The Best Public High Schools in Toronto
We hope you enjoyed our last blog on the Best Public Elementary Schools in Toronto. In this blog we take a look at the best public high schools in Toronto.
When deciding where to live in Toronto, there are many great areas to choose from which makes the decision very challenging. If you have children, being in a good school district makes it even more complicated. Now, in addition to looking for a house that meets your criteria for things like proximity to work, friends, amenities and family, you need to consider your children’s education.
Considering how important education is, it’s no wonder that families are looking to find areas with the schools which offer the best education for their children. In this blog we will look at the best public high schools in Toronto based on the Fraser Institute’s ranking system. The ranking is based on grade nine and ten standardized results for reading, math and writing.
#1 Ursula Franklin Academy
https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/ufa/
Ursula Franklin Academy began as a dream in the early 1990s. Trustees of the former Toronto Board of Education looked with excitement at the possibility of re-opening a school in the west end of Toronto with a special mission and unique character. Myrna Mather, the founding Principal, spent a preliminary year with a planning team of curriculum experts, researching the literature and meeting with progressive educators from across Ontario and further abroad. A significant influence on the founding vision was Dr. Ursula Franklin herself, whose insight and wisdom inspired all who were drawn to the task. The school opened at 90 Croatia Street, Toronto in September 1995 with approximately 200 Grade 9 students and 23 staff members.
Today, the Academy’s enrolment is capped at 500 and has moved to its new home at 146 Glendonwynne Road. Strong leadership, a devoted staff, very committed and supportive parents, and a wonderful student body have produced a solid Community of Learners. In just fourteen years, this community has created a broad spectrum of innovative learning experiences and, already, some great memories. In 1999, Industry Canada, on the advice of the Canadian Association of School Administrators, designated Ursula Franklin Academy as one of 24 pioneer members of Canada’s Network of Innovative Schools (NIS). The NIS has grown to 150 schools across the country. UFA continues to provide leadership in the creative use of information and communications technology to enhance learning and build a community. During the 2015-2016 school year Ursula Franklin Academy celebrated the school’s 20th Anniversary. Alumni, students, faculty (past and present), Dr. Ursula Franklin, and founding teachers all gathered to reinforce friendship, community, and shared appreciation for the outstanding school of learning and leadership that Ursula Franklin Academy has developed into.
#2 Leaside High School
Leaside High School is a school of between 900 and 1000 pupils in central-east Toronto, at the corner of Eglinton and Bayview Avenues. The school was established in 1945 by the Leaside Board of Education and is located in the Leaside neighbourhood. Leaside High School continues to maintain a tradition of academic excellence The size of their student population allows for a caring environment in which staff get to know their students as individuals. The school is dedicated to academic achievement and the preparation of their students for post-secondary education and life in a changing society.
Leaside offers a semestered program from Grades 9 to 12. Each discipline offers a continuum of skill development to prepare students for a future of lifelong learning. Leaside offers a range of programs for students with diverse interests, including numerous languages, digital photography, forensics and communications technology.
#3 William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute
The Mission of William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute is to provide, in collaboration with staff, students, parents and community, challenging programs and a high standard of excellence that meet the needs of all students.
Our motto is “Sua Praemia Laudi”, meaning “merit has its own reward”. This motto signifies the inherit benefit of fulfilling one’s responsibilities well. The motto reflects Mackenzie’s emphasis on striving for excellence.
As a step towards the fulfillment of this mission, the staff is determined to provide a safe, harmonious school where all people – students, teachers, support staff and the community – can work and learn. We believe that meaningful and challenging programs are essential to providing a clear focus for all members of the school community. We also believe that any social organization benefits by having a set of explicit common principles and understandings which help to define appropriate behaviour of individual members in order to enhance peaceful co-existence within the organization. Such a set of common understandings can help support students to become responsible, self-directed lifelong learners.
#4 York Mills Collegiate Institute
The motto at York Mills Collegiate Institute is: Labore et prudentia - through effort and intelligence
At YMCI, there is a strong emphasis on academic achievement, student success and post-secondary preparation. The school has a long history of excellence in academics, performing and visual arts, athletics and community involvement. The students and staff of York Mills are proud of their school and of their culturally diverse backgrounds. Everyone works together to create a learning environment that is safe, nurturing, positive and respectful. At York Mills, the staff, parents and community partners work together to support the growth and achievement of all students.
The school is proud to be a dual-track school offering French Immersion, Core French and Spanish. An extensive English as a Second Language program is also available.
#5 Earl Haig Secondary School
Earl Haig Secondary School serves a diverse population and is recognized for its academic focus, enthusiasm for learning, lively school spirit, and commitment to the arts. The dignity and safety of every student is a priority here. The school's large size and professional staff ensures a wide variety of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for our students as well as developing leadership skills.
Earl Haig has two related but distinct programs. The Collegiate Program offers high-quality academic programming. The Claude Watson Arts Program offers an enriched art education in Dance, Drama, Music, Screen Arts and Visual Arts. The combination produces a unique range of educational opportunities for all students.
Earl Haig offers an enrichment program in English, Math, Social Sciences, and Science from grades 9 to 11. Those courses provide students with additional challenges and opportunities for independent learning, in addition to expanding their critical and analytical thinking skills.
#6 North Toronto Collegiate Institute
North Toronto Collegiate Institute’s motto is: Labor Omnia Vincit ("Hard Work Conquers All").
North Toronto C.I. is located near Yonge and Eglinton where it has proudly served the community since 1912. The school is held in high regard by its graduates and by the community. An important aspect of the school is North Toronto's well-established reputation as a very strong academic institution. Over 90% of our graduates gain admission to some of the finest and most competitive university programs in the world. Our graduates continually say that the rigour and high expectations expected at North Toronto have prepared them well for the future. The school is small enough so that the staff truly knows the students, yet large enough to offer a wide variety of academic courses designed to prepare students for post-secondary education. North Toronto C.I. is proud to offer:
· Extensive program in Music and the Arts
· Wide variety of extra-curricular and co-instructional activities provides our students with a rich, well-rounded school experience. Students have many opportunities to develop leadership potential.
· Students, parents and staff work collaboratively to support student success
· Student Council provides strong leadership and a significant and valued influence in the decision-making process in school policies and directions.
· School Council meets regularly providing valuable counsel to the school and offers parents resources and workshops.
· North Toronto's alumni (NT Foundation) provide a liaison with graduates and support current students and staff.
#7 AY Jackson Secondary School
At A. Y. Jackson Secondary School they develop their students into informed, literate, decision-makers who become well-rounded and caring global citizens. The school achieves this through dedicated delivery of varied programming with an emphasis on excellence in the classroom and beyond. A full range of academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular and support programs is offered to meet the needs, interests, skills and strengths of the school’s diverse student population.
A. Y. Jackson Secondary School is located in North York, the northern district of Toronto. It is located in the North York community of Toronto. It was opened in 1970 by the North York Board of Education, and is now operated by its successor, the Toronto District School Board. The school was named after A. Y. Jackson, the Canadian painter and one of the founders of the Group of Seven.
#8 Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Agincourt Collegiate Institute's school motto is: AD OMNIA PARATUS "Prepared for All Things"
At Agincourt Collegiate Institute, an experienced and dedicated staff and a responsive student body contribute to the achievement of high standards in both curricular and extra-curricular programs. Students are encouraged to be caring, appreciative and accepting of each other's shared aspirations as well as cultural differences. Students have the opportunity to participate in leadership activities such as athletics, clubs, music ensembles, student leadership councils and student mentoring programs. Parents, staff and students work together to build a safe and caring environment and to foster pride in our ACI traditions.
The school, founded in 1915 as Agincourt Continuation School to provide part of the then secondary schooling in the Agincourt area. Until 1929 it was housed on the second floor in what is now Agincourt Junior Public School building.
With the opening of Scarborough High School, the first traditional high school in Scarborough, in 1922, the school was evolved into Agincourt High School in 1930, with its first permanent home opened on the east side of Midland Avenue in 1929, a three-floor brick building.
After the Scarborough Board of Education was formed in 1954, the second and current building replaced the second school in 1956. Agincourt High was re-established as Agincourt Collegiate Institute in 1957. The 1929 building was demolished in 1966 to pave way for the auditorium and second double gymnasium with a smaller single gym. Additional classrooms and shops were added later on.
#9 Malvern Collegiate Institute
Malvern Collegiate Institute is a public secondary school in the area known as the Beach (Beaches), in the east end of Toronto.
Malvern Collegiate Institute, as a school rooted in a long-standing history of academic and extra-curricular excellence with a close connection to the Beach community, is dedicated to developing the whole student, and to providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to become active and successful citizens in the global community.
The school offers a wide range of programs such as art, music, drama, business, technology, English, modern languages, history, geography, mathematics, sciences, physical and health education. The school also has a full Extended and Immersion French program.
Students are encouraged to get involved in any of the many clubs, competitive sports teams and leadership programs at Malvern.