Choosing a high school in Ontario means sifting through hundreds of options, each with its own strengths, programs, and community. Rankings can help narrow the field, but they don't tell you everything about fit, culture, or whether a school will actually work for your family.
This guide walks you through how Ontario high schools are ranked, which schools consistently score highest, what to look for beyond test scores, and how to find the right match for your child.
How Ontario high school rankings work
There is no single "best" high school in Ontario. Rankings depend on whether you prioritize academics, specialized arts or tech programs, or community fit. The main source used to rank Ontario high schools is the Fraser Institute's Report Card on Ontario's Secondary Schools, a yearly report that ranks 747 schools on a 0–10 scale based on standardized provincial test results.
Think of it like a report card for schools, not students. The data comes from the EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office), which administers province-wide tests in math and reading. The rankings also include results from the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test), a literacy exam all Grade 10 students write to graduate.
The Fraser Institute looks at seven indicators:
- Grade 9 math scores: Average achievement on the EQAO math assessment (58 per cent met the standard in 2024-2025)
- First-time OSSLT pass rate: Percentage of students who pass the literacy test on their first attempt (85 per cent met the standard in 2024-2025)
- Previously eligible OSSLT pass rate: How students who didn't pass the first time perform
- Below-standard results: Percentage of tests that fall below the provincial standard
- Gender gaps in math: Differences between male and female students in Grade 9 math
- Gender gaps in literacy: Differences in OSSLT pass rates between male and female students
The metrics offer insight into how schools are performing right now and how they're improving or declining over time. However, they don't capture everything—like school culture, teacher quality, or extracurricular offerings—so families often use them as a starting point rather than the final word.
Top-ranked high schools in Ontario by academic score
Four Ontario high schools share the top spot in the latest rankings, each earning a perfect 10/10. St. Michael's Choir School in Toronto, St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham, St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill, and St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic High School in Richmond Hill consistently post exceptional EQAO and OSSLT results year after year.
Just behind them, Ursula Franklin Academy in Toronto scores 9.7, while Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Markham earns 9.5. Olive Grove School in Mississauga ranks at 9.4.
Catholic and independent schools dominate the top spots academically, but that doesn't mean public schools aren't excellent. Several rank very closely behind. The Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and Thornhill, consistently produces some of the highest-ranked schools in Ontario outside the city itself.
Best high schools in Toronto
Toronto offers a mix of top-performing public, Catholic, and independent schools. St. Michael's Choir School is the top-ranked independent Catholic school for boys in Toronto, consistently scoring a perfect 10. Ursula Franklin Academy is a public alternative school with a strong academic reputation and a focus on science and social justice.
Earl Haig Secondary School is a large public school in North York known for its Claude Watson Arts Program, among the most competitive arts programs in Canada. Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute is highly regarded for its TOPS program (Talented Overachievers Program in Science), which offers enriched math, science, and technology courses. Rosedale Heights School of the Arts is another public arts-focused school with strong creative programming.
Other high-scoring Toronto schools include:
- Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute
- Leaside High School
- Bloor Collegiate Institute
All three rank between 9.0 and 9.2 on the Fraser scale. Each has its own strengths, from academic rigor to specialized programs, so visiting open houses and talking to current students can help you understand which environment fits best.
Top specialty and arts schools in Ontario
Not every student is chasing the highest EQAO score. Some schools are known for specialized programs—selective programs within a school that students apply to separately, often with auditions or assessments.
Unionville High School in Markham is famous for its Arts York program, a competitive, audition-based program covering visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa is consistently among the top-ranked schools and home to a highly regarded International Baccalaureate (IB) program. IB is a globally recognized, more rigorous curriculum than the standard Ontario curriculum and is recognized by universities worldwide.
Earl Haig Secondary School in Toronto offers the renowned Claude Watson Arts Program for students seeking intensive arts training. Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute in Toronto runs the TOPS program for students with a strong interest in math, science, and technology.
Programs like IB, Arts York, and TOPS often have separate application processes, entrance exams, or portfolio requirements. Planning ahead is important if your child is interested in applying.
Best secondary schools in Ontario outside Toronto
Strong schools exist across the province, not just in Toronto. Parents and students in Ottawa, the GTA suburbs, and other regions have excellent options.
Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa is top-ranked in the capital and among the province's highest-scoring schools, with a strong IB program and consistent academic performance. Abbey Park High School in Oakville posts consistently high Fraser Institute scores and is a well-regarded public school in Halton Region.
St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham holds a perfect Fraser Institute score and is a top Catholic school in York Region. St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill is another perfect-scoring Catholic school in York Region. Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Markham is a high-scoring Catholic school in the York Region Catholic District School Board.
The Greater Toronto Area—including Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and Thornhill—consistently produces some of the highest-ranked schools in Ontario outside the city itself. However, cities like Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and Waterloo also have schools that rank in the top 100 provincially, so families outside the GTA have strong local options.
Public, Catholic, and independent schools compared
Many families are unsure of the differences between public, Catholic, and independent schools in Ontario. Here is a practical comparison.
Public schools are funded by the province, open to all students in the catchment area, and charge no tuition. They represent the largest group of schools in Ontario.
Catholic schools are also publicly funded in Ontario but tied to the Catholic faith. They're open to Catholic families primarily, though policies vary by board. Some accept non-Catholic students if space permits.
Independent (private) schools are not government funded, charge tuition, and set their own admissions criteria. They often have smaller class sizes and specialized programs. Tuition can range from a few thousand to over $30,000 per year, depending on the school.
What to look for beyond the Fraser Institute ranking
Rankings are a useful starting point, but they don't tell the whole story. Specialized programs like IB, AP (Advanced Placement), French Immersion, or specialist arts and tech options can match your child's interests and strengths. Some schools share university acceptance rates or post-secondary pathways—ask during a visit if this matters to you.
Student support services are worth investigating. Guidance counsellors, learning support staff, and mental health resources vary widely from school to school. Extracurricular activities—teams, clubs, student government, and arts programs—contribute to a well-rounded experience and often matter as much as academics for student engagement.
Commute and catchment area also play a role. The "best" school on paper isn't always best if the commute is long or if your child feels disconnected from the community. Visiting schools, attending open houses, and talking to current families can reveal what the rankings don't capture.
How to find the right high school for your child
1. Use the Fraser Institute school rankings tool
Go to compareschoolrankings.org to look up schools by postal code and compare overall scores, trends, and subject-level data. You can see how schools have improved or declined over time, which can be just as revealing as a single year's score.
2. Check your school board's website
Find your local board via the Ontario Ministry of Education website. Review catchment maps, program guides, and application deadlines. Specialty programs like IB, arts, and TOPS often have separate timelines, so mark those dates early.
3. Attend school open houses
Most Ontario high schools host fall open houses for Grade 8 students. Open houses are the best way to gauge school culture, ask questions, and meet teachers. Bring a list of questions about class sizes, extracurriculars, and support services.
4. Talk to current students and parents
Rankings don't capture culture, teacher quality, or daily experience. Conversations with families inside the school can provide insight no metric will. Ask about homework load, how approachable teachers are, and whether students feel supported.
How tutoring can help your child thrive at any Ontario high school
Regardless of which school a student attends, academic support can make a real difference. This is especially true during the transition to high school or when preparing for competitive program applications.
Preparing for specialty program applications is one common reason families seek tutoring. Programs like TOPS, Arts York, and IB demand strong foundations in math, literacy, or portfolio skills. A tutor can build skills and confidence before applying, giving students a better shot at competitive spots.
Keeping up with a rigorous curriculum is another reason. High-ranking schools move quickly, and tutoring helps prevent small gaps from becoming big problems. Boosting grades for university preparation matters too—Grade 11 and 12 marks are what Ontario universities look at for admissions, so targeted tutoring can help maximize averages when it counts most.
If your child could use some extra support, find a tutor on TutorLyft.
FAQs
They are scored on a 0–10 scale based on provincial standardized test results, including EQAO and OSSLT data. The ranking uses seven indicators related to math and literacy performance and gender gaps in those results.
