For families considering a move to Toronto’s East End, schools often top the list of priorities when choosing the perfect neighbourhood. As parents ourselves, we understand that finding the right educational environment for your children isn’t just about test scores and rankings – it’s about finding a place where your child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Toronto’s East End neighbourhoods – including Leslieville, Riverdale, The Beaches, Danforth Village, and East York – are home to some of the city’s most sought-after schools. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the educational landscape as you search for your family’s new home.
Recent EQAO Results: How East End Schools Compare
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments provide standardized measurements of student achievement across Ontario. While these scores shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision, they can offer helpful insights into academic performance.
For the 2023-2024 school year, several East End schools scored significantly above the provincial average:
| School | Grade 3 Reading | Grade 3 Math | Grade 6 Reading | Grade 6 Math |
| Withrow Avenue PS | 88% | 86% | 92% | 85% |
| Jackman Avenue JPS | 90% | 89% | 93% | 87% |
| Kew Beach JPS | 87% | 84% | 89% | 82% |
| Morse Street JPS | 83% | 80% | 87% | 79% |
| Provincial Average | 75% | 72% | 82% | 75% |
Note: These results reflect the percentage of students meeting or exceeding provincial standards.
Public Elementary Schools
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) operates several highly-regarded elementary schools throughout the East End:
Withrow Avenue Public School
Location: South Riverdale
Grades: JK-8
Special Programs: French Immersion starting in Senior Kindergarten
Why Families Love It: Withrow consistently ranks among the top performers on standardized tests, but parents particularly praise its tight-knit community feel and extensive outdoor space. The school’s eco-initiatives and community garden are highlights for environmentally-conscious families.
Jackman Avenue Junior Public School
Location: Playter Estates-Danforth
Grades: JK-6
Special Programs: Gifted program, dedicated music program
Why Families Love It: Known for its strong parent involvement and enriched arts curriculum. The school’s heritage building has been beautifully maintained while offering modern learning facilities.
Kew Beach Junior Public School
Location: The Beaches
Grades: JK-6
Special Programs: Vocal music, extensive sports programs
Why Families Love It: Its proximity to the beach allows for unique outdoor education opportunities. The school has a strong focus on environmental stewardship and regularly utilizes the beach and boardwalk as extensions of the classroom.
Morse Street Junior Public School
Location: Leslieville
Grades: JK-6
Special Programs: Early French Immersion
Why Families Love It: This school has seen tremendous growth in reputation alongside Leslieville’s family-friendly transformation. Parents appreciate the diverse student population and the school’s commitment to inclusive education.
Planning to Move This Year?
Catholic Schools
The Toronto Catholic District School Board offers several outstanding options in the East End:
St. Denis Catholic School
Location: East York
Grades: JK-8
Special Programs: Extended French program (Gr. 5-8)
Why Families Love It: Consistently strong academic results combined with an emphasis on community service and social justice initiatives.
St. Joseph Catholic School
Location: Leslieville
Grades: JK-8
Special Programs: Special Education programs
Why Families Love It: Known for its strong sense of community and excellent music program. Many parents appreciate the smaller school size and the individualized attention students receive.
Private and Alternative Schools
For families considering options beyond the public system, the East End offers several respected alternatives:
Beaches Alternative School
Location: The Beaches
Grades: JK-6
Tuition: Public (no tuition, operates within TDSB)
Philosophy: Child-centered learning with significant parent involvement
Why Families Love It: This alternative school operates within the public system but offers a unique approach focused on student-directed learning and extensive parental involvement in the classroom.
Children’s Garden School
Location: Danforth Village
Grades: Pre-K to Grade 3
Tuition: Approximately $16,000/year
Philosophy: Montessori-inspired with small class sizes
Why Families Love It: The nurturing environment and individualized attention make this an excellent option for early education. The school limits class sizes to ensure personalized learning experiences.
Avalon Children’s Montessori School
Location: The Beaches
Grades: Pre-K to Grade 8
Tuition: $14,000-$18,000/year
Philosophy: Authentic Montessori education
Why Families Love It: True to Montessori principles, Avalon offers multi-age classrooms and self-directed learning. The beautiful campus and experienced, dedicated teachers make this a popular choice for families seeking an alternative to traditional education.
Secondary Schools
Looking ahead to the teenage years, the East End boasts several excellent secondary education options:
Riverdale Collegiate Institute
Location: Leslieville/Riverdale
Grades: 9-12
Special Programs: IB Program, TOPS Program for gifted students in math and sciences
Why Families Love It: One of the city’s oldest schools, Riverdale combines historic charm with modern facilities. Its International Baccalaureate program attracts academically motivated students from across the city.
Malvern Collegiate Institute
Location: The Beaches
Grades: 9-12
Special Programs: Strong visual and performing arts programs
Why Families Love It: Dating back to 1903, Malvern has a storied history and strong school spirit. The comprehensive arts programs and excellent athletic facilities make it a well-rounded option for teenagers.
Notre Dame High School
Location: East York
Grades: 9-12
Special Programs: Advanced Placement courses, extensive athletic programs
Why Families Love It: This all-girls Catholic secondary school is known for its supportive environment and strong academic preparation for university.
Understanding School Catchments and Property Values
One crucial aspect of school selection in Toronto is understanding catchment areas – the geographic boundaries that determine eligibility for attendance at specific public schools.
In the East End, homes within certain school catchments often command premium prices, reflecting the desirability of particular schools. For example:
- Withrow Avenue PS Catchment: Properties here typically sell for 10-15% above similar homes outside the catchment
- Jackman Avenue JPS Catchment: The “Jackman premium” is well-known among East End real estate professionals, with homes often selling for 15-20% more than comparable properties nearby
- Beaches Alternative School: While technically available to all through application, proximity is considered in admission, making nearby properties more desirable to families interested in this program
When working with families, we always provide detailed catchment information for any property of interest, including both the designated “home school” and optional attendance areas where applicable.
Interactive School Finder Tool
To help you better understand school catchment boundaries, the Toronto District School Board offers an interactive School Finder tool.
For Catholic schools, the TCDSB provides a similar School Locator tool.
As an additional service to our clients, Halyard Group offers custom mapping of properties of interest alongside school catchment boundaries to help you visualize your options.
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
Finding the perfect balance between your ideal home and the right school requires careful consideration of your family’s unique needs and priorities. Here are some questions we often discuss with our clients:
- Is being within walking distance of the school a priority?
- Are you interested in specialty programs like French Immersion or arts-focused education?
- How important is school size to your child’s learning style?
- Are you considering private education options, and if so, what is your budget?
- Are you planning to stay in the home long-term, requiring consideration of both elementary and secondary options?
Beyond Test Scores: Visiting Schools
While rankings and test scores can provide useful data points, there’s no substitute for visiting schools in person. Most schools offer regular tours or open houses for prospective families. We’re always happy to arrange our showings around school visit schedules to help you get a comprehensive feel for both the potential home and the educational environment.
Need More Information?
Education options are a crucial factor in any family’s home buying decision. If you’d like personalized guidance on finding a home within your preferred school catchment, or if you have questions about specific schools in Toronto’s East End, we’re here to help.
Reach out today to discuss how we can help your family find the perfect home and school combination in Toronto’s vibrant East End.
School Registration Deadlines and Open Houses (Spring 2025)
Planning ahead is essential when it comes to school registration and transfers. Here are the upcoming important dates for families considering a move to the East End:
TDSB Schools
- Elementary Registration for 2025-2026 School Year: Ongoing through April 30, 2025
- Optional Attendance Applications: Deadline has passed for 2025-2026 (was February 1, 2025)
- French Immersion Application Deadline: Next window opens November 2025 for 2026-2027 entry
TCDSB Schools
- New Registrations: Ongoing, but early registration recommended
- Kindergarten Registration: Continues through May 15, 2025
Upcoming Open Houses
- Withrow Avenue PS: April 12, 2025 (10am-12pm)
- Riverdale Collegiate Institute: May 2, 2025 (6pm-8pm)
- Children’s Garden School: Every Thursday in April (9:30am, by appointment)
- Avalon Children’s Montessori: Virtual tours available by appointment
We recommend confirming these dates directly with the schools as they may be subject to change.
This article was last updated in March 2025. School catchment boundaries and programs may change, and we recommend verifying current information with the school boards before making decisions based on school catchments.
