Most Improved Toronto Schools 2012

 

Top Ten Logo

It's been an exciting week for our Realosophy Analytics spotlight on the relationship between School Quality and Real Estate Values.

Following our first list, Best Toronto Schools for 2012, we were profiled in the Toronto Star.

The feedback we've been hearing from you is consistent with our premise: while we are all aware that EQAO scores tell only a part of a school's story, these scores nonetheless influence your home buying decisions. You've told us that having access to this type of information helps you think about your goals and feel empowered about making your own decisions.

Realosophy Schools for Home Buyers Workshop - Starts Again Sept 2012

SchoolsForHomeBuyersIf you’re buying a home, schools are likely important to you. To help you make better buying decisions, Realosophy is now drilling down to give you stats on house price appreciation and EQAO score changes at the school district level. Join our free workshop to understand latest trends, get our top neighbourhood picks and ask your own questions in a friendly atmosphere. Our popular workshops take place on the first Saturday of each month. Scroll to the bottom of this post to sign up for the next one. (Learn more about workshop)

 

This Week's List - Most Improved Toronto Schools 2012

Now, onto the main show! I'm particularly excited about this week's installment: Top Ten Most Improved Elementary Schools in Toronto for 2012.

For all the controversy about EQAO scores and what they actually measure, we often miss a far more important story. No score is static, and improvement, more than any other metric, may reveal to us what is truly important about any organization - its ability to assess its current reality, successfully diagnosis problems and do better. (RIM, are you listening?)

And what a fantastic story this week's list has to tell. Most of the most improved schools are in affordable neighbourhoods, many of which are next generation emerging neighbourhoods. Seven out of the ten schools improved to an average EQAO score of 70 and above. Improvements ranged from between 24 to 36 in average percentage points.

Above all, this top ten list tells us a story of hard work - the hard work of students, teachers and parents working to make their schools better. And really, isn't hard work the biggest lesson we want to instill in our children?

SchoolMap
 

The Data

  • Overall change (in the bright yellow circle) represents the average increase or decrease (in percentage points) in EQAO scores from 2007-08 to 2010-11; average of all six tests written by students (reading, writing and math at the Gr. 3 and Gr. 6 levels)
  • Covers all Toronto public schools with an overall average test score above 60 (Note: some schools are too small to report EQAO results and are excluded)
  • Average EQAO test score represents number of students obtaining the provincial standard; average of all six tests written in 2010-11
  • Average house prices for the neighbourhood in 2011
  • 3-Year increase in house prices from 2008 to 2011

1. Kimberley Junior Public School

See all houses for sale in Kimberley Junior Public School District
36

Neighbourhood: East End Danforth

Grades: JK-6
Enrollment: 271
Address: 50 Swanwick Ave
Average EQAO Test Score: 86%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 36%

Average House Price: $487,469
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 16%

Kimberley
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Kimberley Junior Public School

 

2. Braeburn Junior School

See all houses in Braeburn Junior School District
36

Neighbourhood: Thistletown

Grades: JK-5
Enrollment: 305
Address: 15 Tandridge Cres
Average EQAO Test Score: 84%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 36%

Average House Price: $379,622
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 9%

Braeburn
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Braeburn Junior School

 

3. Heron Park Junior Public School

See all houses for sale in Heron Park Junior Public School District
36

Neighbourhood: West Hill

Grades: JK-6
Enrollment: 275
Address: 280 Manse Rd
Average EQAO Test Score: 80%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 36%

Average House Price: $281,727
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 10%

Heron
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Heron Park Junior Public School

 

4. Morse Street Junior Public School

See all houses for sale in Morse Street Junior Public School District
34

Neighbourhood: Leslieville

Grades: JK-6
Enrollment: 203
Address: 180 Carlaw Ave
Average EQAO Test Score: 70%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 34%

Average House Price: $477,837
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 17%

Morse
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Morse Street Junior Public School

 

5. Elmbank Junior Middle Academy

See all houses for sale in Elmbank Junior Middle Academy School District
33

Neighbourhood: Smithfield

Grades: JK-8
Enrollment: 556
Address: 10 Pittsboro Dr
Average EQAO Test Score: 68%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 33%

Average House Price: $283,034
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 6%

Elmbank
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Elmbank Junior Middle Academy

 

6. Cedarbrook Junior Public School

See all houses for sale in Cedarbrook Junior Public School District
32

Neighbourhood: Scarborough Village

Grades: JK-6
Enrollment: 315
Address: 56 Nelson St
Average EQAO Test Score: 72%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 33%

Average House Price: $297,932
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 15%

Cedarbrooklogo
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Cedarbrook Junior Public School

 

7. Portage Trail Community Junior School

See all houses for sale in Portage Trail Community Junior School District
29

Neighbourhood: Mount Dennis

Grades: JK-5
Enrollment: 378
Address: 56 Nelson St
Average EQAO Test Score: 66%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 29%

Average House Price: $295,245
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 11%

PortageNew
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Portage Trail Community Junior School

 

8. Highview Public School

See all houses for sale in Highview Public School District
28

Neighbourhood: Downsview

Grades: JK-5
Enrollment: 198
Address: 22 Highview Ave
Average EQAO Test Score: 71%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 28%

Average House Price: $406,167
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 20%

Highview
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Highview Public School

 

9. Dovercourt Junior Public School

See all houses for sale in Dovercourt Junior Public School District
28

Neighbourhood: Dovercourt Park

Grades: JK-8
Enrollment: 253
Address: 228 Bartlett Ave
Average EQAO Test Score: 71%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 28%

Average House Price: $543,599
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 23%

Dovercourt
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Dovercourt Junior Public School

 

10. George R Gauld Junior School

See all houses for sale in George R Gauld Junior School District
24

Neighbourhood: Mimico

Grades: JK-5
Enrollment: 169
Address: 200 Melrose St
Average EQAO Test Score: 64%
3 Yr EQAO Score Improvement: 24%

Average House Price: $421,498
3 Yr Increase in House Prices: 18%

GeorgeRGauld
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for George R Gauld Junior School

Urmi Desai is editor of the Move Smartly blog and is responsible for strategy and marketing at Realosophy Realty Inc. Brokerage. A leader in real estate analytics and pro-consumer advice, Realosophy helps clients buy or sell a home the right way. Email Urmi

Subscribe to the Move Smartly blog by email

 

Schools for Home Buyers Workshop Sign-up

Need Good School Advice? Talk to Us.

Make the Right Home Buying Decisions.

Neighbourhood     |     School     |     Top Ten     |     Toronto     |     Market     |    

Toronto’s most authoritative real estate insights, delivered right to your inbox.