If you’re thinking about moving to London, Ontario, schools may be one of the biggest factors in deciding where to buy a home.
As a top real estate agent in London Ontario I get asked frequently how different high schools schools rank in the London area. This is always a difficult question but I typically point people toward standardized test scores released by the Fraser Institute, asking around to other parents in the area, local neighbourhood groups, discussing with teachers, and doing your own research.
Recently, I put together a video to summarize the most recent findings from the Fraser Institute on London’s high school rankings, which you can watch here:
It’s important to remember that test scores don’t tell you everything about a school. Programs, extracurricular activities, school culture, location and the individual needs of a student can all be just as important.
With that said, here’s how London’s top five ranked.
1. London Central Secondary School
Fraser Institute Rating: 8.7/10
Ontario Ranking: #33 out of 747 secondary schools
London Central Secondary School takes the top spot in London with an impressive Fraser Institute score of 8.7 out of 10.
Located near downtown London, Central has consistently been one of the city’s strongest-performing high schools academically.
Its location also makes it an interesting consideration for families looking at homes in neighbourhoods surrounding central London, including Old North, Woodfield and parts of downtown London.
With a provincial ranking of #33, London Central falls within approximately the top 4% of secondary schools included in the Fraser Institute rankings.
2. Oakridge Secondary School
Fraser Institute Rating: 8.0/10
Ontario Ranking: #86 out of 747 secondary schools
Coming in second is Oakridge Secondary School with a rating of 8.0 out of 10.
Oakridge is located in west London and serves families from several established neighbourhoods in this part of the city.
For families considering a move to west or northwest London, the school can be an important factor when deciding which neighbourhoods to explore.
Oakridge’s provincial ranking puts it among approximately the top 12% of Ontario secondary schools included in the rankings.
3. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School
Fraser Institute Rating: 7.8/10
Ontario Ranking: #111 out of 747 secondary schools
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School comes in third among London high schools with a Fraser Institute rating of 7.8.
Located in west London, St. Thomas Aquinas is part of the London District Catholic School Board.
For families looking for Catholic secondary education in London, its strong academic ranking makes it one of the schools worth considering when researching different areas of the city.
4. A.B. Lucas Secondary School
Fraser Institute Rating: 7.3/10
Ontario Ranking: #158 out of 747 secondary schools
A.B. Lucas Secondary School takes the fourth spot with a rating of 7.3 out of 10.
Lucas is located in Northridge (north London) and has long been a well-known high school in the city.
Its location makes it particularly relevant for families considering homes in north London communities, where school boundaries are often an important part of the home search.
5. École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont
Fraser Institute Rating: 7.2/10
Ontario Ranking: #178 out of 747 secondary schools
Rounding out the top five is École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont with a rating of 7.2 out of 10.
Gabriel-Dumont is a French-language secondary school, so it’s important to keep that distinction in mind when comparing it with London’s English public and Catholic schools.
Its inclusion in the top five also demonstrates why families should look beyond just an overall ranking and consider the type of school and programming that works best for their children.
Top 5 High Schools in London Ontario
Based on the latest Fraser Institute rankings, the top five are:
- London Central Secondary School — 8.7/10
- Oakridge Secondary School — 8.0/10
- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School — 7.8/10
- A.B. Lucas Secondary School — 7.3/10
- École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont — 7.2/10
These rankings are based on the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on Ontario’s Secondary Schools and use academic indicators derived from province-wide testing.
Are School Rankings Important When Buying a Home?
They can be, but they shouldn’t be the only consideration.
A Fraser Institute ranking provides one way of comparing academic performance between schools. It doesn’t necessarily measure things such as school culture, extracurricular programs, facilities, student experience or whether a particular school will be the right fit for an individual student.
From a real estate perspective, however, school districts can absolutely be an important consideration for home buyers in London Ontario.
If you’re buying a house and have a particular school in mind, it’s important to confirm the current school boundary before making a decision. School boundaries can change, and being relatively close to a school doesn’t necessarily mean a particular address falls within its attendance area.
Moving to London Ontario?
If you’re considering moving to London and you’re trying to figure out which neighbourhood might be the right fit for your family, I can help.
I’ve been a Realtor® in London Ontario and work with buyers and sellers throughout the city. Whether you’re looking for a home near a particular high school, comparing London neighbourhoods, or just trying to understand the local real estate market, feel free to reach out.
Phil Bailey
London Ontario Realtor®
HouseSigma Inc. Brokerage
Thinking about buying or selling a home in London Ontario? Send me a message and let’s talk about what you’re looking for.
