If you’re buying a home in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, or the surrounding Waterloo Region, understanding local school performance can play an important role in choosing the right neighbourhood.
This page makes it easy to look up and compare school rankings in Waterloo Region, using publicly available data from the Fraser Institute — one of Canada’s most widely referenced sources for school performance reporting.
Use the Fraser Institute’s website to search for school rankings in Waterloo Region and view detailed performance reports.
The Fraser Institute has been tracking and reporting on school performance for over 20 years. Their rankings are based on objective, standardized data, including results from province-wide assessments administered by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
School rankings/reports are available for:
These reports are commonly used by:
What the Rankings Measure
These rankings are designed to provide one data point when evaluating schools — not the full picture. Factors like school culture, programs, class size, and community involvement are also important considerations when choosing where to live.
Not all schools are included in Fraser Institute rankings. Some schools may be excluded due to insufficient data from the Ministry of Education, being newly established or having limited testing history, or because their data does not meet reporting thresholds required for fair comparison. For this reason, school rankings should be used as one research tool among many, not as the sole factor when making a decision.
School boundaries, catchment areas, and program availability can vary significantly by address — even within the same neighbourhood.
When buying or selling a home in Waterloo Region, it’s important to understand:
If you’re unsure how schools factor into your home search or sale strategy, local guidance matters.
Need Help Navigating School Boundaries?
If you have questions or want help interpreting school boundaries as part of your home search, our team is here to help you make sense of the details and avoid common missteps before moving forward.
School rankings can raise a lot of questions. These FAQs offer general guidance and context to help you understand how school information is typically used and interpreted.
The rankings are based on standardized, publicly available academic data and are widely used across Canada. However, they measure academic performance only and should be considered alongside other factors.
No. Some schools are excluded due to limited or unavailable data from the Ministry of Education.
Not necessarily. School rankings do not reflect school culture, community involvement, extracurricular programs, or student support resources.
Yes. School attendance boundaries can change over time. Always confirm boundaries directly with the school board when making decisions.
