Public Schools and Home Buying in York Region & Toronto

When parents say they want a home near a “good school,” they are rarely asking about one number. They are usually balancing academic results, teaching environment, special programs, commute, housing type, parks, libraries and whether the neighbourhood will still suit the family five or ten years from now.

This guide brings those questions together. It focuses on selected English-language, non-Catholic public schools in the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Catholic, French-language, private and alternative schools follow different eligibility or admissions rules and are outside this comparison.

AT A GLANCE

Ten family neighbourhoods worth comparing

City & community	Elementary example	2025 result	Secondary example	2025 result
Markham · Unionville	William Berczy P.S.	9.1 · #97/3,052	Unionville H.S.	9.0 · #18/747
Markham · Berczy/Wismer	Stonebridge P.S.	9.1 · #97/3,052	Pierre Elliott Trudeau H.S.	9.5 · #6/747
Richmond Hill · Bayview Hill	Bayview Hill E.S.	8.0 · #351/3,052	Bayview S.S.	9.2 · #12/747
Vaughan · Thornhill Woods	Thornhill Woods P.S.	8.8 · #149/3,052	Stephen Lewis S.S.	8.2 · #65/747
Aurora · central/northeast	Rick Hansen P.S.	7.9 · #392/3,052	Aurora H.S.	8.4 · #46/747
Newmarket · Stonehaven	Stonehaven E.S.	6.1 · #1,495/3,052	Newmarket H.S.	8.5 · #42/747
Toronto · Willowdale	McKee P.S.	Not listed	Earl Haig S.S.	8.9 · #23/747
Toronto · Lawrence Park	Blythwood J.P.S.	9.4 · #67/3,052	Lawrence Park C.I.	9.1 · #15/747
Toronto · York Mills/Don Mills	Denlow P.S.	Not listed	York Mills C.I.	9.0 · #18/747
Toronto · Humber Valley Village	Humber Valley Village J.M.S.	8.0 · #351/3,052	Richview C.I.	8.7 · #33/747

These are research starting points, not guaranteed feeder-school pairings. Use the exact-address tools linked near the end of this guide.

YORK REGION

Established school names, newer family housing and strong community amenities

01

MARKHAM · UNIONVILLE

William Berczy P.S. and Unionville H.S.

School character

William Berczy posted a strong recent elementary result. Unionville H.S. combines a high academic result with the well-known Arts Unionville program in dance, drama, music and visual arts. Arts Unionville is specialized and application-based; living nearby does not provide automatic admission to that stream.

Homes

The area ranges from older village homes and renovated custom properties to 1970s–1990s detached houses, townhomes and newer condos along Highway 7. Lot size, renovation quality and walkability vary substantially by pocket.

Nearby

Main Street Unionville, Toogood Pond, trails, community facilities, Unionville GO and the growing Highway 7 employment and transit corridor make this one of Markham’s most complete family locations.

02

MARKHAM · BERCZY VILLAGE / WISMER

Stonebridge P.S. and Pierre Elliott Trudeau H.S.

School character

Both examples recorded very strong 2023–2024 results, with Pierre Elliott Trudeau H.S. at 9.5 and tied #6 provincially in the secondary report. Families should still compare the designated elementary, middle-school pathway and program details for the exact address.

Homes

Expect mostly late-1990s to 2010s detached, semi-detached and townhomes, often with efficient family layouts but smaller lots than older Unionville. Newer infill and high-density housing appear closer to major roads and GO stations.

Nearby

Neighbourhood parks, Bur Oak corridors, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park, Mount Joy GO and quick access to Markham’s shopping and community centres support busy school-age families.

03

RICHMOND HILL · BAYVIEW HILL

Bayview Hill E.S. and Bayview S.S.

School character

Bayview Hill E.S. scored 8.0 in the 2025 elementary report, while Bayview S.S. scored 9.2 and tied #12. Bayview is also one of YRDSB’s IB Diploma Programme sites. IB uses a central application and a regional service area, so it should not be treated as automatic neighbourhood admission.

Homes

Bayview Hill is known for substantial 1990s detached homes, broad streets and larger interior floor plans. Buyers should compare original condition, major-system updates and renovation quality rather than assuming every house carries the same standard.

Nearby

Bayview Hill Community Centre and park, Highway 7 amenities, Richmond Hill Centre access and proximity to both Markham and Richmond Hill employment areas are practical strengths.

04

VAUGHAN · THORNHILL WOODS

Thornhill Woods P.S. and Stephen Lewis S.S.

School character

Thornhill Woods P.S. recorded 8.8, while Stephen Lewis S.S. recorded 8.2. This is a useful example of a neighbourhood where families often value both solid recent academic indicators and a broad, community-based secondary-school experience.

Homes

The housing stock is largely 2000s-era detached homes and townhomes, with practical family layouts and relatively modern construction. Traffic, school walking route and proximity to higher-density development should be checked street by street.

Nearby

North Thornhill Community Centre, local parks, Bathurst and Rutherford shopping, Highway 407 and access toward Rutherford GO make the area convenient for households commuting in several directions.

05

AURORA · CENTRAL / NORTHEAST

Rick Hansen P.S. and Aurora H.S.

School character

Rick Hansen P.S. scored 7.9 and Aurora H.S. 8.4 in the 2025 report cards. The attraction here is not one headline program; it is the combination of established schools, extracurricular choice and a town-scale community that many families find manageable.

Homes

Aurora offers a broad mix: mature detached homes near the historic core, larger 1980s–2000s subdivisions, townhomes and newer development. The age of roof, windows, mechanical systems and drainage can vary more than the exterior suggests.

Nearby

Aurora GO, the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, community trails, parks and the Yonge and Bayview commercial corridors provide a practical balance of commuter access and local life.

06

NEWMARKET · STONEHAVEN

Stonehaven E.S. and Newmarket H.S.

School character

The 2025 results differ sharply: Stonehaven E.S. scored 6.1, while Newmarket H.S. scored 8.5. That contrast is exactly why families should examine multi-year results, school supports and the child’s needs rather than buying from a single ranking headline.

Homes

Stonehaven is dominated by late-1980s to 2000s detached homes, with townhomes and newer infill in selected pockets. Buyers often get more interior space than in central Toronto, but commuting time and ongoing maintenance still need to be priced honestly.

Nearby

The Magna Centre, Fairy Lake, Tom Taylor Trail, Southlake Regional Health Centre and Newmarket GO are major family and employment anchors.

TORONTO

Transit, established schools and a wider range of housing trade-offs

07

NORTH YORK · WILLOWDALE

McKee P.S. and Earl Haig S.S.

School character

McKee did not appear in the 2025 elementary ranking table, so no directly comparable current score is shown here. Earl Haig scored 8.9 and tied #23. Its Claude Watson Arts Program offers dance, drama, music and visual studies through a separate central-program process; the regular collegiate program and arts program are distinct.

Homes

Willowdale combines high-rise and boutique condos near Yonge Street with older bungalows, renovated detached homes and custom infill on side streets. Families should compare usable land, construction quality, traffic and the exact school path—not only postal proximity.

Nearby

Yonge–Sheppard and North York Centre subway access, Toronto Public Library branches, community centres, parks and extensive dining make car-light family routines possible in selected pockets.

08

MIDTOWN · LAWRENCE PARK

Blythwood J.P.S. and Lawrence Park C.I.

School character

Blythwood recorded 9.4, while Lawrence Park C.I. recorded 9.1 and tied #15. TDSB describes Lawrence Park as a school with strong academics, extracurricular leadership, athletics and arts, including French Extended and French Immersion streams.

Homes

Housing is primarily established detached stock, ranging from well-preserved older houses to major renovations and luxury rebuilds. Lot shape, ravine influence, renovation permits and water management can be as important as finished square footage.

Nearby

Lawrence subway, parks and ravine access, Yonge Street services, libraries and proximity to respected private and public options make the area highly convenient—at a significant entry cost.

09

NORTH YORK · YORK MILLS / DON MILLS

Denlow P.S. and York Mills C.I.

School character

Denlow was not listed in the 2025 elementary ranking table. York Mills C.I. scored 9.0 and tied #18; TDSB highlights academics, post-secondary preparation, arts, athletics and community involvement. Ask TDSB whether regular-program out-of-area applications are accepted for your entry year.

Homes

The area is known for mid-century bungalows and side-splits, larger renovated detached homes, ravine properties and selective infill. Inspections should pay particular attention to drainage, grading, older services and the quality of additions.

Nearby

Edwards Gardens, Toronto Botanical Garden, ravine trails, Shops at Don Mills, Highway 401 and the DVP provide an unusual mix of greenery, retail and regional access.

10

ETOBICOKE · HUMBER VALLEY VILLAGE

Humber Valley Village J.M.S. and Richview C.I.

School character

Humber Valley Village recorded 8.0, while Richview recorded 8.7 and tied #33. TDSB describes Richview as a dual-track English and French Immersion school with strong academic, leadership and co-curricular programming.

Homes

Expect mostly 1950s detached homes, renovated family houses, ravine-adjacent properties and luxury infill. Lot value is important, but buyers should still investigate flood exposure, grading, sewer condition and renovation history.

Nearby

Humber River parks and trails, community recreation, golf, Bloor–Islington services and access to Highways 401, 427 and Pearson Airport suit families who value west-end connectivity.

BEFORE YOU OFFER

A five-step school-address check

1. Enter the exact street number and street name in the official YRDSB locator or TDSB Find Your School.
2. Check every grade transition. Elementary, middle and secondary pathways may not be the schools closest on a map.
3. Separate regular attendance from special programs. IB, arts, French and other programs may have applications, lotteries, auditions, eligibility rules or regional boundaries.
4. Call the board or school when the decision is material. Ask about boundary reviews, holding schools, capped enrolment, new developments and planned program changes.
5. Visit at real-life times. Observe school drop-off, walking conditions, traffic, transit and the trip to activities—not only the house during a quiet showing.