Toronto Real Estate and Neighbourhoods Blog | Move Smartly

Most Improved Toronto Schools 2012 (Realosophy Ten Ten Neighbourhoods)

Urmi Desai in Top Ten Neighbourhoods, Home Buying, Toronto Schools, Toronto Neighbourhoods

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 Workshop

Many of you have been in touch with specific real estate and schools questions - and we have lots more data and information to share. Sign up for our "Schools for Home Buyers" workshop on Sat Feb 25th (limited seating, first come first served). As part of the workshop, you'll receive a free Neighbourhood Match report which lists out the best Toronto neighbourhoods for your needs. Sign up below (scroll down to the end of this post).

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?

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

Best Toronto Schools 2012 (Realosophy Top Ten Neighbourhoods)

Urmi Desai in  Top Ten Neighbourhoods, Toronto Schools, Home Buying, Toronto Neighbourhoods

It's school time at Realosophy Analytics! Our month-long feature looks at the special relationship between real estate and schools.

Today's post looks at the top elementary schools in Toronto as measured by the province's latest standardized EQAO scores.

While it's tempting to tape this school list to your goal wall/fridge/dreams and "make it so",  it's important to remember that EQAO scores only tell us so much about school quality. For one, standardized testing results tend to favour advantaged socioeconomic groups, which can make the results more about 'who' attends than 'what' is being taught.

Educators also stress that some school strengths - like special curriculums or educational philosophies - fall outside testing parameters. But interestingly, specialty schools are a strong presence on our list. This is likely due to admissions requirements (e.g., for arts schools) and smaller class sizes.

Realosophy Workshop

Many of you have been in touch with specific real estate and schools questions - and we have lots more data and information to share. Sign up for our "Schools for Home Buyers" workshop on Sat Feb 25th (limited seating, first come first served). As part of the workshop, you'll receive a free Neighbourhood Match report which lists out the best Toronto neighbourhoods for your needs. Sign up below (scroll down to the end of this post).

The Data

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

Next Up: Most Improved Toronto Schools 2012

 

1. Claude Watson School for the Arts
	Neighbourhood: Willowdale Grades: 1-8 Enrollment: 325 Address: 130 Doris Avenue Average EQAO Test Score: 100% 3 Year EQAO Score Improvement: 4% Average House Price: $488,344 3 Year Increase in House Prices: 30%
Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Claude Watson

 

What’s Driving Toronto Real Estate Prices Up? The School Factor

Urmi Desai in Top Ten Neighbourhoods, Toronto Schools, Toronto Neighbourhoods, Home Buying

It’s time to get schooled!

We’ve updated www.realosophy.com with the latest 2011 EQAO data for over 1,800 GTA schools and the Realosophy Analytics team have taken a long, hard look at the data. Over the next few weeks, we'll be reporting on the symbiotic relationship that is Toronto real estate and Toronto schools.

Today, we’ll start with an overview of some key trends.

Move Over Starbucks

Look behind the crazy bidding wars in Toronto’s hottest neighbourhoods and you’ll find a lot of good schools. It’s not new that parents are anxious to give their kids the best start in life. (I’m reminded of the advice of a Richmond Hill high school principal once gave to my dad: “Frankly, Mr. Desai, if your kid’s smart, they’ll do great anywhere. If they’re not, well, that’s another story.”) But it’s an anxiety that’s only gotten stronger – or at least become more acted upon – thanks to the introduction of standardized testing at Ontario schools in 1995 and the reporting of results on the internet, a mini baby boom in Toronto and a growing sense that our children will be wrestling out their futures in a highly globalized bear pit of competition. Today, many home buyers with children focus their home search exclusively on school quality.

Forget about the Starbucks effect - it’s all about the school effect.

Toronto Schools are Getting Better

The good news is that our data shows that Toronto schools are improving under all this scrutiny. Compared to three years ago, there are 45% more elementary schools scoring an average of 80% or greater (this is an average of results obtained in the six different EQAO tests elementary school students write - reading, writing and math at the Gr. 3 and Gr. 6 levels). In November, a cross-Canada study carried out by Education Ministers showed that Ontario alone had students placing above the national average in all three examined subjects – reading, math and science.

Turf War Over Who Names Neighbourhoods

Bob Aaron in Real Estate Trends, Toronto Neighbourhoods

Toronto residents who are proud to live in areas such as Harbourfront, Davisville Village, Leslieville, Chaplin Estates, Hogg’s Hollow and Corktown are bound to be disappointed to learn that their neighbourhood names have been wiped off the map by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Real Estate Board.

This also applies to the neighbourhoods of Baby Point, Rathnelly, Brockton, Seaton Village, the Distillery District, Christie Pits and others.

The confusion arises in the wake of a decision by the Board in July to replace its old district map to simplify searching for properties on the Multiple Listing Toronto Real Estate Service (MLS) and its public site, www.realtor.ca.

As a result, there are now at least four different authoritative sources for naming and defining Toronto neighbourhoods and none of them completely agrees with any of the others.

 • The “official” Toronto neighbourhood maps are published by the City of Toronto and available on the city’s website at www.toronto.ca. According to the city’s listing, there are 140 Toronto neighbourhoods.

 • The newly adopted Toronto Real Estate Board maps are found at www.torontomls.net/BingCommunitiesMap/map.html. TREB says that there are 144 Toronto neighbourhoods. In scrapping its old district names like C11, TREB intended to use commonly known names and geographical areas, but I find it more confusing than ever.

 • In his landmark (but now out-of-print) 2003 book Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods, David Dunkelman provides a detailed description of 158 Toronto neighbourhoods.

 • In my view, the most up-to-date, accurate and detailed listing is the brainchild of Toronto real estate broker John Pasalis at www.realosophy.com. Hundreds of hours of effort have gone into dividing the city up into an incredible 167 discrete areas and mapping them out. Each one shows an overview, homes for sale, home data, demographics, description and “walk score” rating.

The Realosophy terminology uses area names that are in common use by real people — not ones invented by a TREB committee or municipal bureaucrats.

Changeover at Queen East and Jones

Urmi Desai in Toronto Neighbourhoods, Leslieville

If you're crazy enough to quit the day job to start up a business, you'd better line up the right people to support you. Forget about marketers, bankers, accountants or lawyers - you need lots of talented people to feed you.

Luckily for us at Realosophy HQ at 1152 Queen East @ Jones, Leslieville's already killer food scene keeps getting better...

A new restaurant/pub (?) with a fetching "tavern" sign is opening nearby at 1124 Queen East (where Kemistri used to be).

At 1129 Queen East, Eadrey Foods, specializing in marinades, sauces and rubs, is moving into the space that the Foodist Market all too speedily vacated (dashing our hopes of having a fruit stand in the 'hood, sniff).

And two nearby favs, Frankly Eatery (1118 Queen East) and OK OK Diner (1128 Queen East) - are extending their goodness to dinner time - even more reasons to work late!

Editor's appeal: In today's world, you’re nobody till facebook likes you. So if you enjoy reading the Move Smartly blog, please scroll to the top of the blog and click on the facebook "like" button just under the Relaosophy logo on the right (under the subscribers box). And thanks for the love!

Urmi Desai is editor of the Move Smartly blog and is responsible for Realosophy’s strategy and marketing. Realosophy researches Toronto neighbourhoods to help today's home buyers make smarter decisions. Try our innovative Neighbourhood Match tool to find the best Toronto neighbourhoods for you. Email Urmi

New Condo Alert: Showcase Condos in Leslieville

John Pasalis in Toronto Condos and Lofts, Toronto Neighbourhoods, Leslieville

Over the past five years Carlaw Ave between Queen East and Dundas East has evolved into Leslieville's condo corridor. There are currently four completed condos on Carlaw (iZone, Wrigley Lofts, Garment Factory and Printing Factory), two condos under construction (WorkLofts and Flatiron Lofts) and one new project that is early in the pre-construction phase - Showcase Lofts.

Showcase Lofts is scheduled to be built on the vacant lot at the north west corner of Carlaw and Colgate.  The developer behind the properties is Aragon properties and according to BuzzBuzzHome the project will be a seven storey, 230 unit loft-style condo.

We'll update this post as we get more information about the project.

John Pasalis is the Broker Owner of Realosophy Realty Inc in Toronto. Realosophy focuses on researching Toronto neighbourhoods to help their clients make smarter real estate decisions. Email John

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Changeover at Broadview and Queen East

Urmi Desai in Toronto Neighbourhoods, Leslieville, Riverdale

Lots of change happening on the retail street at Broadview and Queen East. On a small block there are no less than 7 properties papered up. This is all textbook according to emerging neighbourhood theory - we'd expect existing retailers like discount stores to move out as leases expire and new businesses catering to a higher price point to move in. It will be interesting to see what comes in.

Buying 101: Investing in an Up and Coming Neighbourhood

John Pasalis in Toronto Real Estate News, Home Buying, Toronto Neighbourhoods

“Where is the next up and coming neighbourhood?” has to be the question I’m most often asked by home buyers. The idea of finding a rough around the edges (read: not boring) neighbourhood that still offers the comforts of life (cafes, yoga and access to transit) is definitely part of the appeal. But in my experience, those that actually buy in up and comers fall into two main groups - those that are pushed into the neighbourhood because they can't afford the more established, first-choice neighbourhood next door and those that are looking to buy at a discount and make a better return on an area that grows up along with them (they don't mind - and even like - a bit of grit with their latte). This post is geared towards that latter group.

For those primarily interested in making a good return on their real estate investment, buying into an up and coming neighbourhood is a lot like buying a small cap stock. Small cap refers to companies that are usually new or very young and are worth much less (a lower market capitalization) relative to most publically traded companies. These stocks tend to be riskier but offer investors the possibility of an above average appreciation on their investment.

Experienced: Toronto the Sweet Not Sour

Urmi Desai in Real Toronto, Toronto Neighbourhoods

Who knew that the wonderful summer we enjoyed would lead to an extremely bitter fall? According to prominent voices in one of the most depressing Toronto mayoral races ever, we must live somewhere between the USSR and New Orleans.

Toronto does have problems - uninspiring leadership at all levels of government, the free fall that is the TTC, persistent issues of poverty and social isolation, violent quarrels re strollers in public places, the suspicious feeling that the organic greens you are overpaying for have been picked out of a Markham ditch and potential racial unrest due to a) the domination of overachievers at university and b) the threat of Lake Shore the reality show.

But we have been spared the complete jobs collapse the Americans are suffering through, along with severe austerity measures in Europe, we continue to be fairly peaceful for one of the most pluralistic cities on earth and a lot of our neigbourhoods are getting tastier while remaining artfully dodgy mixed (disclaimer: I think like this because I live in Leslieville).

To wit, the BBC/Lonely Planet travel website is featuring Toronto's diverse, neighbourhood-centric charms - see "This is Toronto Week". Speaking of pleasantly gritty Kensington, a gallant friend treated me to one last birthday dinner at the soon-to-be-gone neighbourhood gem, La Palette - a true Toronto original. And I discovered that at least one downtown hotel, Hotel Le Germain on Mercer, hasn't been completely airlifted in, thanks to their "Made in Toronto" tapas. Call it kitsch, but I love it.

Being furiously bitter need not keep you from being irrationally proud of your city - witness a New Yorker at the office water cooler to see this principle in action (I for one think the wrong George ran against Ford). So this winter, let's a) join one organization tackling a Toronto problem and work hard at it (a good way to mark the sacrifices we remember on Remembrance Day - be inspired by this Toronto example), b) remember that it's way worse in most other places on earth, c) be horrified at the idea of living anywhere else and d) get out and eat something tasty at whatever price point you can muster. May I suggest inexpensive Indian sweets at this most auspicious time of year?

Happy Diwali and Sal Mubarak!

Urmi Desai is editor of the Move Smartly blog and is responsible for Realosophy’s business development and marketing. Realosophy Realty Inc. Brokerage focuses on researching Toronto neighbourhoods to help their clients make smarter real estate decisions. Email Urmi

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TIFF Bell Lightbox Opens + TIFF Films to See + The Entertainment District Grows Up

Urmi Desai in Toronto Neighbourhoods, Urban Issues

Editor's Note: It's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) launch day today! If you are scrambling to figure out what to see, click on "continue reading" link below for a list of exciting films.

The Entertainment District (see Realosophy's Entertainment District neighbourhood profile) will see the opening of new landmark on September 12, the new Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Bell Lightbox, a one-size-fits-all hub for film in Toronto (there will be a public street festival to celebrate).

It's an exciting but anxious time for many of the city's dedicated film goers, particularly those of us who've been members of Cinematheque Ontario, a rep theatre dedicated to alternative and art cinema since 1990 (see Toronto Star's recent article on founding programmer James Quandt). As of September, Cinematheque will leave its often pilloried, but well loved home at the AGO's Jackmall Hall and move into the Lightbox, along with TIFF's year round programming and other community programming.

At the Lightbox, film grows up, graduating to food and drinks supplied by Oliver & Bonacini's casual O&B Canteen and upscale restaurant Luma. (For the chronically late, this may be an upgrade from running for a slice of pizza or some pub food and a hastily gulping down coffee before lining up at Jackmall Hall.) Growing up also means price hikes for tickets and memberships, and it will be interesting to see if the TIFF's CEO and supporters are making the right gamble in assuming that Toronto film lovers will (can) reach deep into their pockets to go bigger and flashier, all year round.

The Lightbox and its sophisticated hotel friends (Thompson, Ritz Carleton, Bisha) may also break up the interminable squabbling between the Entertainment District's clubland entrepreneurs and patrons and its residents. Like that predictable 2 am fight started by your cute, Neanderthal boyfriend from the other high school, the neighbourhood's insular battles have long bored the rest of the city, making a new storyline for the neighbourhood most welcome.

The opening of this year's TIFF this Thursday, September 9th gives you the perfect chance to check out some of the new architecture in the Entertainment District. If you are worried about crowds and overhyped films, opt to see a film from the festival's Discovery Programme, featuring new and emerging directors and their compelling films from around the world (screenings are at various festival theatres). For a budget friendly option, there is also the TIFF for Free Programme, which features free screenings of classic films at the Lightbox - expect more of a crowd. 

TIFF Discovery Programme and TIFF for Free films listed below. Please check with the TIFF box office for show times, locations and ticket prices.