Published 30 October 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
My five picks for schools in Scarborough are Dr Norman Bethune CI (math, science and an SHSM in Business), Woburn CI (gifted program and award-winning robotics), Agincourt CI (nationally recognized music and three French streams), R H King Academy (modified calendar and four-year mentor teachers) and Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School (self-paced learning model, TCDSB). The order is my judgement, not an official ranking.
How I chose these five
I picked schools that give a Scarborough family something specific: a gifted stream, a strong music department, an unusual timetable or a self-paced Catholic model. Every detail below comes from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) or Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) pages for each school.
All five are secondary schools, because high school choice is where Scarborough buyers ask me the most questions. Scarborough is large, so I spread the picks from the Steeles corridor down to the Bluffs.
- Programs you can name: gifted, Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM), French, arts or a distinctive learning model.
- Board-confirmed facts: address, grades and programs from the board’s own school page.
- Spread across Scarborough: north, central and south so more buyers have a realistic option.
This is my judgement, not an official ranking. Attendance areas and program admission rules change, so always check your exact address with the board’s school locator before you buy or sign a lease.
1. Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute
What it offers
Bethune is the pick for families who want a school with a stated academic focus in math, science and business. The TDSB page says the school has “a reputation for academic excellence” and that students can excel in math, science, the arts, business, computer science and technology.
It runs a Specialist High Skills Major in Business, which lets Grade 11 and 12 students bundle courses and certifications around a career sector. The school also offers ESL classes for newcomers and social sciences and English courses aimed at post-secondary preparation.
What it means for buyers and renters
Bethune sits in north Scarborough. If a home’s listing names Bethune as the local secondary school, I still check the board locator myself, because listing remarks are written by sellers and are not always current.
For a student aiming at business, commerce or computer science programs after high school, the SHSM in Business is a concrete thing to point to. Ask at the open house how many seats the SHSM has and when students apply.
The school also runs mentoring programs with local elementary schools in music, robotics, drama, visual art, technology and an eco-club. That link between elementary and secondary is a useful thing to ask about at an open house.
Practical notes
- Address: 200 Fundy Bay Blvd, Scarborough, ON M1W 3G1
- Grades: 9 to 12
- Board: TDSB
- Programs: SHSM in Business, ESL
2. Woburn Collegiate Institute
What it offers
Woburn is the school I mention first to Scarborough parents whose child is already in an elementary gifted class. The TDSB page says its Gifted Program “provides a seamless transition for students coming from the elementary gifted program,” with a dedicated program leader tracking each student.
It is also known for robotics. The board page describes Woburn Robotics Team 188 as “a multi award-winning team” and says Woburn was the first Canadian team to compete in FIRST Robotics.
What it means for buyers and renters
Gifted placement is not something you get just by buying near the school, so do not pay a premium for a house on that assumption. Confirm how your child would be placed before you make the school part of your price.
Woburn is in central Scarborough on Ellesmere Road. Before you shortlist homes, pull up the attendance area and look at every housing type inside it, because a townhouse or condo inside the boundary can be a cheaper way into the same school than a detached house.
For students in the regular program, Woburn lists literacy and numeracy support for Grades 9 and 10, credit recovery and a Focus On Success program to help with academic workload.
Practical notes
- Address: 2222 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON M1G 3M3
- Grades: 9 to 12
- Board: TDSB
- Programs: Gifted, robotics, special education, student success supports
3. Agincourt Collegiate Institute
What it offers
Agincourt CI is the pick for music and for French. The TDSB page calls its music program “Nationally recognized” and award-winning, with strings, wind, jazz band, choir and Madrigal Singers, plus travel to festivals.
It offers Extended, Immersion and Core French courses, which matters if your child is coming out of an elementary French program. The school also runs four Specialist High Skills Majors: Business, Sports, Manufacturing and Not-for-Profit, with co-op placements.
What it means for buyers and renters
For a family that wants both French continuity and a serious arts program in one building, this school simplifies the decision. You do not have to choose between a French pathway and a music-focused school.
If French matters to you, check which French program your address is assigned to before you buy. French pathways are set by the board and can differ from the English-program attendance area.
The board page also lists an Autism Program and overnight leadership retreats, which are worth asking about if your child needs support or wants to get involved.
Practical notes
- Address: 2621 Midland Ave, Scarborough, ON M1S 1R6
- Grades: 9 to 12
- Board: TDSB
- Programs: Music, French (Extended, Immersion, Core), four SHSMs, Autism Program
4. R H King Academy
What it offers
R H King is the pick for families who want structure and a different school calendar. The TDSB page says school starts five days before Labour Day and includes a Wellness Break in November.
Every student gets a mentor teacher; the page says that teacher “will serve as your listener, coach and guide for four years of high school.” A timetabled clinic period is built in for self-directed learning, enrichment and remediation.
What it means for buyers and renters
The school sits on St Clair Avenue East in south Scarborough, closer to the Bluffs than the 401. If you are weighing south Scarborough against areas further north, a distinctive school like this can tip the balance.
The modified calendar affects family planning too. Late-August starts and a November break will not line up with a younger sibling’s school if that sibling attends a school on the regular calendar, so plan childcare and holidays accordingly.
Students who complete extra community involvement hours and three additional courses earn a King Certificate alongside the Ontario diploma. It is a clear signal of the school’s expectations.
Practical notes
- Address: 3800 St Clair Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1M 1V3
- Grades: 9 to 12
- Board: TDSB
- Programs: SHSM in Arts and Culture, computer engineering and robotics, CISCO networking, music theatre, co-op
5. Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School
What it offers
Mary Ward is the Catholic pick, and it is unusual. The TCDSB page says it is “one of only seven schools in Canada offering a unique model of individualized, self-paced learning,” supported by a teacher advisor program.
The school offers Gifted, Extended French, ESL and resource support. Enriched options include calculus, visual arts technology, animation and videography, and it lists a STEAM program and Specialist High Skills Majors.
What it means for buyers and renters
A self-paced model suits motivated, organized students and can frustrate others. I would visit with your teenager before treating this school as a reason to buy nearby.
Catholic school eligibility and attendance work differently from the public board, so confirm with the TCDSB how your family would register. Mary Ward sits at Kennedy and McNicoll in north Scarborough, so look at how your child would get there from the homes you are considering.
The page also lists more than 30 competitive athletic teams and a drama program that has staged shows such as West Side Story and Guys and Dolls. The school was founded in 1985.
Practical notes
- Address: 3200 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough, ON M1V 3S8 (Kennedy Rd and McNicoll Ave)
- Board: TCDSB
- Programs: Self-paced learning, Gifted, Extended French, ESL, STEAM, SHSM
The five at a glance
| School | Board | Address | Stand-out program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Norman Bethune CI | TDSB | 200 Fundy Bay Blvd | Math, science and SHSM in Business |
| Woburn CI | TDSB | 2222 Ellesmere Rd | Gifted program and robotics |
| Agincourt CI | TDSB | 2621 Midland Ave | Music and French (Extended, Immersion, Core) |
| R H King Academy | TDSB | 3800 St Clair Ave E | Modified calendar and mentor teachers |
| Mary Ward CSS | TCDSB | 3200 Kennedy Rd | Self-paced learning model |
What this means if you’re buying or selling in Scarborough
The first thing I tell Scarborough buyers is to check the school locator before falling for a house. Attendance areas do not always follow the nearest school, and specialized programs such as gifted and French have their own admission rules.
Second, separate the program from the address. Woburn’s gifted program and Mary Ward’s self-paced model draw students who qualify or choose them, so living next door does not guarantee a seat. Ask the school directly how admission works for your child’s grade.
Third, think about the commute your teenager will actually make. Bethune and Mary Ward are in north Scarborough, Woburn and Agincourt are central, and R H King is down by St Clair Avenue East; a long bus ride every day shapes family life more than most buyers expect.
Finally, budget for the whole school journey, not just high school. Your child will spend up to nine years in elementary school first, so check the elementary school and any French or gifted pathway for the same address at the same time.
If you are selling a home inside a well-known school’s area, put the school name and the locator result in your listing notes. Buyers with children search by school first, and a confirmed attendance area answers their first question before they book a showing.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best high schools in Scarborough?
My picks are Dr Norman Bethune CI, Woburn CI, Agincourt CI, R H King Academy and Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School. Each has a distinct strength: business and science at Bethune, gifted and robotics at Woburn, music and French at Agincourt, a modified calendar at R H King and self-paced learning at Mary Ward. This is my judgement, not an official ranking.
Does Woburn Collegiate have a gifted program?
Yes. The TDSB school page says Woburn’s Gifted Program provides a seamless transition for students coming from the elementary gifted program, with a dedicated program leader tracking each student’s progress. Living near the school does not by itself place a child in the gifted program, so confirm admission rules with the school or board.
What is different about R H King Academy?
According to the TDSB page, R H King starts five days before Labour Day and has a Wellness Break in November. Each student has a mentor teacher for all four years, a timetabled clinic period supports self-directed learning, and students can earn a King Certificate alongside the Ontario diploma by completing extra courses and community hours.
Is there a Catholic high school in Scarborough with self-paced learning?
Yes. Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School at 3200 Kennedy Road describes itself as one of only seven schools in Canada offering an individualized, self-paced learning model. It also offers Gifted, Extended French, ESL, STEAM and Specialist High Skills Major programs, according to the TCDSB school page.
Which Scarborough high school offers French Immersion?
Among my five picks, Agincourt Collegiate Institute lists Extended, Immersion and Core French courses, and Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School lists Extended French. French program pathways are assigned by the board, so check the TDSB or TCDSB French program tools for your address before you buy.
How do I confirm which Scarborough school my house is zoned for?
Use the TDSB or TCDSB school locator on the board’s website and enter the exact street address. Boundaries and program pathways change, so check again close to closing and ask the school directly about specialized programs that have their own admission process.
Sources
- Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute — About Us — TDSB
- Woburn Collegiate Institute school profile — TDSB
- Agincourt Collegiate Institute school profile — TDSB
- R H King Academy school profile — TDSB
- Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School — About Us — TCDSB
- Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute (Gr. 09-12) — TDSB
Related reading
- Top 5 Schools in Leaside & Lawrence Park (TDSB / TCDSB) (2026)
- Top 5 Schools in High Park & Roncesvalles (TDSB / TCDSB) (2026)
- Top 5 French Immersion Schools in Etobicoke (2026)
- Top 5 Schools in Etobicoke
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every figure here comes from a published table, regulator or statute linked in the sources, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.