One of the first questions you ask yourself when relocating is whether the town or city you’re considering offers excellent schools. Whether you’re a parent of a young child or want to expand your own horizons, it’s comforting to know that a multitude of opportunities lie before you.

Even without school-aged children or intending to sign up for class yourself, there are several benefits to living in a community with a highly-ranked education system. First, you’re surrounded by highly educated neighbours, which makes for a safe and engaging environment. 

From a real estate perspective, homes near quality schools are the fastest to rise in value when the market is hot. When the market slows down, these properties often maintain their value more so than neighbouring homes.

Whatever your reason for seeking out the finest schools, you have come to the right place in Oakville. In this post, we’ll take a look at just a few of the highest-ranked options.

Want to stay up to date with the GTA real estate market? Subscribe here to get the latest stats and exciting new listings delivered straight to your inbox.

An Overview of Oakville’s Public Education

The Town of Oakville falls under the Halton District School Board, which manages all public and secondary schools, including many that offer French immersion. The Halton Catholic District School Board oversees Catholic education. 

The board websites allow you to evaluate each facility by their value and mission statements, and you can also determine what support and extra-curricular activities they offer.

Oakville’s schools generally rank above-average compared with others in Ontario as determined by standardized tests. Below is a list of several public schools that have consistently received high scores from the Fraser Institute:

  • Joshua Creek Public School
  • Pilgrim Wood Public School
  • Munn’s Public School
  • James W. Hill Public School
  • Abbey Park High School
  • Iroquois Ridge High School

Regardless of the ranking, the quality of individual schools is subjective, and each student’s experience varies. Just because a particular school didn’t take the number one spot doesn’t mean it doesn’t provide an optimal education. 

These rankings are only one consideration when looking at the available schools in your area. For example, if you have a child who excels in art or music, you might take rankings based on standardized tests with a grain of salt. If you have a particular school in mind, your real estate agent can help you determine what catchment area to begin the search for your new home.

Want to learn more about living in Oakville? The related reading below will get you off to a great start:

Stellar Private Alternatives

Well-off families often turn to private alternatives for a variety of reasons. Whether for smaller class sizes, better equipment, or a more focused vocation, private schools can provide an exemplary educational experience for children of all ages.

Evaluating private options can be challenging, as they are not required to follow the guidelines from the Ministry of Education. Instead, each school sets their own policies regarding the curriculum and other factors such as record keeping, discipline, and vaccination requirements.

When choosing an elementary school, you will want to perform your due diligence to ensure its value system aligns with your own and that the quality of education is up to your standards. Since no government agency exists to monitor schools, here are some questions you can ask before enrolling your child.

  • What is the curriculum and what qualifications do the teachers have?
  • What is the code of conduct students are expected to follow?
  • Are there any anti-bullying policies in place?
  • Does the school offer special education programs?

Private secondary schools are also not monitored by the Ministry of Education. However, those that offer Ontario Secondary School Diplomas are subjected to occasional inspections. In this case, they will also need to show that student results are at least on par with provincial standards.

Choosing Your Path

Since everyone has a different learning style, you may want to visit your top choices in person to see where your child will best fit in. Determining the most suitable option can seem overwhelming, but Oakville does have several schools with excellent reputations, both for academic achievement and parental satisfaction. There are many to choose from, but here are a few of our favourites:

  • St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School: An all-girls school for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn focuses on academic excellence to create empowered young women.
  • MacLachlan College: Providing a high-quality education for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, MacLachlan College offers small class sizes and advanced placement for those looking to attend college or university in the US.
  • Chisholm Academy: A special education facility, Chisholm Academy provides Individualized Educational Programs to help students reach their potential in spite of learning difficulties such as dyslexia and ADHD.
  • Appleby College: Known internationally, Appleby College provides a state-of-the-art campus and an ambitious academic program focusing on critical thinking skills and uncovering the individual potential of all students.

Do you have questions about buying or selling a home in Oakville? Call 416-884-7925 or email damir@damirstrk.com today for a complimentary information session with no obligation.