Who Runs Markham’s Schools

Each board sets its own attendance areas and admission rules. Markham also has independent schools with their own admissions and tuition, which some families consider alongside the public and Catholic options.

Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, has families confirm school boundaries with the board for each specific address before they make an offer, because a home a few streets away can be in a different attendance area.

Markham High Schools Parents Ask About

Specialized programs often have their own application process, and students may come from outside the local attendance area. Check each program’s current requirements and deadlines with the board, since many applications close in the fall for the following school year.

How School Rankings Work

The Fraser Institute ranks Ontario schools using indicators drawn from provincial tests run by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which measure literacy and math. Rankings are a useful starting point, but they measure test results, not everything that matters. Programs, class sizes, arts and sports, special education support and whether a school suits your child are not in the score.

Many parents also review EQAO results directly, visit schools, and talk to families who already attend. Rankings shift from year to year, so look at several years rather than one.

Choosing an Elementary School

For younger children, many families care most about the walk to school, before- and after-school care, French Immersion options and class sizes. YRDSB offers French Immersion starting in Grade 1 at designated schools, with its own registration process. Catholic elementary schools follow YCDSB admission rules.

Because elementary schools serve smaller areas, boundaries matter even more. Use the board’s school locator for the exact address, then call the school to confirm current boundaries and capacity.

Questions to Ask on a School Visit

• How large are classes, and how are combined grades handled?
• What programs are offered, such as French Immersion, arts, sports, robotics or music?
• What support is available for students who need extra help or enrichment?
• Is there before- and after-school care on site, and is there a waitlist?
• How do most students get to school: walking, bus or drop-off?
• Are any boundary reviews or new schools planned nearby?

The answers often tell parents more about daily life at a school than any ranking can, and they help compare two homes that look similar on paper.

Boundaries, Holding Schools and Program Seats

• Boundaries change. YRDSB says attendance areas are subject to change based on enrolment, new schools and program changes.
• Holding schools. In new or growing areas, students may attend a holding school until long-term space is available.
• Program seats. An address alone does not secure a spot in arts, IB or gifted programs.

New housing can change enrolment over time, so check nearby development as well. See Markham’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods.

Do Schools Affect Home Prices?

Demand near well-regarded schools is real, and it can help homes in popular attendance areas sell faster or hold value. Research is more cautious than the common belief. A UBC Sauder School of Business study of Vancouver sales found school quality mattered mainly at the top of the market, with no measurable effect on the least expensive 75% of homes. That study used older Vancouver data, so treat it as a guide, not a Markham price list.

Compare recent sales inside and just outside an attendance area before deciding how much a school is worth to you.

A Parent’s School Checklist Before Buying

1. Look up the home’s schools with the YRDSB and YCDSB school locators.
2. Call the schools to confirm boundaries, capacity and any planned changes.
3. Check program application rules and the current year’s deadlines.
4. Visit, and look beyond the ranking at programs, culture and the daily commute.
5. Build school checks into your offer timeline, so you can confirm before firming up.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information.

Next Steps

• Markham neighbourhood guide: compare areas by schools, parks and commute.
• Buying a home in Markham: how the Kaizen Real Estate Team helps families shortlist homes.
• Moving from Toronto: why families are choosing Markham.

Work With Michael John Lau in Markham

Michael John Lau helps Markham buyers and sellers turn market numbers into a clear plan for their own situation. That means looking past city-wide averages to recent sales on your street, explaining the reasoning behind every recommendation, and making sure you have the information you need to decide with confidence.

📞 Contact Michael John Lau, REALTOR®
🌐 www.callmikelau.com
🏡 www.livinginmarkham.ca
🏢 www.kaizenrealestate.ca