The first Sat of every month, Realosophy hosts our popular Schools for Home Buyers Workshop. Free for all to attend, we share our proprietary analytics on the relationship between school quality and house prices in Toronto -all assessed at the microlevel of the individual school district. If you want to learn which school districts offer the most value for your housing dollar, book your spot - next session is this Sat Feb 2nd at 12pm noon (sign
up below).
And now for our latest Realosophy Top Ten - Toronto's Best "Alternative" or "Specialized" Elementary Schools. If you still suffer flashbacks of that rather grim day spent choosing between Mr. Grimes's shop class and Ms. Cleeney's home economics course, it may surprise (or infuriate) you to learn that many of Toronto's youngest students are already studying electronics and graphic design. ("I coulda been a contender!")
This week, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has updated the status of elementary schools, letting you know which schools are now accepting students from outside designated catchment areas. Among the most popular are those designated as "Alternative" or "Specialized." While the Board may be clear on these bureaucratic differentiators, the differences are hard to discern online (a quick look at any school's What Sets Us Apart webpage makes you hope they are not teaching any students marketing or "writing to explain.")
Kristen, the newest member of our intrepid Realosophy Analytics team, has chopped through the cyberjungle that is the interlinked websites of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), individual schools and the Ontario Ministry of Education to help you navigate. One rough distinction to keep in mind is that "Alternative" schools
feature smaller class sizes and unique programs such as environmental
awareness, while "Specialized" schools cater to students with a special
interest in (and in some cases, a demonstrated talent for) particular
fields such as arts or athletics.
As always, we strongly advise you to visit each individual school in order to 1) figure out what really sets them apart and 2) figure out if you can get in. (Phone numbers provided below.)
Best Toronto Elementary Schools - Alternative or Specialized
Understanding the Data
- The Province of Ontario's Education Quality and Accountability
Office (EQAO) scores (0-100%) indicate the number of students at or
above the provincial standard in a subject. - Covers all TDSB schools - the province does not report results for some schools which are
excluded. - Schools are ranked by Realosophy Overall Score. Overall Score represents average EQAO score for 6 tests written by elementary students in 2011-2012 (for elementary schools, these tests are Reading, Writing and Math at Gr. 3 and 6 levels).
- Note:
the province does not report some test scores for some schools - these test scores are excluded. - Note: While a school may be co-located with a mainstream school, it may operate on a completely separate basis.
- Type: Alternative (smaller classes and different approach to learning) or Specialized (focused on a particular field, e.g., Arts or Athletics)
- Status: Open (students outside catchment can request to attend), Closed (catchment only), Application (requires application and/or audition)
- Average House Price is for period of Jan to Aug 2012 (based on Toronto Real Estate Board TREB) data).
| 1. Claude Watson School for the Arts |
See all houses for sale near Claude Watson |
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Neighbourhood: Willowdale Grades: 1-8 Enrollment: 301 Address: 130 Doris Avenue Phone: 416 395 3180 Type: Specialized Focus: Arts Status: Application Avg. House Price: $564,972 |
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Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Claude Watson |
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| 2. Harrison Public School |
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Neighbourhood: York Mills Grades: JK-6 Enrollment: 231 Address: 81 Harrison Road Phone 416 395 2530 Type: Specialized Focus: International Baccalaureate Status: Closed (Full) Avg. House Price: $1,543,218 |
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Harrison Public School |
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| 3. Cedarvale Community School | See all houses for sale near Cedarvale | |
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Neighbourhood: Humewood-Cedarvale Grades: JK-8 Enrollment: 261 Address: 145 Ava Road Phone: 416 394 2244 Type: Specialized Focus: International Baccalaureate Status: Open Avg. House Price: $774,059
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Cedarvale Community School | ||
| 4. Hawthorne II Bilingual Alternative Junior School | See all houses for sale near Hawthorne II | |
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Neighbourhood: Christie Pits Grades: JK-6 Enrollment: 198 Address: 50 Essex Street Phone: 416 393 0727 Type: Alternative Focus: Bilingual; Extended French Status: Open (Lottery) Avg. House Price: $650,310 |
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Hawthorne II |
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| 5. Karen Kain School of the Arts | See all houses for sale near Karen Kain | |||
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Neighbourhood: The Queensway Grades: 6-8 Enrollment: 178 Address: 60 Berl Avenue Phone: 416 394 7979 Type: Specialized Focus: Arts Status: Application Avg. House Price: $513,201 |
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Karen Kain | ||||
| 6. Faywood Arts-Based Curriculum School | See all houses for sale near Faywood | |
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Neighbourhood: Bathurst Manor Grades: JK-8 Enrollment: 373 Address: 95 Faywood Blvd Phone: 416 395 2390 Type: Specialized Focus: Arts-Based Status: Open Avg. House Price: $619,517 |
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Faywood |
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| 7. Charles H Best Middle School |
See all houses for sale near Charles H Best | |
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Neighbourhood: Bathurst Manor Grades: 5-8 Enrollment: 310 Address: 285 Wilmington Ave Phone: 416 395 2170 Type: Specialized Focus: Cyber Arts Status: Open (Application to Cyber Arts Program) Avg. House Price: $619,517 |
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Charles H Best Middle School |
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| 8. Africentric Alternative Public School | See all houses for sale near Africentric Alternative | |
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Neighbourhood: Downsview Grades: JK-8 Enrollment: 156 Address: 1430 Sheppard Ave W (At Sheppard Public School) Phone: 416 395 5251 Type: Alternative Focus: Africentric Status: Open (Waitlist) Avg. House Price: $439,643 |
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Africentric Alternative Public School |
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| 9. Hollycrest Middle School | See all houses for sale near Hollycrest | |
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Neighbourhood: Centennial Park Grades: 4-8 Enrollment: 336 Address: 630 Renforth Drive Phone: 416 394 7050 Type: Specialized Focus: Athletics Status: Open (Limited Space; Application to Athletics Program) Avg. House Price: $345,423 |
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| Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Hollycrest Middle School | ||
| 10. Fairmount Public School | See all houses for sale near Fairmount | |
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Neighbourhood: Cliffcrest Grades: JK-8 Enrollment: 287 Address: 31 Sloley Rd Phone: 416 396 6240 Type: Specialized Focus: Arts-Based Status: Open Avg. House Price: $534,218 |
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Browse detailed school scores and demographic data for Fairmount Public School |
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Realosophy Realty Inc. Brokerage is an innovative residential real estate brokerage in Toronto. A leader in real estate analytics and
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right way.
