The Best Public and Catholic Secondary Schools in Oakville

With its picturesque lakeside vistas, upscale amenities, beautiful green parks, and an overall family-friendly atmosphere that feels modern yet idyllic, Oakville is quickly becoming a top choice for families seeking the best of the best in the West GTA.

While the aforementioned traits are great factors to consider when choosing a place to live, many parents prioritize buying a home in a neighbourhood close to a top-rated school. Luckily, finding a fantastic school in Oakville is fairly straightforward, with a lot of options to choose from.

Selecting the right secondary school in Oakville is an important decision that lays the foundation for later success. Which is why we’re sharing the best public and Catholic secondary schools in Oakville based on data from the prestigious Fraser Institute.

Are your children a bit younger? Read our guide to the best elementary schools in Oakville.

Note: school scores and boundaries can change. If you’re buying a home for the purpose of being in a specific catchment area, the Tanya Crepulja Team is here to help.

Highly Rated Public Secondary Schools in Oakville

Public schools in Oakville fall under the Halton District School Board, widely recognized as a top performing public school board in Ontario. The schools in this district are known for academic prowess and consistently high results in standardized tests.

The top-rated public secondary schools in Oakville include:

Abbey Park High School

Score 9.3 | Neighbourhood: Glen Abbey

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 supporting the journey of 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.

Getting its namesake from the prestigious Glen Abbey Golf Club, the neighbourhood of Glen Abbey is known in Oakville as one of the top family-friendly communities in a town that is already known for being exceedingly family-friendly.

Iroquois Ridge High School

Score 9.3 | Neighbourhood: Iroquois Ridge

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.

The neighbourhood of Iroquois Ridge boasts green parks, scenic views, and a fantastic recreation centre. Detached homes and townhomes here were built in the 1980s or later, offering larger lots and mature, tree-lined streets.

Oakville Trafalgar High School

Score 9.2 | Neighbourhood: Morrison

Located in the Morrison neighbourhood, Oakville Trafalgar High School is a highly sought after institution. Its exceptional Fraser rankings are 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.

Morrison is an exclusive enclave that often draws comparisons to Toronto’s Bridle Path. Breathtaking custom homes exude luxury while large green lots offer privacy and tranquility while remaining close to Oakville’s great dining, shopping, and recreation.

White Oaks Secondary School

Score 8.8 | Neighbourhood: River Oaks

White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville’s River Oaks neighbourhood is a top-rated school with consistently high scores from the Fraser Institute. The school combines values of learning, growth, and community with an active School Council and volunteer program for parents.

Academically, White Oaks has an extensive offering for all types of students including a SHSM program for grade 11-12, OYAP, French Immersion, and an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. In fact, the Halton District School Board has the longest-standing IB program in the Halton region!

River Oaks is a dynamic community. It’s a suburb with massive appeal for families who enjoy an active lifestyle. With cycling paths, hiking trails, local golf courses, and more, there’s no shortage of things to do. Most of the homes here were built in the 1990s and 2000s, and the neighbourhood is still seeing steady growth and development.

Garth Webb Secondary School

Score 8.5 | Neighbourhood: West Oak Trails

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.

Surrounded by green space, parks, trails, and recreation fields, West Oak Trails is a neighbourhood for families who love a breath of fresh air. This master-planned community offers everything from beautiful detached homes to semi-detached residences, and townhomes, making it a particularly attractive option for families of all ages.

Parent Tip: With so many outstanding options, how do you choose the right secondary school for your teen? Online research is a great start, but most schools will also offer designated Open Houses or accommodated scheduled visits to experience the school in person.

Highly-Rated Catholic High Schools in Oakville

The Halton Catholic District School Board oversees three English-language Catholic schools in Oakville. All of which boast impressive Fraser Institute scores. If you are seeking a top-notch faith-based education for your teenager, here are the options:

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School

Score 8.2 | Neighbourhood: Old Oakville

Right on the homepage of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School website, you’ll see proof of the schools commitment to diversity and inclusion with a list of greetings in a variety of languages. This high school achieves high Fraser scores and offers an excellent faith-based school experience.

With an IB program, Extended French, SHSM, and a respected arts program, students at St. Thomas are well-prepared for post-secondary success.

As one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the area, the history of Old Oakville dates back to the 1800s. Today, it’s one of the most expensive and desirable neighbourhoods in Oakville. Situated between Lake Ontario and Sixteen Mile Creek, Old Oakville is known for its beautiful waterfront estates, historic buildings, and grandiose aesthetics, all while being close to Oakville’s trendy downtown core.

St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School

Score 8.1 | Neighbourhood: Glen Abbey

The mission of St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School 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.

Learn more about life in Oakville by reading all of our community guides.

Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School

Score 7.1 | Neighbourhood: River Oaks

With a variety of academic programs including SHSM, French Immersion, Co-Ops, and more, Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in River Oaks is a great choice for parents looking for a balanced education for their teens.

The school offers an impressive range of athletics and co-curricular activities including the Titan Tronics Robotics team, Mathletes, Student Senate, and much more.

Curious about the schools in Burlington, our neighbour to the west? Read 5 Burlington Elementary and Secondary Schools Parents Should Know next.

Helping You Find the Right Neighbourhood

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 who understands the neighbourhoods of interest and can help guide you to the community that will offer the best lifestyle and opportunity for your family.

As a local real estate team, we have helped countless families find the perfect home in the perfect Oakville neighbourhood for their needs and wants. Through extensive research, communication, and expert guidance, we can help you make the right choice.