Exploring Schools Across Our Communities
If you're considering a move, the local school boards are a great place to begin.
Georgina — Keswick, Sutton, Jackson's Point and Pefferlaw
Explore schools through the York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board.
Beaverton, Brock Township and surrounding Durham communities
Visit the Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board.
Orillia, Barrie, Innisfil and surrounding Simcoe County communities
Research schools through the Simcoe County District School Board and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
Kawartha Lakes — Lindsay, Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon
Visit the Trillium Lakelands District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board.
French-language education and Ontario School Finder
French-language education is also available in parts of the wider region. Families can explore Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.
The Ontario School Finder is another useful resource for researching publicly funded schools.
Remember: The closest school isn't necessarily the one your child will attend. Confirm attendance boundaries, program eligibility and transportation directly with the school board before purchasing your home.
Look Beyond Academic Rankings
Ontario's EQAO website provides school assessment results, which can be useful when comparing academic performance.
But test scores don't tell you everything about a school's environment.
Children spend a large part of their day at school. They should look forward to going, feel comfortable with their teachers, develop friendships and have the confidence to explore and learn.
Feeling safe is fundamental to all of that.
A child who is frightened of going to school or worried about being bullied isn't in the best environment to learn, regardless of how well that school performs academically.
Talk to Parents and Ask the Difficult Questions
If I were moving somewhere unfamiliar today with young children, one of the first things I'd do would be to speak with local parents.
Community Facebook groups can be particularly helpful.
Ask whether their children enjoy school, whether teachers are approachable and, importantly, how the administration responds when problems arise.
I'd also contact the principal and ask about bullying prevention, recess supervision, communication with parents and how serious incidents are handled.
Ontario school boards may have school climate survey results available, which can provide information about students' feelings of safety and belonging. It's worth asking to see them.
If possible, arrange a visit. Meeting staff and seeing the environment firsthand can be very worthwhile.
Why This Matters to Me Personally
When my children were young, we moved into what was considered a good neighbourhood, a new subdivision with brand-new schools. I naturally assumed we'd made a good choice.
Unfortunately, my son experienced serious bullying in Grade 1, and I was extremely disappointed with how the school handled it. Rather than addressing the behaviour effectively, their solution was to keep my son inside during recess.
Eventually, he was badly hurt at school, and I wasn't even informed until I arrived to collect him.
We ultimately sold our home and moved. With no other suitable local Catholic school option, I'd lost confidence in the administration and, sadly, fallen out of love with the area.
That experience taught me something I've never forgotten.
Bullying can happen in any school. What really matters is how the school responds, protects its students and works with parents to resolve problems.
Finding the Right Environment for Your Child
There are many wonderful schools throughout Lake Simcoe and surrounding areas, with dedicated teachers, caring administrators and opportunities for children to develop and grow.
But every school has its own environment, and it's worth taking the time to understand that environment before deciding where to live.
Talk to other parents. Meet the principal. Research school programs and ask how children are supported when difficulties arise.
Academic results have their place, but particularly in the elementary years, I believe a child's happiness, wellbeing and sense of security should come first.
A child who feels safe, happy and supported is in a much better position to learn, develop confidence and thrive.
And ultimately, isn't that what we all want for our children?
If you're considering a move to Lake Simcoe and surrounding areas, including Georgina, Beaverton, Orillia or the Kawarthas, I'd be happy to help you explore neighbourhoods and point you towards resources that can help you make an informed decision.