Toronto has some of the best high schools in Canada, offering public, Catholic, private, and international options. The Canadian education system is known worldwide for its high standards, and public schools in Toronto are free for all residents, including expats.
Many families also choose private or international schools because they often offer boarding, more extracurricular activities, and a global learning environment. International schools usually follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Canadian curriculum and have students from many different countries.
English is the main language used in schools, but French and other languages are also available. Toronto is a diverse city, so children can experience many cultures and languages.
Best High Schools in Toronto Ontario
1. Branksome Hall
Branksome Hall, established in 1903, is a top-tier all-girls IB World School in Toronto, offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Known for its feminist ethos and cutting-edge facilities, Branksome fosters leadership and innovation. The school’s 13-acre campus includes a rooftop learning terrace and a STEM wing with robotics labs.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: IB Diploma + Women in STEM Initiative
- Notable Facility: Innovation Hub with 3D printers and AI labs
- Alumni: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, tech entrepreneurs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1903 |
| Enrollment | ~900 students |
| Gender | All-girls |
| Type | Independent, Day & Boarding |
| Year Range | JK–12 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
Did You Know?
Branksome’s student-run investment fund manages a $250,000 portfolio.
2. Crescent School
Crescent School, founded in 1913, is a prestigious all-boys school in Toronto emphasizing “Men of Character.” Its cutting-edge programs include entrepreneurship courses and a renowned robotics team. The school’s 37-acre campus features a makerspace and a business incubator.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: Business Leadership Certificate
- Notable Facility: AI and robotics lab
- Alumni: NHL players, Fortune 500 executives
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1913 |
| Enrollment | ~750 students |
| Gender | All-boys |
| Type | Independent, Day |
| Year Range | 3–12 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
Did You Know?
Crescent’s robotics team has won 3 world championships.
3. Havergal College
Founded in 1894, Havergal College is a leading all-girls boarding and day school in Toronto. Known for its academic excellence and vibrant arts programs, Havergal offers AP courses and a global exchange network spanning 20+ countries.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: Global Education & Sustainability Initiative
- Notable Facility: Award-winning arts wing with a black-box theater
- Alumni: Supreme Court justices, Broadway actors
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1894 |
| Enrollment | ~1,000 students |
| Gender | All-girls |
| Type | Independent, Day & Boarding |
| Year Range | JK–12 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
Did You Know?
Havergal’s archives include letters from suffragette leader Nellie McClung.
4. Upper Canada College
Established in 1829, UCC is Canada’s oldest independent all-boys school, offering the IB and AP programs. Its 35-acre campus in Toronto features a observatory and a hockey arena. UCC’s alumni network includes prime ministers and Nobel laureates.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: IB + Aerospace Engineering elective
- Notable Facility: Planetarium and flight simulator
- Alumni: 2 Canadian PMs, 10 Olympians
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1829 |
| Enrollment | ~1,200 students |
| Gender | All-boys |
| Type | Independent, Day & Boarding |
| Year Range | SK–12 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
Did You Know?
UCC’s hockey team invented the “flying W” formation later adopted by the NHL.
5. Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Agincourt Collegiate Institute, founded in 1915, is one of Toronto’s oldest and most diverse public high schools, known for its strong academic programs and vibrant multicultural community. With a focus on STEM and arts, the school offers specialized pathways in robotics, digital media, and international languages. Its state-of-the-art facilities include a film studio and a fully equipped engineering lab. Agincourt’s alumni include tech entrepreneurs, Olympians, and award-winning filmmakers.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: Sci-Tech Academy & Digital Arts Certification
- Notable Facility: Film production studio with green screen
- Alumni: NASA engineer, TIFF-winning director
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1915 |
| Enrollment | ~1,400 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 9–12 |
| Location | Scarborough, Toronto |
Did You Know?
Agincourt’s robotics team competes internationally and has won awards for AI-driven designs.
6. Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute
Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, named after Canada’s first astronaut, is a Toronto STEM powerhouse offering the prestigious TOPS (Talented Offerings for Programs in the Sciences) program. Founded in 1973, the school attracts top science and math students, with 98% graduating to university. Its facilities include a space simulation lab and a genetics research center.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: TOPS (Advanced Sciences & Math)
- Notable Facility: Zero-gravity experiment lab
- Alumni: 3 Rhodes Scholars, SpaceX engineers
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1973 |
| Enrollment | ~1,200 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 9–12 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
Did You Know?
Students collaborate with the Canadian Space Agency on microgravity projects.
7. West Humber Collegiate Institute
West Humber Collegiate Institute, established in 1968, is a dynamic public school in Etobicoke known for its specialized arts and athletics programs. The school’s performing arts department produces Broadway-level musicals, while its sports teams have won provincial titles in basketball and soccer. The campus includes a 500-seat theater and an Olympic-sized track.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: Arts Express (Drama/Music/Dance)
- Notable Facility: Professional-grade recording studio
- Alumni: Juno Award winners, CFL players
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 |
| Enrollment | ~900 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 9–12 |
| Location | Etobicoke, Toronto |
Did You Know?
The school’s annual musical sells out Toronto’s RBC Centre.
8. Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute
Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute, founded in 1963, is a Scarborough icon celebrated for its academic rigor and diverse student body. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a renowned Cyber Arts program. Its alumni include tech CEOs and Pulitzer finalists. The campus features a cybersecurity lab and a student-run news broadcast studio.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Program: Cyber Arts & AP Capstone
- Notable Facility: Ethical hacking lab
- Alumni: Google AI researchers, bestselling authors
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1963 |
| Enrollment | ~1,100 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 9–12 |
| Location | Scarborough, Toronto |
Did You Know?
Students developed an app to combat cyberbullying, adopted by Toronto DSB.
9. Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts
Founded in 1990, Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts is Toronto’s premier Catholic arts-focused high school, offering intensive programs in dance, drama, music, visual arts, and musical theatre. The school’s state-of-the-art facilities include a 350-seat professional theatre with fly gallery, digital recording studios, and dedicated art galleries. Students balance rigorous academics with daily arts training, regularly winning national competitions and earning spots in prestigious arts programs. The school’s alumni include Broadway performers, Juno Award winners, and internationally exhibited visual artists.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Programs: Musical Theatre Specialization, Digital Arts Conservatory
- Notable Facility: The Cardinal Carter Theatre with full technical capabilities
- Alumni: 3 Stratford Festival actors, Grammy-nominated producer
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1990 |
| Enrollment | ~600 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Catholic, Arts-Focused |
| Year Range | 9-12 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
Did You Know?
The school’s annual “Arts Night” attracts talent scouts from major Canadian arts institutions.
10. Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
Established in 1928, Etobicoke Collegiate Institute is one of Toronto’s oldest schools with a proud tradition of academic excellence and championship athletics. The historic building features original 1920s architecture alongside modern STEM labs and a recently renovated library learning commons. Known for its strong Advanced Placement program and elite hockey academy, ECI balances tradition with innovation. Notable alumni include Nobel laureates, NHL players, and a former Ontario Premier.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Programs: AP Capstone, Elite Hockey Development Program
- Notable Facility: Added the heritage auditorium with original 1928 pipe organ (a rare feature in high schools)
- Alumni: 2 Nobel Prize winners, 12 NHL players
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1928 |
| Enrollment | ~1,100 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 9-12 |
| Location | Etobicoke, Toronto |
Did You Know?
The school’s hockey team has produced more NHL draft picks than any other Canadian high school.
11. North Albion Collegiate Institute
North Albion Collegiate Institute, serving Toronto’s Rexdale community since 1963, is recognized for its innovative technology programs and diverse student body. The school specializes in aerospace engineering, computer science, and skilled trades, with partnerships with Bombardier and local unions. Its cutting-edge facilities include flight simulators, a manufacturing lab, and Toronto’s first high school drone racing course. NACI’s focus on hands-on learning prepares students for immediate career opportunities.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Programs: Aerospace Engineering, Drone Technology Certification
- Notable Facility: Aviation Simulation Lab
- Alumni: Air Canada pilots, SpaceX engineers
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1963 |
| Enrollment | ~800 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 9-12 |
| Location | Rexdale, Toronto |
Did You Know?
Students built a functional airplane that was displayed at the Canadian National Exhibition.
12. North Toronto Collegiate Institute
North Toronto Collegiate Institute, founded in 1910, is one of Canada’s most academically prestigious public schools, with a 100% university acceptance rate. The school’s striking modern campus features a rooftop garden, Olympic-sized pool, and advanced research labs. NT’s renowned International Baccalaureate program and extensive AP offerings attract top students from across Toronto. The school is particularly known for its championship debating team and Model UN program.
Key Highlights:
- Signature Programs: IB Diploma, Elite Scholars Program
- Notable Facility: University-level research laboratories
- Alumni: 5 Rhodes Scholars, Supreme Court Justice
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1910 |
| Enrollment | ~1,300 students |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 9-12 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
Did You Know?
NT’s debating team has won the World Schools Debating Championship twice.
Best Catholic High Schools in Toronto
Q: What are the top Catholic high schools in Toronto?
A: The most prestigious include:
- St. Michael’s Choir School (Arts focus)
- Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts
- St. Francis Xavier (STEM programs)
Key Features:
- IB/AP offerings at select schools
- Strong faith-based education
- 100% university acceptance rates at top schools
Best Private High Schools in Toronto
Q: Which private schools rank highest?
A: Top 3 consistently:
- Upper Canada College (All-boys, est. 1829)
- Havergal College (All-girls, IB program)
- Toronto French School (Bilingual education)
Advantages:
- Average class size: 12-18 students
- 95%+ admission to Tier 1 universities
- Extensive extracurriculars (e.g., robotics, debate)
Best Public High Schools in Toronto
Q: What public schools excel academically?
A: Leaders by Fraser Institute rankings:
- North Toronto Collegiate Institute (IB school)
- Marc Garneau CI (TOPS STEM program)
- Bloor CI (Arts & Sciences)
Standout Stats:
- 98% graduation rate at top schools
- Specialized programs like cyber arts/AI labs
- No tuition fees (vs. $30K-$70K for private)