Are you planning to buy a home in Oakville? If you’re a parent, there are many family-friendly neighbourhoods to choose from. As you narrow down your options, one of the most important things you’ll likely want to consider is the quality of local schools. It starts with some basic knowledge about the best places for your kids to get the education they deserve.
Here are some of the top-notch schools in Oakville for parents to consider:
James W. Hill Public School
This southeast Oakville learning environment is one of the finest in the area. First off, James W. Hill in Clearview receives an impressive 8.7 out of 10 from the Fraser Institute—which is widely regarded as the authority on Canadian schools.
If that’s not enough, it also gets good scores from the Education Quality Accountability Office (EQAO). This provincial institution administers testing for sixth and ninth-grade students in reading, writing, and math. Learners at James W. Hill consistently perform well.
Lastly, the school boasts an impressive roster of extracurriculars. From sports (like basketball and soccer) to music (which includes activities such as jazz band) to the arts and special interests (think clubs devoted to film, the environment, and cursive writing), there’s something here for every student.
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E J James Public School
Located in Eastlake, E J James Public School earns a stellar ranking from the Fraser Institute. It’s also the right place to send your kids if you want them to receive a fantastic French Immersion education. Half of the instruction at this top-notch school is in English, and the other half is in French.
E J James also fares well with the EQAO. Students at the school earn outstanding scores across subject areas. Recently, its staff has also been rethinking its approach to problem-solving and math. From encouraging collaborative thinking to creating a Community Math Night for parents, the steps the school has taken are garnering impressive results.
Forest Trail Public School
If you’re looking to give your kids an unbeatable education in West Oak Trails, Forest Trail Public School is a safe bet. It’s acquired a Fraser Institute ranking of 9 out of 10—and its students have certainly earned their above-average EQAO scores.
The school offers a wide variety of online educational resources, from Dreambox (a fun, interactive platform for math) to Raz Kids (an online tool which offers children’s ebooks and much more). It’s what little ones and their parents need at a time when so much learning is happening at home.
Al-Falah Islamic School
Local families who want to give their kids a quality Islamic education are in luck. Oakville’s Joshua Meadows neighbourhood is home to one of the best options in the country.
Al-Falah focuses in part on what it calls character education, which includes values such as conservation of nature, acceptance of diversity, and gratitude. When it comes to academics, it embraces a creative approach. Students even have the opportunity to participate in math contests through the University of Waterloo.
St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School
When it comes to educational excellence, it doesn’t get better than St. Mildred’s-Lightbourne—which scores a perfect 10 from the Fraser Institute. For over 125 years, this independent school has been helping girls become future leaders and global citizens.
From preschool through grade 12, attendees enjoy a solid academic education, impressive extracurriculars, top-notch sports instruction, and a learning environment that fosters creativity and growth. From its outdoor classrooms and peaceful gardens to its art studios, gymnasiums, and student lounges, the St. Mildred’s-Lightbourne campus is located in the prestigious Morrison neighbourhood and is the ideal place for the daughters of Oakville to prepare for the future.
Munn’s Public School
At the time of this writing, Munn’s Public School has an impressive 9.9 rating from the Fraser Institute! Though rankings can change slightly from one year to the next, there’s no doubt that this is one of the top elementary schools in Oakville.
Serving students from Grade 2 to 8, the school has built a reputation in the community for its superb French Immersion program, as well as scores in Math, Reading, and Writing that are far above the provincial average. The school is located in Oakville’s College Park neighbourhood.
St. Luke Catholic Elementary School
Located in the Clearview neighbourhood, St. Luke Catholic Elementary School serves students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. This is another institution with an exceptional Fraser rating. Its quality of education attracts families from all backgrounds, not just those from the Catholic faith.
In addition to its rigorous academic program, St. Luke also offers numerous extra-curricular activities where children have an opportunity to learn new skills and form lifelong friendships. Soccer, basketball, and volleyball are among the top sports activities. In addition, students can develop their musical and artistic talents through the school band and musical training.
St. Vincent Catholic Elementary School
St. Vincent Catholic Elementary is located in the Morrison neighbourhood, and is one of the top schools in the province. Its quest is to instill both spiritual and academic excellence in all its students, and programs run from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
A variety of sports activities are available after school. In addition, clubs such as Mad Science, Battle of the Books, Silver Birch and Red Maple Book Club, and Concert Band encourage a sense of curiosity, wonder, and a love of art.
St. Matthew Catholic Elementary
The Catholic elementary school in the Glen Abbey neighbourhood is highly sought after by parents of young children for a reason. Exceptional scores in Math, Reading, and Writing tend to be the norm rather than the exception.
Through its peer assistance initiatives, children learn to support each other while discovering their own unique talents. Stellar academic performance isn’t the only draw to St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School. A warm and inviting atmosphere makes it a friendly place for students to learn and uncover their full potential.
Pilgrim Wood Public School
Pilgrim Wood Public School in the Glen Abbey neighbourhood offers an impressive Fraser ranking, as well as an excellent reputation in the community for its commitment to student safety and excellence. There are a variety of initiatives to help students realize their unique gifts, including French Immersion starting in Grade 2 and a gifted program from Grade 1 to 5.
Oakville Trafalgar High School
Located in the Morrison neighbourhood, this highly sought after institution also has an exceptional Fraser ranking thanks to consistent above average results on standardized tests. The school offers numerous support programs designed to help students become well adjusted young adults.
Advanced Placement is one of the most highly recognized university preparation programs in Canada. This allows ambitious teens the chance to study courses such as Calculus, Economics, and Computer Science and Biology at a college level. Based on performance, students may even earn credit towards their college programs, saving them time and tuition fees upon acceptance into post secondary education.
Iroquois Ridge High School
Iroquois Ridge High School is as exceptional as the neighbourhood it is named after. The school is home to an Art & Design Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Program, which trains students for careers in the creative industries and technology. Hands-on learning opportunities are encouraged through workshops, field trips, and competitions, all of which makes for an exciting and engaging high school experience.
Facilities include two art studios, a professional television studio, as well as fully equipped lab rooms where students can hone and fine tune valuable skills and expertise. Iroquois Ridge also offers an Advanced Placement program to help students gain acceptance into the college or university of their choice.
École secondaire Gaétan-Gervais
Do you think your teen would benefit from a French education? Oakville’s École secondaire Gaétan-Gervais is in Oakville’s College Park neighbourhood. It was designed for French as a first language students; however, it’s also an ideal option for fluent young adults looking to enhance their communication skills even more.
Students tend to perform well in Mathematics, and the percentage of those who pass their OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) is close to 100%. École secondaire Gaétan-Gervais is also a member of the International Baccalaureate (IB), which also makes it a top choice for Oakville parents.
Abbey Park High School
For parents who wish to help their teens succeed early in life, Abbey Park High School is a premium option in the Glen Abbey neighbourhood. Programs include Advanced Placement, SHSM, and Strings, all of which allow students to develop critical and creative thinking skills, in addition to gaining acceptance into post secondary education.
Abbey Park consistently earns high marks from the Fraser Institute year over year, and an expansive curriculum serves students from varying backgrounds and skills. It also provides access to the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, which helps graduates explore opportunities in the skilled trades.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
The mission of St. Ignatius of Loyola is two fold: to foster a sense of dignity, respect, and equity in all students, while producing a generation of conscious and critical thinkers. The innovative curriculum is based on STEAM, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
Located in Glen Abbey, St. Ignatius of Loyola offers three SHSM programs, Social Justice, Communication Technology, and Health and Wellness. There’s also a top-tier French Immersion program for those who want to expand their communication skills and career options in the future. Upon graduation, students tend to be well-rounded and ready for success, with a vast foundation of knowledge, empathy, and the ability to apply it in the real world.
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Garth Webb Secondary School
Named after a decorated veteran, Garth Webb Secondary School is one of Ontario’s top schools. Located near the West Oak Trails neighbourhood, it offers an expansive curriculum and special services, including a superb French as a second language program. SHSM programs include a focus on Environmental Sciences and Energy.
A fascinating Robotics department and robust Health and Physical Education program help to prepare students for the modern world, both physically and mentally.
With so many outstanding schools in Oakville, how do you find the right option for your child? Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure you make the right decision. After doing your research online, you might consider a scheduled visit to any school that looks like a contender.
Are you relocating to Oakville and want to be within the catchment area of the top rated schools? Work with a knowledgeable real estate team (like the Tanya Crepulja Team) who understands the neighbourhoods of interest.
Looking for the right home in the ideal family-friendly community? We can help! Get in touch today at tanya@tcteam.ca or call 647-293-3785 to benefit from our Oakville expertise.
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Reach out to tanya@tcteam.ca or call 647-293-3785 with any questions.
