Do Markham School Rankings Affect Home Prices? What Families Should Know Before Buying

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. Its secondary school report, released on 27 November 2025, ranked 747 public, Catholic and independent high schools.

Rankings are a useful starting point, but they measure test results, not everything that matters. Programs, class sizes, arts and sports, special education support, commute and whether a school suits your child are not in the score. Many families also look at EQAO results directly and visit schools before deciding.

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 school 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 Schools in the Latest Rankings

Two Markham high schools placed near the top of Ontario in the November 2025 report:

Markham has many other well-regarded public and Catholic schools, and rankings shift from year to year. Check the latest report and each school’s programs rather than relying on a single year.

Do Good Schools Raise Home Prices?

Demand for homes near well-ranked schools is real. Many families, including newcomers and those relocating to Markham, put schools at the top of their list. That demand can help homes in popular attendance areas sell faster or hold value better.

The research is more mixed than the common belief. UBC’s Sauder School of Business studied 19,225 Vancouver sales after a school boundary change and published its findings in The Review of Economics and Statistics. It found:

• No effect on the prices of the 75% least expensive homes.
• At the top of the market, buyers paid about 1.9% more for a meaningfully better secondary school and about 5.4% more for a better elementary school.

That study used Vancouver data from 1996 to 2003, so it is a guide, not a Markham price list. In Markham, schools are usually one factor among several, alongside lot size, home condition, commute and the street itself.

Boundaries, Holding Schools and Program Seats

Buying near a school is not the same as getting a seat there. Three things to understand:

• Boundaries change. The York Region District School Board 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.
• Specialized programs. Programs such as arts, International Baccalaureate or gifted classes often have their own application or eligibility rules, so an address alone does not secure a spot.

Catholic board schools have their own admission rules. Check directly with the York Catholic District School Board.

How to Check Schools Before You Buy

1. Use the board’s school locator for the exact address, for both elementary and secondary.
2. Call the school to confirm current boundaries, capacity and any planned changes.
3. Look beyond the ranking at programs, transportation and before- and after-school care.
4. Review nearby development. New housing can change enrolment and boundaries over time.
5. Make it part of your offer plan, so you have time to confirm before firming up.

If you are new to the area, what you need to know about moving to Markham covers neighbourhoods, transit and daily life.

Buying Smart in a School-Driven Market

School demand can help when you sell, but it also means you may pay more to buy. In today’s slower market, buyers have more room to compare and negotiate, even in popular attendance areas. See whether Markham is a buyer’s market right now for the latest numbers.

Think about the full timeline too. A family with young children may care about the elementary school for eight years and the high school for four. Choose a home that also works for your commute, space and budget, so the decision still feels right if boundaries or rankings change.

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

Next Steps

• Explore Markham neighbourhoods: compare areas by schools, parks and commute.
• Buying a home in Markham: how Michael helps families shortlist and negotiate.
• First-time buyer services: a clear plan from pre-approval to keys.

Work With Michael John Lau in Markham

Michael John Lau helps Markham families balance schools with everything else that matters in a home. That means confirming attendance areas for each address, comparing sales inside and outside popular boundaries, and making sure the home fits your commute, space and budget. The goal is a decision that feels right for years, not just for one school year.

📞 Contact Michael John Lau, REALTOR®
🌐 www.callmikelau.com

Michael John Lau, REALTOR® · Markham, Ontario · (416) 700-0286
Disclaimer. Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. School rankings are from the Fraser Institute’s Ontario secondary school report released on 27 November 2025, as reported by CP24. Research findings are from the UBC Sauder School of Business study by Tsur Somerville and John Ries, which used Vancouver data from 1996 to 2003. Boundary information is from York Region District School Board Policy 108.0. Rankings and boundaries change. Confirm attendance areas and admission rules directly with the school board. This article is general information only.