The desire of any parent is a quality education for their children. In Toronto there are many private schools out there, but they can get expensive. Still, there are numerous public schools in Toronto that have excellent academic results. If you’re thinking about moving to Toronto soon, you might want to consider moving near one of the best elementary public schools. MovingWaldo has gathered public elementary school ranking data in Toronto from Fraser Institute and organized this data by neighbourhood with the goal of helping parents find the right neighbourhood with the best school for their children.
For a quick summary of every neighbourhood, jump to the recap!
While gathering this data, MovingWaldo has made the following conclusions:
Of all the neighbourhoods with the best public elementary schools in Toronto, Rosedale-Moore Park is the most expensive neighbourhood to purchase in with an average home price of $2,921,164.
Of all the neighbourhoods with the best public elementary schools in Toronto, West Deane Park has the most affordable rent. The average 2-bedroom rent in West Deane Park is $2,399.
Of all the neighbourhoods with the best public elementary schools in Toronto, Iroquois has the cheapest average sale price which makes it affordable to afford a home. The average sale price in Iroquois is $851,697.
Of all the neighborhoods in Toronto with the best public elementary schools, Willowdale East stands out as the most family-friendly. It is a safe neighborhood with plenty of parks and trails, offers numerous activities for children, has one of the top-rated public schools, and features housing prices that are affordable for what the area provides.
MovingWaldo has gathered data from only the best schools with ratings of 9 and above and has placed them in various Toronto neighbourhoods. While each of these neighbourhoods have excellent schools, some parents may have preferences with regards to the convenience and vibe of the area as well. MovingWaldo has also created detailed descriptions of each neighbourhood by indicating the strengths and weaknesses along with the walk scores, transit scores, bike scores, safety scores and the average sale price for any bedrooms and rent prices for 2 bedrooms of each.
Each year, the provincial educational ministries in Canada release the average scores on final exams. Fraser Institute gathers these academic results and compares them to other schools by rating them on 10. MovingWaldo has collected this data from Fraser Institute and has placed the top 15 schools in various Toronto neighbourhoods.
Score meaning
(similar for transit & bike scores)
The average cost to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Toronto is currently $2,732.
(Includes Deer Park & Yonge-St. Clair)
Transit score 78
Walk score 61
Bike score 61
Low assault, robbery and drug charges
Average rent 2 beds $2,988
Average sold price $2,921,164Known as a family-friendly and pet-friendly neighbourhood, Rosedale-Moore Park is a safe yet expensive area to live in. With low assault rates, low robbery rates and low drug charge rates, you and your children will feel safe. This is also the area with the most top-rated schools in Toronto with ratings over 9. Rosedale-Moore Park has various parks and trails like David A Balfour Park and Chorley Park that extend to many other parks with trails and rivers.
If you’re a shopping fanatic, nearby Yonge Street is where you will find many shops. You’ll also find a variety of tennis courts, swimming pools and all the stores with basic necessities nearby. The Summerhill market will give you a gourmet grocery shopping experience each time. Restaurants are a bit on the pricey side and on the higher end but are highly rated.
The area is home to Whitney Junior Public School which is in the top 2 best public elementary schools in Toronto.
As one of the most expensive neighbourhoods to buy a property or rent in Toronto, the area has multiple large luxury homes. There are more houses than big condo and apartment buildings. Rosedale-Moore Park is more of a family-oriented area and is not big on nightlife and entertainment.
If you’re on a budget, this area is not for you as you should expect to pay a higher price for almost every basic necessity like housing and groceries. If you’re looking to send your kids to one of the top 2 best elementary schools in Toronto and if you rely on public transportation, this area is definitely suitable for you.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
Cottingham Junior Public School
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Transit score 98Walk score 95Bike score 92 Average rent 2 bedsAverage sold price $1,552,152Palmerston-Little Italy is known for everything Italian and more. You can practically do everything on foot, by bike or by public transport in this area. If you’re a foodie, the restaurant, bakeries and coffee shops will definitely fulfill you. If you’re into fashion, you’ll have nearby access to fancy clothing stores and shoe shops.
In Palmerston-Little Italy you will find a ton of Victorian-style homes that have character.
The vibe in the community is what attracts people to Palmerston-Little Italy. People are kind, friendly and welcoming. Properties for sale are a bit rarer to find because people who start living there don’t want to leave this feel-good vibe. Renting is more affordable than buying, so if you’re moving there for the first time, renting is an affordable option.
If you’re a parent who’s looking to live in a trendy neighbourhood that will always keep you entertained and who doesn’t rely on their car to get around, then Palmerston-Little Italy is right for you.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
The Lawrence Park area is known as a safe yet very expensive neighbourhood in Toronto. It is in fact home to some of Toronto’s wealthiest individuals. This area is family-friendly and has a real community feel. The Lawrence Park area is clean and has some of the lowest crime rates in all of Toronto, making it a safe neighbourhood to live in with your children.
There are various country clubs, bowling associations and croquet clubs in The Lawrence Park area. If you love walking outside, The Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens and the Sherwood Park have trails and beautiful sceneries, making it the perfect place to spend a relaxing day. While there are nice trails to walk around in, you cannot run your daily errands on foot, a car is required. The area is near Yonge Street where there are many shops. There aren’t many restaurants and there isn’t a big nightlife scene either.
It is very expensive to either purchase or rent in The Lawrence Park area. You will rarely see big apartment and condo buildings as the area mostly has large expensive houses.
If you have a big budget and enjoy being surrounded by other families and feel like you’re part of your community and don’t mind relying on your car for the main necessities and activities, The Lawrence Park area is the right place for you.
John Ross Robertson Junior Public School
Located in Old Toronto, Runnymede is known for its tree-lined streets and charming mix of Victorian-style mansions, English cottages, Tudor-style homes, bungalows, duplexes, detached and semi-detached houses, along with a few low-rise condos.
The neighborhood is close to several parks, including Étienne Brûlé Park and Home Smith Park, which are perfect for walking, jogging, or cycling. High Park, a large park with activities for all ages, is also nearby.
Runnymede offers excellent walkability and bike accessibility, making it easy to get around the area by foot or bike. Downtown Toronto is reachable within about 25 minutes by car and 40 minutes by transit during the middle of the day.
The streets in Runnymede tend to be quieter, giving the area a more residential feel, which makes it ideal for families with young children.
As a residential area with a suburban feel, Willowdale East has many activities to keep the whole family entertained. On weekends you can enjoy time with your kids at Cineplex or do an escape simulation game. There is also a big community centre with a pool, ice rink, gym and even a basketball court. If you’re into Canadian rock, check out the Lee Lifeson Outdoor Art Park where you will find mosaics and monuments representing Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from the band RUSH who grew up in the area. Just a short walk or drive away, Willowdale West has more parks that you can hang out together as a family.
If you’re looking to purchase a property near one of the top 2 best schools in Toronto, pricing is lower than in Rosedale Moore Park where the other tied top school is situated. Willowdale East mostly has condo and apartment buildings; few families live in houses. Getting downtown Toronto by car can be a bit rough during rush hour, but you can rely on the area’s top rated transit system.
If you prefer to use public transportation to get around and you have a big budget to purchase or rent a home, then Willowdale East is right for you.
Avondale Alternative Elementary School
Junction-Wallace Emerson began as a working-class industrial neighborhood in the 1800s, home to workers from the Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway. Today, the area features a mix of older brick single-family homes, semi-detached houses, rowhouses, and condos converted from former industrial warehouses.
The neighborhood offers excellent walkability, transit, and bike scores, making it highly accessible. It is culturally diverse, with many residents speaking English as well as Portuguese, Italian, and Ethiopian languages.
Junction-Wallace Emerson is ideal for families, thanks to its abundance of amenities and parks. It is conveniently served by nearby metro stations, and Saint Sebastian School, one of Toronto’s top public schools, is located here, earning a Fraser Institute ranking of 10.
Recognized for its transit and walking convenience, Carleton Village is the perfect area to raise your kids and still be in proximity to downtown Toronto. At the centre of Carleton Village you can find Wadsworth Park, a park that is very kid-friendly as it has many playgrounds and interactive games. Most of the action is near St. Clair Avenue where you will find shops, groceries, hairdressers and all the other basic necessities. Living on St. Clair Avenue is practical so you can use the railway to get around and do your shopping.
Carleton Village mostly has houses that are of Victorian Style. You’ll find less apartment and condo complexes than houses in this area. Pricing is relatively affordable for its proximity to downtown Toronto. Without traffic it will take you just 16 minutes to get downtown.
If you’re a parent looking to live closer to downtown Toronto for work without the extravagant prices that for instance Rosedale-Moore Park offers, this area is right for you. Also, if you’re a parent who walks or bikes a lot to get around, this area has excellent walk and bike scores which make it easier to run daily errands without a car.
École élémentaire Charles-Sauriol
L’Amoreaux is located within the larger Scarborough area of Ontario. The neighborhood features Lamoreaux North Park, a wonderful green space with ponds, hiking and biking trails, and an off-leash area for dogs.
All the amenities you need are nearby, including major retailers like Walmart, grocery stores, and restaurants. While transit is modest and accessibility by foot or bike is limited, it takes about 45 minutes by car to reach downtown Toronto during midday, or roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by public transit. Housing and rent are relatively affordable in l’Amoreaux.
L’Amoreaux offers a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, and mid- to high-rise apartments and condos. Larger homes can be found near Tam O’Shanter Golf Course, on spacious, tree-filled lots.
L’Amoreaux is a diverse neighborhood, particularly popular with Asian communities from China, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. With residents ranging from children to seniors, it is an ideal location for all families.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
Transit score 60Walk score 53Bike score 62 Average rent 2 beds $2,397Average sold price $851,697Iroquois is known for its family-friend and suburban feel with just a 30-minute drive to downtown Toronto during non-rush hours. You will need a car to get around as you cannot walk or bike to get your daily errands. Yet, Iroquois is just a short drive away from the Chartwell Shopping Centre and the Woodside Garden Centre where you will find all the shops you need to run your daily and weekly errands. The Iroquois Park is good for outdoor activities like tennis, soccer, baseball and has large playgrounds for kids.
Iroquois has a lot of houses at affordable prices compared to the expensive Toronto housing market.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly and affordable area in Toronto near one of the best schools, then this area is a must for you and your family.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Rentcafe (Dec 2025)
Cliffside is a neighborhood in Scarborough known for its scenic parks and waterfront views. The area is close to Scarborough Bluffs Park, offering lush greenery, walking paths, and access to beaches like West Beach. Local amenities, including restaurants and shops, are readily available.
Many homes in Cliffside date back to the 1920s–1940s, featuring Tudor, Cape Cod, Edwardian, and Craftsman-style bungalows. South of Kingston Road, some homes sit on beautiful, forested lots. There are also a few newer condo and apartment developments near Kingston Road.
Overall, Cliffside is a quiet, stable, and family-friendly area. While having a car is useful for getting around, housing and rent are in line with Toronto’s average prices.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
West Bend is a neighborhood in Toronto’s west end known for its historic homes, including Victorian, Edwardian, and vernacular cottages built from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Most are brick detached or semi-detached homes. In recent years, former industrial buildings have been converted into condos and boutique residences.
The neighborhood is close to High Park, one of Toronto’s largest and most popular green spaces. West Bend offers excellent transit accessibility, with Dundas West and Keele metro stations nearby and the GO train within walking distance. With a bike score of 99, it’s also highly bike-friendly.
While there are few stores for daily errands and rent prices are high, the community is active and engaged. The West Bend Community Association (WBCA) organizes events, neighborhood meetings, and community projects for residents, fostering a strong sense of community.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
Steeles is recognized as a neighbourhood in Toronto with a suburban and family feel. There are many parks in Steeles like l’Amoreaux North Park where you will find many walking and biking trails and a big pond. It is also the perfect place to bring your dog because of its off-leash dog area. Steeles has high end yet affordable restaurants as well. The Asian community is very present in Steeles and at Bamburgh Gardens Shopping Plaza in the centre of Steeles you will find all sorts of tasty Asian cuisine and food. There are also many gyms, recreational facilities and activities for kids like the Kidstown Water Park. If you’re into shopping, The Pacific Mall in Milliken is just a short drive away.
Sale prices are lower so most residents buy instead of renting. Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is actually below Toronto’s average making it a very affordable place to live in. Rent is stable and has seen no increase this year. It’s also a 45-minute drive to downtown Toronto during rush hour.
In Steeles, the transit score really isn’t the best so it’s maybe not the best option if you work downtown Toronto or don’t own a car. If you love the outdoors and are looking for a place to keep your kids entertained in an area a bit further from downtown Toronto, then Steeles is definitely the place for you.
The Kingsway is a prestigious neighborhood located in Etobicoke, Toronto. It is close to Magwood Park and Old Mill Park along the Humber River, perfect for walks and fresh air. Kingsmill Park also offers hiking and biking trails, a pond, and an off-leash dog area.
Transit accessibility is modest, but Royal York and Old Mill metro stations are within walking distance.
Many homes in The Kingsway date from the 1920s to 1940s and feature Tudor‑Revival, Arts & Crafts, and Georgian/Old-English styles, with stone, brick, or stucco exteriors. The properties are spacious, surrounded by mature trees, and provide plenty of privacy.
One of the few downsides is that housing and rental prices are high. For everyday errands, Bloor Street West, also known as “The Village Strip,” offers shops, boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
Bennington Heights is a small, charming neighborhood in Old Toronto, surrounded by Bennington Heights Park, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, and the Beltline Trail, which connects to larger green spaces. It’s ideal for those who enjoy outdoor exercise and walking in nature.
The neighborhood is very calm and residential, with mostly detached homes built in the 1920s and 1930s, featuring English Manor-style stone houses and cottages.
While there are no shops within the neighborhood, making errands require a short trip outside, Bennington Heights offers a peaceful environment. Housing here is among the most expensive in Toronto, and the transit score is relatively low.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
West Deane Park, located in Etobicoke, Toronto, is ideal for nature lovers. The neighborhood is surrounded by green spaces, including West Deane Park itself, Ravenscrest Park, Heathercrest Park, and the Mimico Creek Trail, offering trails for walking and biking, playgrounds, picnic areas, and outdoor activities such as the Martin Grove Tennis Club and the West Deane Park outdoor pool.
Most homes in the area are ranch-style bungalows, split-level houses, and Georgian Revival center-hall designs on large lots with attached driveways. There are also some row houses, multiplexes, and townhouses.
West Deane Park is very car-dependent, with a low walk score of 23. There are few shops within the neighborhood, so running errands typically requires driving outside the area.
Zolo (Dec 2025), Walk Score (Dec 2025) & Zumper (Dec 2025)
| Neighbourhood | Walk Score | Transit Score | Bike Score | 2-Bed Rent ($) | Sale Price ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosedale-Moore Park | 61 | 78 | 61 | 2,988 | 2,921,164 |
| Palmerston-Little Italy | 95 | 98 | 92 | 2,974 | 1,552,152 |
| The Lawrence Park Area | 88 | 71 | 61 | 3,230 | 2,314,962 |
| Runnymede | 91 | 71 | 88 | 2,612 | 1,408,289 |
| Willowdale East | 77 | 88 | 52 | 2,900 | 951,000 |
| Junction-Wallace Emerson | 84 | 86 | 81 | 3,012 | 1,000,000 |
| Carleton Village | 87 | 77 | 83 | 2,850 | 977,761 |
| L’Amoreaux | 53 | 70 | 55 | 2,568 | 916,251 |
| Iroquois | 53 | 60 | 62 | 2,397 | 851,697 |
| Cliffside | 69 | 52 | 49 | 2,409 | 1,205,697 |
| West Bend | 78 | 94 | 99 | 3,012 | 1,187,357 |
| Steeles | 54 | 67 | 51 | 2,549 | 911,740 |
| The Kingsway | 82 | 60 | 46 | 2,700 | 2,286,593 |
| Bennington Heights | 70 | 56 | 49 | 2,650 | 1,968,793 |
| West Deane Park | 23 | 51 | 56 | 2,399 | 1,025,730 |
Living in a neighbourhood with some of the best elementary public schools in Toronto comes with many advantages, but can get quite expensive. There are still some relatively affordable options with the best elementary public schools like Willowdale East, Carleton Village, Iroquois, Steeles, and L’Amoreaux. Is easy access to public transportation just as important for you? Here’s what it costs to rent near each subway station in Toronto.
Need a reliable mover for your move to Toronto? Check out some of the best movers in Toronto.
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