs are available at several English-system schools, where students take some or most of their courses in French.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM): A provincially recognized program that bundles focused credits in a specific career area like health, arts, or technology. SHSM is available at several London schools, with programs offered in 19 different sectors across the province. For example, a student in the health SHSM might take biology, health courses, first aid certification, and a co-op placement at a hospital or clinic.
International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP): Rigorous academic pathways for students aiming for competitive university programs. IB is an internationally recognized diploma program that runs over two years in grades 11 and 12. AP courses let students earn university-level credits while still in high school.
Co-operative education (co-op): Students earn credits through real workplace experience. Co-op is available at most London high schools and gives students hands-on learning in fields they might want to pursue after graduation.
