The 8 Best Elementary Schools in Downtown Toronto [2022]

Best Elementary Schools in Downtown Toronto

As a parent, one of your top priorities is finding the right school for your child.  Toronto is a big city with many neighbourhoods, and each neighbourhood has its own charm. If you’re looking for an elementary school for your child and you’re downtown, which are the best schools to choose from? 

We rounded up the best elementary schools in Downtown Toronto based on curriculum, safety, quality of staff, available extracurriculars, and academic performance of current students. Whether you’re looking for a public, Catholic, or Montessori school, we have the perfect option for your family.

Education is the first step towards a happy and successful life. Set your kids up for success and send them to one of the best elementary schools in Downtown Toronto! 

Broaden your options and consider sending your child to private school. Look into the best private schools in Toronto.

Summary

Factors to Consider When Searching for an Elementary School

When you’re looking for the perfect elementary school for your child, it’s important to consider all of your options. There are many great schools in Downtown Toronto, so narrowing down your list can be tough. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of factors to consider when searching for an elementary school.

-Consider the location of the school. 

You want to choose a school that is close to your home or workplace. This will make it easier for you to drop off and pick up your child, and it will also save you time.

-Look into the curriculum of the school. 

Each school has its own way of teaching, so you want to make sure that the school’s curriculum aligns with your child’s learning style. 

-Consider the safety of the school. 

You want to make sure that your child is safe while at school. Look into the security measures that the school has in place, and read up on any recent safety incidents.

-Find out about the quality of the staff. 

The staff at an elementary school can make a big difference in your child’s education. Make sure to read reviews and talk to other parents to get their opinion on the staff at the school you’re considering.

-Look into extracurricular activities. 

Many schools offer extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, and field trips. These activities can be a great way for your child to make new friends and explore their interests.

-Consider the academic performance of current students. 

When you’re looking at schools, find out how well the students are doing academically. This information can give you a good idea of the quality of the school.

The Best Elementary Schools in Downtown Toronto

Now that you know what to look for in an elementary school, it’s time to take a look at our list of the best schools in Downtown Toronto.

1. Rose Avenue Junior Public School

The Rose Ave P.S., a school in downtown St James Town with more than 650 students and 50 different languages represented by its population, offers an engaging curriculum that’s focused on literacy skills as well as the arts—including music education for all levels! 

As part of this partnership between their school and local arts organization, they’re excited about embarking upon new adventures together while also encouraging individual creativity.  

There are many benefits to sending your child to this elementary school. Not only will they be able to build the necessary skills for success throughout their time in education, but by developing those areas now you can unlock some of that potential and discover what passions or talents might lie beyond!

Business Information:

tdsb.on.ca
Rose@tdsb.on.ca
+14163931260
675 Ontario St, Toronto, ON M4X 1N4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“It's a great school, I have improved a lot because of my attendance there. They have hot lunches and most of the time it's yummy stuff, also the playground is awesome! They have a huge soccer field with a baseball diamond, The teachers their are great as well, they also have French.”

2. Swansea Junior and Senior Public School

Swansea is known for its strong community presence and 100+ year history, providing students with a wealth of opportunities to get involved in their education and prepare for their future. With an enrolment that ranges from 950 students, the school’s diverse ethnic backgrounds are highly celebrated by both staff members and parents within this community. 

They all work collaboratively towards promoting safe environments where all students may achieve success beyond their expectations. From tons of subjects to extracurricular activities, your children will be developing into great adults while attending Swansea School. 

Business Information:

schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca
Swansea@tdsb.on.ca
+14163939080
207 Windermere Ave, Toronto, ON M6S 3J9, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“An excellent school with excellent teachers especially Ms Campbell & MR Turner!! Mr Diamond the music teacher is great as well!”

3. Crescent Town Elementary School

At Crescent Town Community, they believe in the power of peace. Their work is a perfect example of what it means to live together peacefully. Their students are not only taught how they should behave in school but also by their peers, family members and staff members who care about each other. They all can learn from one another’s differences while still being able to share ideas with those around them. 

They believe that a well-rounded education includes the arts, academics and physical health. As part of this, they promote literacy through rich activities at school as well as at home or in community settings like kid’s clubs for parents and guardians. 

Their goal is to create a community where everyone feels valued and respected so that they can all learn and grow together.

Business Information:

Customer Review Highlight:

“Very good start for kids. It has a multi-cultural environment -- especially for Bangladeshi, Tamil, and Pakistani immigrant communities. It has many good teaching staff and a rich library. Principle Ross is awesome!”

4. Orde Street Junior Public School

The Orde Street P.S. is located in central Toronto just east and north of Chinatown. The school represents the diverse population that is present throughout their global community – with students coming from over 30 countries speaking many different languages and having different cultures. 

The school has been around since 1914. Their elementary school curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy so that students can succeed at both their academic studies as well as life. They are introduced throughout all grade levels, with an approach which includes language arts; social studies; science and technology; health and physical education; the arts, and finally French as a second language. 

Students at Orde Street receive a well-rounded education that not only gives them the skills they need to succeed academically, but also teaches them about the world around them and how to be good citizens.

Business Information:

schools.tdsb.on.ca
Orde@tdsb.on.ca
+14163931900
18 Orde St, Toronto, ON M5T 1N7, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“Orde Street made my three kids feel welcomed when we moved into the area. All three enjoy their teachers, the staff and the school very much.”

5. Owen Public School

The Owen Public School offers a unique educational experience to its students, situated as it is on the former grounds of the St. Andrew’s Golf Course. The school provides instruction in both English and French Immersion programs, ensuring that all students have a chance to develop bilingualism skills. In addition, the school has a diverse student population, with one-third of students speaking another language at home other than English or French! 

This diversity is reflective of the larger York Mills community and helps to create a tolerant and understanding environment within the school. The students at Owen are provided with many leadership opportunities while focusing on character education traits. 

They also participate in a variety of athletic programs and choir clubs. The school offers an extensive art program that includes theatre performances like musicals or dance. All of these experiences help to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to meet the challenges of the future head-on!

Business Information:

schools.tdsb.on.ca/owen
Owen@tdsb.on.ca
+14163952740
111 Owen Blvd, North York, ON M2P 1G6, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“Amazing community and school.”

6. Hillmount Public School

Hillmount PS is a school that prides itself not only on academic excellence but also on fostering social responsibility and promoting diversity. In addition to the standard curriculum, Hillmount PS offers many opportunities for leadership outside of the classroom which helps prepare your child not only academically but also socially. 

Debate classes help children learn to think critically and to see both sides of an issue, while theatre classes help children learn to express themselves creatively and to work cooperatively with others. As a result, your child will not only receive an excellent education at Hillmount PS but will also be well-prepared for success in the real world.

Business Information:

schools.tdsb.on.ca/hillmount
Hillmount@tdsb.on.ca
+14163952550
245 McNicoll Ave, North York, ON M2H 2C5, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“The best school in the town. The principal and teachers are very helpful. Always keep communicate with the parents when needed."

7. Lord Lansdowne Junior and Senior Public School

French immersion is a great way for kids to learn another language while getting a high-quality education. Lord Lansdowne School is now an internationally-minded, French immersion centre! The new program will have classes from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6. There are no English courses offered at Lord Lansdowne. 

Children learn basic French phrases and vocabulary through play activities, songs, chants and games. Instruction in math and language is in French. Starting in Grade 4 students begin to receive some instruction in English. This is a great way for kids to learn another language while getting a high-quality education.

Business Information:

schools.tdsb.on.ca
LordLansdowne@tdsb.on.ca
+14163931350
33 Robert St, Toronto, ON M5S 2K2, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“Great school, our kid loves going.”

8. Sprucecourt Public School

Sprucecourt Junior Public School is not just a school – it’s an integral part of the community. With over 330 students and 15 different languages being taught by engaging teachers, there are always opportunities for exploration in this diverse welcoming environment!

This school has its own community food garden, library as well as a big field for soccer, baseball, football, running track, outdoor basketball court plus 2 practice nets— everything for the kids to grow into healthy and active individuals. 

Business Information:

schools.tdsb.on.ca/sprucecourt
sprucecourt@tdsb.on.ca
+14163931522
70 Spruce St, Toronto, ON M5A 2J1, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“Parents are quite involved with the school. 5 stars.”

FAQs About Elementary Schools

In Ontario, children do not have to attend school until they reach the age of 6. However, many parents opt for their children to attend kindergarten for kids aged 4 to 5.

Yes, public schools in Toronto are publicly funded and free for your children to attend. If your child is an international student, be mindful that there may be additional fees.
There are many benefits to sending your child to an elementary school in Downtown Toronto. The schools in this neighbourhood offer a great education, and they’re also convenient for families who live or work downtown.
Yes, there are several private elementary schools in Downtown Toronto. These schools offer a great education, and they also have smaller class sizes than public schools.

Conclusion

Choosing your child’s elementary school is a big decision. It is one that has an obvious and direct impact on your child. At these elementary schools, your kids can reach their full potential and grow into intelligent adults, so you don’t have to worry about them, at least not as much.

Your children have their whole lives ahead of them and any of these Downtown Toronto elementary schools would be a good starting point!

If you are looking for a fun, stimulating environment for your children to play when the weather isn’t ideal, check out our picks of the best indoor playgrounds in Toronto! These playgrounds are where parents can rest assured that their children are supervised and secure.

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