Best High Schools in Vaughan: 2025 Rankings
Vaughan has 13 high schools in the latest Fraser Institute report card. The highest rated is Stephen Lewis Secondary School at 8.2 out of 10, followed by Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School (formerly Vaughan Secondary School) at 8.1 and Westmount Collegiate Institute at 7.9. The top Catholic school is Father Bressani Catholic High School at 7.6.
Below is the full ranking of every Vaughan high school in the report, a closer look at the schools parents ask me about most, and what you need to check before you buy a home for a specific school.
Last updated November 2026. Ratings come from the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on Ontario’s Secondary Schools 2025, which uses results from the 2023-24 school year and ranks 747 schools. I update this page each time a new report card comes out.
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Vaughan high school rankings: all 13 schools
| # | School | Type | Rating (out of 10) | Ontario rank (of 747) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Lewis Secondary School | Public | 8.2 | 65 |
| 2 | Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School (formerly Vaughan Secondary School) | Public | 8.1 | 79 |
| 3 | Westmount Collegiate Institute | Public | 7.9 | 95 |
| 4 | Maple High School | Public | 7.6 | 130 |
| 5 | Father Bressani Catholic High School | Catholic | 7.6 | 130 |
| 6 | St. Elizabeth Catholic High School | Catholic | 7.2 | 178 |
| 7 | Tommy Douglas Secondary School | Public | 7.1 | 201 |
| 8 | Emily Carr Secondary School | Public | 6.7 | 275 |
| 9 | Woodbridge College | Public | 6.3 | 338 |
| 10 | Holy Cross Catholic Academy | Catholic | 6.1 | 367 |
| 11 | St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School | Catholic | 6.1 | 367 |
| 12 | St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School | Catholic | 6.0 | 390 |
| 13 | St. Luke Catholic Learning Centre | Catholic (alternative) | 0.0 | 742 |
Schools with the same rating share the same Ontario rank. Source: Fraser Institute school rankings.
Thornhill high schools just east of Vaughan
Thornhill straddles Vaughan and Markham, and three strong schools sit on the Markham side. Some Thornhill addresses fall inside their boundaries, so check the exact address with the board.
- St. Robert Catholic High School: 10.0, ranked 1st in Ontario
- Thornlea Secondary School: 8.9, ranked 23rd
- Thornhill Secondary School: 8.2, ranked 65th
Top public high schools in Vaughan
- Stephen Lewis Secondary School, 8.2
- Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School, 8.1
- Westmount Collegiate Institute, 7.9
- Maple High School, 7.6
- Tommy Douglas Secondary School, 7.1
Top Catholic high schools in Vaughan
- Father Bressani Catholic High School, 7.6
- St. Elizabeth Catholic High School, 7.2
- Holy Cross Catholic Academy, 6.1
- St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School, 6.1
- St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School, 6.0
A closer look at the schools parents ask about most
Stephen Lewis Secondary School ranking
Stephen Lewis is rated 8.2 and ranks 65th of 747 in Ontario, the best result in Vaughan. Its five-year average is 8.0, so this is a steady performer.
Hodan Nalayeh (Vaughan) Secondary School ranking
The school long known as Vaughan Secondary School is now Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School. It is rated 8.1 and ranks 79th in Ontario, with a five-year average of 8.0.
Westmount Collegiate Institute ranking
Westmount is rated 7.9 and ranks 95th in Ontario, with a five-year average of 7.9. It is also known for its arts program.
Maple High School ranking
Maple High School is rated 7.6 and ranks 130th in Ontario, with a five-year average of 7.7. It offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
Tommy Douglas Secondary School ranking
Tommy Douglas is rated 7.1 and ranks 201st in Ontario. Its five-year average is higher at 7.6, so the latest year is a dip from its usual level.
Emily Carr Secondary School ranking
Emily Carr is rated 6.7 and ranks 275th in Ontario, with a five-year average of 7.0.
Woodbridge College ranking
Woodbridge College is rated 6.3 and ranks 338th in Ontario, with a five-year average of 6.6.
Father Bressani Catholic High School ranking
Father Bressani is rated 7.6 and ranks 130th in Ontario, the top Catholic high school in Vaughan. Its five-year average is 6.9, so it has been improving.
St. Elizabeth Catholic High School ranking
St. Elizabeth is rated 7.2 and ranks 178th in Ontario, with a five-year average of 7.2. It is home to the York Catholic board’s regional arts program.
How the rankings work
The Fraser Institute rates each school out of 10 using results from Ontario’s province-wide tests: the Grade 9 math test and the Grade 10 literacy test. A rating of 6 is roughly average for the province.
The rating measures test results only. It says nothing about arts, sports, clubs, special education support, school culture or how a particular teacher connects with your child. Treat it as one input, then visit the school and talk to parents who have kids there.
Buying a home for a specific school: what to check first
- The address decides the school. Each home is assigned to a home school by its boundary. Two houses on nearby streets can feed different high schools.
- Boundaries change. Boards redraw them as neighbourhoods grow. Confirm the school for the exact address with the York Region District School Board or the York Catholic District School Board before you make an offer.
- Special programs are by application. Programs such as IB, AP and regional arts usually take students through an application, not by address. Living nearby does not guarantee a spot, and programs and locations can change from year to year.
- Look at the trend. A school that has held its rating for five years is a safer bet than one good year.
Once you know which schools you want, I can set up a search for homes inside those boundaries. Start with detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses or condos in Vaughan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best high school in Vaughan?
By the latest Fraser Institute rating, it is Stephen Lewis Secondary School at 8.2 out of 10, followed by Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School at 8.1 and Westmount Collegiate Institute at 7.9.
What is the best Catholic high school in Vaughan?
Father Bressani Catholic High School at 7.6, followed by St. Elizabeth Catholic High School at 7.2.
What is the Tommy Douglas Secondary School ranking?
Tommy Douglas Secondary School is rated 7.1 out of 10 and ranks 201st of 747 Ontario high schools. Its five-year average rating is 7.6.
What is the Vaughan Secondary School ranking?
Vaughan Secondary School, now called Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School, is rated 8.1 out of 10 and ranks 79th in Ontario.
Do I have to live in the boundary to attend a school?
For a regular program, generally yes: your address sets your home school. Application programs are the exception. Always confirm with the school board for your exact address.
How often do the rankings change?
The Fraser Institute publishes a new report card about once a year. Most schools move a little each year, so look at the five-year picture as well as the latest number.
Thinking of moving closer to a great school?
A lot of the families I work with sell first so they can buy in the right school boundary. If that sounds like you, start by finding out what your home is worth today. Get your free home evaluation, or call me at 647-576-2100.
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