For families considering a move to the M8Z 6A8 postal-code area, nearby schools may be an important part of the home-buying decision. Located around The Queensway in Etobicoke, this area provides access to several public, Catholic and specialized schools across south and central Etobicoke.
This guide examines some of the top-rated schools near M8Z 6A8 using the most recent Ontario school ratings published by the Fraser Institute through CompareSchoolRankings.org.
The Fraser Institute’s 2025 Ontario reports use academic performance data from the 2023/24 school year. Elementary ratings are based largely on Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO results in reading, writing and mathematics. Secondary ratings consider Grade 9 mathematics and Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test results.[1][2]
School ratings can provide a useful starting point, but they should not be the only consideration. Programs, teaching approach, student support, extracurricular opportunities, transportation, school boundaries and the individual needs of a child may be equally important.
Where Is the M8Z 6A8 Postal-Code Area?
M8Z 6A8 is associated with The Queensway area of Etobicoke, including addresses around 781 The Queensway. The location is close to Royal York Road, Queensway Park, Mimico and several established residential communities in Toronto’s west end.[3]
The neighbourhood contains a mix of condominiums, apartments, townhomes, detached houses and commercial services. Its position near The Queensway and Royal York Road gives residents access to public transit, shopping, parks and several schools within the surrounding Etobicoke area.
School eligibility is not determined by postal code alone. Boundaries may divide individual streets or buildings, and Catholic-school eligibility may involve separate admission requirements. Families should always enter the complete residential address into the appropriate TDSB or TCDSB school locator before purchasing or leasing a home.
Top-Rated Elementary Schools Near M8Z 6A8
The following schools are located in the broader Etobicoke area surrounding M8Z 6A8. They are ordered by their 2023/24 Fraser Institute rating.
| School | School type | 2023/24 rating | Ontario rank | Five-year rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School | TDSB, JK–Grade 8 | 9.3/10 | 74 | 9.0/10 |
| Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School | Catholic elementary | 8.9/10 | 126 | 8.3/10 |
| Norseman Junior Middle School | TDSB, JK–Grade 8 | 8.1/10 | 313 | 7.9/10 |
| Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School | TDSB, JK–Grade 8 | 8.0/10 | 351 | 8.5/10 |
| St. Leo Catholic School | Catholic elementary | 7.5/10 | 589 | 6.5/10 |
Elementary ratings and provincial ranks are from the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on Ontario’s Elementary Schools 2025.[1]
1. Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School
Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School received the highest elementary-school rating among the nearby schools reviewed for this article. Its 2023/24 Fraser Institute rating was 9.3 out of 10, placing it 74th among the Ontario schools included in the report. Its five-year average rating was also strong at 9.0.[1]
The TDSB identifies Lambton-Kingsway as a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 school located at 525 Prince Edward Drive in Etobicoke. The school describes its focus as supporting academic achievement, critical thinking, extracurricular participation and the social and emotional development of students.[4]
The school is located north of M8Z 6A8 in the Kingsway area. It may be geographically convenient for some Etobicoke families, but proximity does not guarantee admission. Buyers must verify the applicable attendance boundary for their complete address.
2. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School earned a 2023/24 rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranked 126th in Ontario. Its five-year average rating was 8.3.[1]
The school is part of the Toronto Catholic District School Board and serves the established Kingsway and central Etobicoke community. Its stated educational approach emphasizes an inclusive Catholic learning environment, faith, knowledge and responsible action.[5]
Families interested in Our Lady of Sorrows should review Catholic-school admission requirements, school boundaries and available space directly with the TCDSB. A nearby residential address does not automatically establish eligibility.
3. Norseman Junior Middle School
Norseman Junior Middle School received an overall Fraser Institute rating of 8.1 out of 10 for 2023/24. It ranked 313th among the Ontario elementary schools included in the report and recorded a five-year average rating of 7.9.[1]
Norseman is located at 105 Norseman Street in Etobicoke and serves students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8. The school has served the community since the 1950s and describes itself as a positive and active community of learners.[6]
Norseman is particularly relevant to families researching homes around The Queensway because it is situated within the M8Z postal-code area. Even so, families should use the official TDSB address locator to confirm whether a particular property is within its attendance boundary.
4. Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School
Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School earned a 2023/24 Fraser Institute rating of 8.0 out of 10, ranking 351st provincially. Its five-year average rating was higher at 8.5, demonstrating why families should review several years of information rather than relying on one result.[1]
The school serves Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 and is located at 65 Hartfield Road, west of Royal York Road and north of Dundas Street. The TDSB describes it as a community-focused school emphasizing student achievement, wellness, equity and a safe learning environment.[7]
Humber Valley Village is farther north than the schools located directly around The Queensway, but it remains a notable Etobicoke option for families comparing neighbourhoods within a broader home search.
5. St. Leo Catholic School
St. Leo Catholic School received a 2023/24 Fraser Institute rating of 7.5 out of 10, ranking 589th among the elementary schools included in the report. Its five-year average rating was 6.5.[1]
St. Leo is located at 165 Stanley Avenue in Mimico. The school is part of the TCDSB and has served the local Catholic community since 1926. It emphasizes cooperation among the school, family and parish and also provides access to childcare and early-years services.[8]
St. Leo may appeal to families considering the Mimico side of the M8Z area, but admission eligibility and transportation should be confirmed with the TCDSB.
Top-Rated Secondary Schools Near M8Z 6A8
Secondary schools are evaluated through a separate Fraser Institute methodology. Their scores should therefore be compared with other secondary schools rather than directly with elementary-school ratings.
| School | School type | 2023/24 rating | Ontario rank | Five-year rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Allen Academy | Catholic secondary | 8.7/10 | 33 | 8.0/10 |
| Etobicoke School of the Arts | TDSB specialized secondary | 8.2/10 | 65 | 8.4/10 |
| Etobicoke Collegiate Institute | TDSB secondary | 8.1/10 | 79 | 7.3/10 |
Secondary ratings and provincial ranks are from the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on Ontario’s Secondary Schools 2025.[2]
6. Bishop Allen Academy
Bishop Allen Academy was the highest-rated secondary school reviewed near M8Z 6A8. It received a Fraser Institute rating of 8.7 out of 10 and tied for 33rd place in Ontario. Its five-year average rating was 8.0.[2]
The Catholic secondary school offers enriched courses, Advanced Placement options, French Immersion, arts programming and Specialist High Skills Major programs. Its regular location is 721 Royal York Road, close to The Queensway.[9]
Families should be aware of an important temporary change. The TCDSB states that Bishop Allen Academy will relocate to the former Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School at 2 St. Andrews Boulevard beginning in September 2026 while a replacement school is constructed. Transportation and relocation details should be checked directly with the school board.[9]
7. Etobicoke School of the Arts
Etobicoke School of the Arts received a 2023/24 rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranked 65th in Ontario. Its five-year average rating was 8.4.[2]
Located at 675 Royal York Road, the Grade 9–12 school is especially close to The Queensway and M8Z 6A8. It offers specialized arts-focused programming rather than operating only as a conventional neighbourhood secondary school.[10]
Admission should not be assumed based on residential address. The TDSB identifies the school as a specialized-program school, and access involves a separate admissions process. Its 2026/27 specialized-program availability was listed as limited.[10]
8. Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
Etobicoke Collegiate Institute earned a Fraser Institute rating of 8.1 out of 10 for 2023/24. It ranked 79th in Ontario and had a five-year average rating of 7.3.[2]
Etobicoke Collegiate is a Grade 9–12 TDSB school located at 86 Montgomery Road. Founded in 1928, the school describes its focus as maintaining high academic standards and preparing students for post-secondary education. It also offers extracurricular activities, leadership programming and student support services.[10]
What About Castlebar Junior School?
Castlebar Junior School is one of the closest public elementary schools to the M8Z 6A8 area. It is located at 70 Chartwell Road and serves students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 5.[4]
Castlebar does not appear in the Fraser Institute’s 2025 elementary-school ranking table. This absence should not be interpreted as a negative assessment.
The Fraser Institute’s elementary methodology uses Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO results. Because Castlebar ends at Grade 5, the school does not produce the complete Grade 6 data used in the rating methodology. The Fraser Institute also states that exclusion from its report should not be treated as a judgment of a school’s effectiveness.[1]
Families considering Castlebar should instead review TDSB information, current EQAO data where available, school programs, parent experiences and the learning environment directly.
How Should Families Use School Rankings?
A school’s Fraser Institute rating summarizes selected academic indicators. It does not measure every aspect of a school or every part of a student’s educational experience.
Before making a housing or school decision, families should examine these ten considerations:
- The school’s confirmed attendance boundary for the complete property address
- Current Fraser Institute and EQAO academic results
- Performance patterns over several years rather than one annual score
- Available French, arts, technology and specialized programs
- Special-education services and other learning supports
- School culture, communication and student well-being
- Extracurricular activities, athletics and leadership opportunities
- Transportation, walking routes and school-bus eligibility
- Admission restrictions for Catholic or specialized-program schools
- The individual learning needs, interests and personality of the child
The Fraser Institute itself recommends considering additional sources, including school boards, the Ontario Ministry of Education, EQAO data, school visits and conversations with existing families.[1][2]
Why School Boundaries Matter When Buying a Home
A property listing may describe a home as being “near” or “close to” a highly rated school. That description does not necessarily mean the address is eligible to attend that school.
Attendance boundaries can change, schools may be closed to optional attendance, and specialized programs may use applications, auditions or other admission processes. Catholic-school admission may also depend on board policies and family circumstances.
Before waiving conditions or purchasing a property primarily because of a school, buyers should obtain written or directly verifiable information from the appropriate school board.
Families should also consider future needs. A property may be assigned to a convenient elementary school but a secondary school farther away. Children in the same household may attend different locations depending on grade, program and language stream.
Buying a Home Near M8Z 6A8
The Queensway and surrounding Etobicoke communities may appeal to buyers who want access to established residential neighbourhoods, shopping, public transportation and a selection of public, Catholic and specialized schools.
School access can affect a family’s experience in a neighbourhood, but it should be evaluated alongside the property’s price, condition, monthly expenses, commute, layout and long-term suitability.
Parveen Arora and Team Arora assist buyers and sellers with property searches, neighbourhood comparisons and real estate transactions throughout Etobicoke, Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga and the GTA.
The team’s standardized professional record includes 21 Years of experience, $3.5 Billion in sales volume, 650+ Reviews, 5,000+ Transactions and 45+ Full-Time Agents.
Buyers interested in M8Z 6A8 should independently confirm school eligibility before relying on any school-related marketing statement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schools Near M8Z 6A8
What is the highest-rated elementary school near M8Z 6A8?
Among the nearby schools reviewed, Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School received the highest Fraser Institute elementary rating at 9.3 out of 10 for 2023/24. It ranked 74th among the Ontario elementary schools included in the report.
What is the highest-rated secondary school near M8Z 6A8?
Bishop Allen Academy received the highest nearby secondary-school rating in this guide at 8.7 out of 10. It tied for 33rd place in the Fraser Institute’s Ontario secondary-school rankings.
Is Etobicoke School of the Arts assigned by home address?
Etobicoke School of the Arts is a specialized-program school. Families should review the TDSB application and admission process because proximity or residence within the surrounding area does not automatically provide access.
Why is Castlebar Junior School not ranked?
Castlebar serves students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 5. The Fraser Institute elementary methodology uses both Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO indicators. Its absence from the report should not be interpreted as a judgment about the quality of the school.
Do school boundaries change?
Yes. Boundaries, optional-attendance status, grade configurations and program availability can change. Families should use the current TDSB or TCDSB school locator and contact the board before making a real estate decision.
Final Thoughts on Top-Rated Schools Near M8Z 6A8
The M8Z 6A8 area provides access to several highly rated Etobicoke schools. Based on the Fraser Institute’s latest reports, notable nearby options include Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, Norseman Junior Middle School, Bishop Allen Academy, Etobicoke School of the Arts and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute.
Rankings are valuable for comparing selected academic outcomes, but they do not provide a complete picture of a school. Families should combine ranking data with official boundary information, program research, school visits and consideration of their child’s needs.
For information about homes in M8Z 6A8 and surrounding Etobicoke neighbourhoods, contact Team Arora to discuss available properties and local real estate options.
Disclaimer: School ratings, rankings, addresses, programs, boundaries and admission information may change. The rankings in this article are based on the Fraser Institute’s 2025 Ontario report cards and primarily reflect academic information from the 2023/24 school year. Rankings measure selected academic indicators and do not represent every aspect of school quality, safety, culture, student support or suitability. Proximity to a school does not guarantee admission. Buyers and parents should independently verify school boundaries, transportation, eligibility, program availability and registration requirements directly with the TDSB, TCDSB and individual schools before purchasing or leasing a property. Real estate representations concerning schools should not be relied upon as a substitute for confirmation from the applicable school board.
Sources and Citations
[1] Fraser Institute, Report Card on Ontario’s Elementary Schools 2025: Compare School Rankings – Ontario Elementary Report.
[2] Fraser Institute, Report Card on Ontario’s Secondary Schools 2025: Compare School Rankings – Ontario Secondary Report.
[3] Address and postal-code reference for 781 The Queensway, Etobicoke: MapLiv Address Reference.
[4] Toronto District School Board information for Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School and Castlebar Junior School: Castlebar Junior School and Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School.
[5] Toronto Catholic District School Board, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School: Our Lady of Sorrows – About Us.
[6] Toronto District School Board, Norseman Junior Middle School: Norseman Junior Middle School Profile.
[7] Toronto District School Board, Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School: Humber Valley Village School Profile.
[8] Toronto Catholic District School Board, St. Leo Catholic School: St. Leo Catholic School – About Us.
[9] Toronto Catholic District School Board, Bishop Allen Academy academics, location and relocation information: Bishop Allen Academy – About Us and Relocation Information.
[10] Toronto District School Board information for Etobicoke School of the Arts and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute: Etobicoke School of the Arts and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute.