Top Ranked High Schools in Markham, Richmond Hill and Thornhill (2025 Fraser Rankings): What Home Buyers Should Know

For many of the families I work with, the school zone is the first filter, before price, before the kitchen. York Region has some of the highest ranked high schools in Ontario, and they sit right in my core area. Here is what the latest rankings say, and the things buyers need to check so the school they want is the school their child actually attends.

The top ranked high schools in Markham, Richmond Hill and Thornhill

The Fraser Institute's 2025 report ranked 747 public, Catholic and independent high schools across Ontario, using seven indicators based on provincial test results. Several schools tied for first in the province with perfect scores, and three of them are in York Region:

School	Area	Board	2025 Ontario rank
St. Augustine Catholic High School	Markham	York Catholic	Tied 1st of 747
St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School	Richmond Hill	York Catholic	Tied 1st of 747
St. Robert Catholic High School	Thornhill	York Catholic	Tied 1st of 747
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School	Markham	York Region District	Top 10

Other well known York Region options include Bayview Secondary School in Richmond Hill, which offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and Markville Secondary School in Unionville, known for its music program.

In Toronto, the 2025 top 10 included St. Michael's Choir School, Ursula Franklin Academy and Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts. These are specialty schools where admission is by application or audition, not by home address.

What the rankings measure, and what they do not

The Fraser rankings are built from provincial test results, such as EQAO math and the literacy test. They are a useful snapshot of academic results, but they do not measure everything a family cares about, like programs, sports, arts, class sizes or how a school fits your child. I always suggest visiting the school and talking to parents in the neighbourhood.

Five things to check before you buy for a school zone

1. Confirm the exact address with the school board. Use the York Region District School Board or York Catholic District School Board school locator for the specific home, not the neighbourhood. Two homes on the same street can belong to different schools.
2. Ask about capacity. Some popular schools are full, and new students in the boundary can be redirected to another school. Call the school or board before you firm up.
3. Know which programs are by application. Programs like IB, gifted and arts are often by application or testing. Living in the boundary alone does not guarantee a spot.
4. Check the Catholic board's admission rules. Admission rules for Catholic schools differ from the public board. Confirm your child's eligibility with York Catholic before you rely on a Catholic school.
5. Make it part of your offer plan. If the school is the reason you are buying, we verify it before the offer, not after. I check boundaries for every home my clients seriously consider.

Why school zones matter when you sell, too

In my experience, homes in sought after school zones draw more buyers and hold their value better through slower markets. If you are selling in one of these zones, the school belongs at the top of your marketing.

Common questions about schools in York Region

What is the best high school in Markham?

In the Fraser Institute's 2025 Ontario rankings, St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham tied for first in the province with a perfect score. Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Markham, a public school, also placed in the provincial top 10.

What is the best high school in Richmond Hill?

St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School tied for first in Ontario in the 2025 Fraser rankings. Bayview Secondary School is another popular choice for its IB Diploma Programme, which admits students by application.

What is the top ranked high school in Thornhill?

St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill tied for first in Ontario in the 2025 Fraser Institute rankings, with a perfect score.

Does buying a home in a school boundary guarantee my child a spot?

Not always. Your address sets your home school, but full schools can redirect new students, and specialty programs like IB or gifted are by application. Always confirm with the school board before you buy.

Where do the school rankings come from?

The Fraser Institute publishes yearly report cards that rank Ontario schools using provincial test results. The 2025 secondary report ranked 747 schools.

Buying for a school zone?

Tell me which schools are on your list and I will find homes inside those boundaries, verify each one with the board, and show you what they are actually selling for. Send me a message or call or text 647-965-7834. Comparing areas? See my guides to Markham, Richmond Hill and Thornhill.

Rankings from the Fraser Institute's 2025 Report Card on Ontario's Secondary Schools. School boundaries and programs change, so always confirm with the school board.