The Short Answer
What are the best schools in Markham? Based on the most recent Fraser Institute Report Card (2023-24 EQAO data), Markham's top-rated secondary schools include St. Augustine Catholic High School at approximately 9.6 out of 10, Pierre Elliott Trudeau at 9.5, Bur Oak at 9.3, and Markville and Unionville both around 9.0. Markham's ranked schools average roughly 8.0 out of 10, well above the provincial norm. Rankings are one input, not the whole story.
Markham is renowned for its schools, and for good reason. The city is home to some of the highest-ranked public and Catholic schools in Ontario. If you want the names and the numbers, here they are, drawn from the most recent Fraser Institute Report Card.
Michael John Lau, top real estate agent in Markham Ontario, lays out the ratings and what they actually mean for families and home values.
About These Rankings
Figures below come from the Fraser Institute's Report Card on Ontario's Schools, released in late 2025 and based on 2023-24 EQAO results. Ratings are out of 10.
Read This Before the Numbers
Rankings change every year. They measure academic indicators only, drawn largely from standardized testing. And the Fraser Institute itself advises that its Report Card should not be the sole basis for choosing a school. Confirm current data at compareschoolrankings.org and always verify a home's assigned school with the board.
Top-Ranked Secondary Schools
School | Rating | Communities Served | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
St. Augustine Catholic HS | ~9.6 | Catholic catchment incl. Cachet area | Among Ontario's highest-rated Catholic secondary schools |
Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS | ~9.5 | Cachet, Angus Glen, Berczy Village | Approximately #6 of roughly 747 Ontario secondary schools. French Immersion, AP, SHSM |
Bur Oak SS | ~9.3 | Wismer Commons, parts of Greensborough | Opened 2007 and climbed rapidly. A key driver of Wismer family demand |
Markville SS | ~9.0 | Raymerville, Markville corridor | Roughly #18 in Ontario. Supports central Markham values |
Unionville HS | ~9.0 | Unionville, Old Town area | Arts Unionville, among Ontario's most prestigious arts programs |
Neeraj Moolchandani on Using Rankings Without Being Ruled by Them
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTOR® at Kaizen Real Estate, points out that the gap between a 9.5 school and a 9.0 school is far smaller than the price gap between their catchments. Families sometimes stretch six figures to move from one strong school to a marginally stronger one, when both would serve their child well. He asks buyers to look honestly at whether the rating difference justifies the budget difference for their particular situation.
Neeraj's other observation concerns the timing of the data. These ratings reflect 2023-24 EQAO results published in late 2025, so a family buying in 2026 is acting on results that are already two years old and will be superseded. A school that has been consistently strong across many years is a far safer basis for a purchase than one that had a single excellent year, and looking at the multi-year pattern rather than the current number is how experienced buyers approach this.
The Elementary Picture
On the elementary side, Markham has roughly 57 ranked schools averaging around 8.0 out of 10. Stonebridge Public School is among the highest-rated public elementary schools in the city, cited near 8.8 in recent rankings, and it feeds into Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
Feeder schools to Pierre Elliott Trudeau include Ashton Meadows, Beckett Farm, Castlemore, and Stonebridge. On the Catholic and French-language side, schools including St. Augustine and Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys rank among the city's top performers.
For families with young children, the elementary assignment shapes daily life for a decade before secondary school ever becomes relevant. It deserves at least as much research as the high school does, and it must be verified separately, because elementary and secondary catchments do not always align.
Why Rankings Drive Markham Real Estate
In Markham, top schools translate directly into demand. Homes within the boundaries of highly rated schools consistently see stronger, steadier buyer interest and command a school-zone premium. Families search specifically for homes in these catchments, which makes those neighbourhoods among the most competitive in the city.
For sellers inside a top boundary, that catchment is a genuine asset worth stating accurately in marketing. For buyers, it is both a lifestyle and a long-term value consideration.
The Caveat That Matters Most
The boundary is what determines access, and boundaries do not follow neighbourhood names. Two homes on the same street can fall into different catchments. Confirm any home's assigned school directly with the board before buying, and remember the Fraser Institute's own advice that rankings measure academics rather than programs, culture, or fit.
Match the School to the Child, Then Find the Home
Ratings build a shortlist. Boundaries decide access. Book a private consultation with the Kaizen Real Estate Team.
Michael John Lau, top real estate agent in Markham Ontario, helps families connect the schools they want to the homes and boundaries that actually deliver them. Understanding the rankings is the start. Matching them to the right address is where it counts.