For parents, few things matter as much as securing an excellent education for their kids. So it makes sense that most families factor the quality of local schools into their home-buying decisions. That said, selecting the right school—in the right neighbourhood—can be a challenge. From class sizes to overall academic performance to extracurricular activities, there’s no shortage of things to keep in mind.
Fortunately, there’s good news for those who are considering a move to the west end. You’ll find some of the city’s most impressive schools in neighbourhoods like Bloor West Village, Swansea, and Roncesvalles. To help you narrow down your search, here are five of the best in West Toronto…
1) Runnymede Public School
Founded in 1913, Runnymede Public School has a long history of providing high-quality education. Today, this Bloor West Village institution serves the needs of over 1000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. It has an impressive curriculum, which includes a French Immersion program and a top-notch performing arts program, featuring band practice, drama classes and stringed instruments.
Runnymede also fosters eco-consciousness—the school has a naturalized on-site garden and encourages students to create works of art using recyclable materials.
The school ranks 8.2 by the Fraser Institute, placing it 228 out of 3037 schools.
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2) Keele Street Public School
Keele Street Public School is known for the academic performances of its students, along with its wide range of extracurricular activities. According to Ontario’s Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), students at this school continuously score at or above provincial standards for reading, writing, and math.
Attendees also have many opportunities to develop their hobbies—from dance to strings to chess. The school offers a support program for ESL students, proving that Keele’s diversity is another part of what makes it one of the best west-end schools in Toronto (most of the students here speak languages other than English).
The school also shares space with Keelmont Daycare Centre and the pool at the Keele Community Centre.
3) Humbercrest Public School
If you live in the Bloor West-High Park area (or you’re thinking of moving there soon), you might want to consider enrolling your kids in Humbercrest Public School. French Immersion now begins as early as Junior Kindergarten, providing your children with the chance to become fluent while they are still young.
Humbercrest strongly encourages parental involvement, making it perfect for moms and dads who want to stay engaged. Another part of what makes this school so special is its focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math).
A Robotics Club is available for children from grades 4 – 8, allowing children to learn while forming lasting friendships.
It’s never too early to help kids start building up valuable workforce skills, and Humbercrest is a great place to do that!
4) Swansea Junior and Senior Public School
Like Keele Street Public School, Swansea achieves solid EQAO scores and has a diverse student population. One of the school’s many claims to fame is the natural beauty that surrounds it—you’ll find a beautiful pond and forest nearby.
Given all that it has to offer, it’s no surprise that Swansea is incredibly popular. A double gym and field—along with the addition of 16 new classrooms—ensure that the school’s facilities continue to serve its growing student body. Swansea is highly diverse and takes pride in it.
Programs like the Read and Write Gold and Smart Ideas help to support struggling students. And a balanced curriculum of academics, sports, music and technology makes Swansea one of the best schools in the province.
It has an impressive 8.6 ranking by the Fraser Institute and is 131 out of 3037 schools.
Looking for fun things to do with your family throughout the year? Here are some ideas for you:
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5) Garden Avenue Junior Public School
No list of west-end schools would be complete without Garden Avenue. This Roncesvalles educational institution boasts impressive EQAO scores, with a large proportion of high achievers in reading, writing, and math. Smaller populations often mean more individual attention for students, which is great news for students at Garden Avenue (where there are just over 270 attendees).
Garden Avenue serves children from Kindergarten up to Grade 6 and shares space with Sunnyside Garden Daycare, making it the perfect place for little ones to transition from one learning environment into another.
With a Fraser Institute Ranking of 8.7, Garden Avenue is the highest-rated school on the list and places 118 out of 3037 institutions.
Looking for a home close to a great public school in west Toronto? We know the neighbourhoods here—inside and out. Get in touch to learn more!
