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Understanding London’s School Options: Top Public & Private Schools in London, Ontario
London families can choose among Ontario’s four publicly funded school systems, while independent private and inspected online schools provide additional alternatives. Eligibility, boundaries, transportation, religious education and French-language rights differ by system, so families should confirm admission rules directly with the relevant board before selecting a school.
| System | Board Serving London | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English Public | Thames Valley District School Board | Neighbourhood secondary schools and regional specialty programs. |
| English Catholic | London District Catholic School Board | Faith-based secondary education for eligible Catholic and non-Catholic students. |
| French Public | Conseil scolaire Viamonde | Regional board serving London through Gabriel-Dumont. |
| French Catholic | Conseil scolaire catholique Providence | Regional board serving London through Mgr-Bruyère. |
Understanding London’s School Systems
The Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board publish boundaries, registration details and current programs. French-language education is a separate school system, not the same as French Immersion within an English-language board.
Notable Public High Schools in London
London’s notable public high schools are best compared by verified program fit rather than a single ranking. These schools represent different areas and offer distinctive pathways in IB, visual arts, French Immersion, aviation, business, construction, manufacturing, sports and information technology. Families should confirm current availability and admission procedures.
Oakridge Secondary School
- TVDSB
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Oakridge Secondary School is London’s verified TVDSB choice for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school describes IB as a rigorous two-year pathway with internationally recognized coursework and assessment. It may suit academically motivated students seeking a broad university-preparatory curriculum, subject to current application requirements.
H.B. Beal Secondary School
- TVDSB
- BealART
H.B. Beal Secondary School is notable for BealART, a specialized visual-art program spanning Grades 9 through 12. It also offers SHSM pathways in arts and culture, business, construction, information and communications technology, manufacturing and sports, combining academic credits with sector-focused experience.
Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School
- TVDSB
- French Immersion
Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School is one of TVDSB’s London secondary French Immersion locations. It also offers SHSM pathways in business, construction and sports. This combination may suit students seeking continued French study alongside certifications, cooperative education and practical experience connected to a career sector.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School
- TVDSB
- French Immersion
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School is another verified London secondary French Immersion site. Its SHSM offerings include construction, manufacturing and sports. Families should examine boundaries, transportation, course sequencing and the senior French Immersion credits required to earn the board’s certificate.
Montcalm Secondary School
- TVDSB
- Aviation School
Montcalm Secondary School is linked to TVDSB’s Aviation School, combining classroom learning at Montcalm with specialized learning at an airport hangar. The program includes aviation and aerospace studies, aircraft restoration, flight simulation, unmanned aerial vehicles, cooperative education and a Fanshawe College dual credit.
A.B. Lucas Secondary School
- TVDSB
- SHSM
A.B. Lucas Secondary School offers SHSM pathways in business, construction and sports. These programs connect Ontario secondary credits with certifications, experiential learning and cooperative education. Lucas may suit students seeking a neighbourhood-school setting with a clearly defined sector-focused pathway.
Notable Catholic High Schools in London
London’s Catholic secondary schools combine Ontario curriculum requirements with Catholic religious education, liturgies and faith-based community life. LDCSB states that Catholic and non-Catholic students may attend its secondary schools. However, all students are expected to take religious education throughout high school and participate in Catholic curriculum and faith celebrations.
Catholic Central High School
- LDCSB
- International Baccalaureate programme
Catholic Central High School offers the International Baccalaureate programme and Music Extension. It is a central-city option for students seeking an internationally structured academic pathway or expanded music study within a Catholic environment. Families should verify current IB entry requirements, course sequencing and application dates.
Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School
- LDCSB
- Advanced Placement and French Immersion
Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School lists Advanced Placement, French Immersion, Health and Wellness SHSM, Robotics and Engineering, and Non-Profit programming. It merits comparison for students interested in enriched academics, bilingual study or applied pathways involving science, technology, health and community service.
Saint André Bessette Catholic Secondary School
- LDCSB
- Multiple SHSM sectors
Saint André Bessette Catholic Secondary School offers SHSM sectors including arts and culture, business, construction, information and communications technology, justice and community safety, sports leadership and administration, and transportation. This breadth supports interests spanning creative, technical, public-service and athletic fields.
John Paul II Catholic Secondary School
- LDCSB
- Aviation and ICT pathways
John Paul II Catholic Secondary School lists SHSM pathways in aesthetics, arts and culture, aviation, foods, information and communications technology, non-profit and sports. These options combine diploma credits with certifications, cooperative education and sector experience in a Catholic secondary-school setting.
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School
- LDCSB
- Soccer and Hockey academies
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School offers specialized athletic opportunities through the Aquinas Soccer Academy and Hockey Academy, alongside SHSM programming. Students should compare training expectations, timetable implications, fees, transportation, and academic support rather than choosing an academy name alone.
French-Language Schools in London
London has French-language public and French-language Catholic secondary education. These schools deliver the Ontario curriculum primarily in French and support French-speaking community life. They differ from French Immersion programs inside English boards, where French is used for a portion of instruction rather than as the school system’s principal language.
École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde
École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont is London’s French-language public secondary school within Conseil scolaire Viamonde. Its verified offerings include sports and performing-arts excellence programs and MHS, the French equivalent of SHSM, in health and wellness, sports, arts and culture, environment, and information and communications technology.
École secondaire catholique Mgr-Bruyère
- Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
École secondaire catholique Mgr-Bruyère provides French-language Catholic secondary education through Conseil scolaire catholique Providence. It combines Ontario curriculum expectations with a French-speaking Catholic environment and community. Families should ask the board about rights-holder eligibility, admissions, transportation, boundaries and current specialized programs.
Section 23 of the Canadian Charter protects French-language education rights for eligible rights holders. Ontario also explains that French-language boards may use an admission committee for applicants who do not automatically hold those rights. See Ontario’s French-language education overview.
Which Specialty Programs and Curricula Are Available in London?
London students can access verified specialty options in IB, AP, French Immersion, visual and performing arts, aviation, robotics, technology and SHSM sectors. Admission, transportation, course sequence and recognition differ by program, so families should begin with the official school page rather than a general ranking list.
French Immersion
Part of an English-board program taught in French
Banting; Laurier; Mother Teresa
Tech/STEM
Aviation, engineering, robotics or ICT learning
Montcalm-linked Aviation School; Mother Teresa; John Paul II
Use rankings carefully
How Are London High Schools Ranked, and What Are the Caveats?
What rankings may measure
EQAO and Fraser Institute information can help families ask questions about academic outcomes, but neither identifies a definitive “best” London school. Results vary by school, assessment and cohort, so families should review current profiles and decide whether the data reflect the subjects and student needs most relevant to them.
What rankings may not measure
EQAO publishes school- and board-level assessment information and describes its data as one of many measures supporting inquiry. Fraser combines standardized-test indicators into comparative ratings and cautions against relying on one source. Neither fully captures program breadth, equity, school climate, supports, extracurricular life or improvement over time.
Parent takeaway
EQAO publishes school- and board-level assessment information and describes its data as one of many measures supporting inquiry. Fraser combines standardized-test indicators into comparative ratings and cautions against relying on one source. Neither fully captures program breadth, equity, school climate, supports, extracurricular life or improvement over time.
Flexible Online Learning in London
Flexible online learning can complement London’s local schools when a student needs a missing prerequisite, summer course, credit upgrade or retake, timetable solution, or recognized Ontario credits while homeschooling, travelling, training or managing other responsibilities. Suitability depends on independence, support needs, assessment expectations and the student’s wider academic plan.
Canadian Virtual School’s London online high school option is Ministry-inspected, BSID #882250. Eligible completed credits can count toward the OSSD like Ontario day-school credits, subject to diploma, prerequisite and record-keeping requirements. Students can explore online courses, summer school, course upgrading and ways to catch up on credits.
a missing prerequisite
Flexible online learning
summer course
Flexible online learning
credit upgrade or retake
Flexible online learning
timetable solution
Flexible online learning
Ministry-inspected
BSID #882250
OSSD credits
Ontario teachers
Year-round enrolment
Flexible learning
Student perspectives
How Flexibility Can Help
For example, a student might complete one summer credit to create timetable space for arts, technology or cooperative education. A homeschool family might use inspected online courses to build a recognized Ontario credit record. Neither approach guarantees admission outcomes; prerequisites, course selection and achievement still matter.
For example, a student might complete one summer credit to create timetable space for arts, technology or cooperative education.
London student
A homeschool family might use inspected online courses to build a recognized Ontario credit record.
London homeschool
A high school student might take an approved online course to meet a prerequisite or stay on track for graduation.
London student
A practical parent checklist
How Should Families Choose the Right London High School?
The right London high school matches the student’s verified program needs, eligibility, learning style and daily realities. A specialty program is useful only when the student can access it, manage the commute, complete the course sequence and thrive in the school’s academic, social and cultural environment.
Confirm boundaries, applications and transportation.
Match goals with actual courses, not only program labels.
Compare language, faith and learning environments accurately.
Ask how guidance, accommodations and student support work.
Review co-op, SHSM, dual-credit, arts, athletics and extracurricular options.
Check prerequisites for university, college, apprenticeship or work.
Consider whether an online credit solves a timetable or pacing problem.
Common parent questions
Frequently Asked Questions
London families ask about rankings, board differences, specialty-program locations, French-language access and online credits. The answers below summarize verified options, but boundaries, course availability, transportation and applications can change. Families should confirm details with the school or board before enrolling.
What are the best high schools in London, Ontario?
There is no single best high school for every London student. Families should compare verified program fit, catchment eligibility, language, faith environment, commute, student supports and learning style. Oakridge may suit an IB-focused student, H.B. Beal an arts-focused student, and other schools may be stronger fits for French Immersion, SHSM, athletics or neighbourhood access.
What is the difference between public and Catholic schools in London?
TVDSB is London’s English public board, while LDCSB provides publicly funded Catholic education with religion courses and faith-based programming. LDCSB states that Catholic secondary schools can enrol both Catholic and non-Catholic students. Still, all students must take religious education throughout high school and participate in the Catholic curriculum and faith celebrations.
Which London schools offer French Immersion?
TVDSB identifies Sir Frederick Banting and Sir Wilfrid Laurier as London secondary French Immersion sites. LDCSB lists Mother Teresa as a secondary French Immersion location and is expanding its network, so families should confirm the current designated school and grade availability using the board’s boundary and registration information.
Which London schools offer the IB program?
Oakridge Secondary School offers the IB Diploma Programme and identifies it as TVDSB’s only IB program. Catholic Central High School also offers International Baccalaureate programming through LDCSB. Because application steps, entry grades and program pathways can change, families should check each school’s current IB page before applying.
Which London schools offer AP courses?
Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School is the verified London example in this guide for Advanced Placement programming. Course availability and examination options can change by year and student demand, so families should confirm current AP subjects, prerequisites and application procedures directly with the school before making a course plan.
What is an SHSM?
A Specialist High Skills Major is an Ontario program that combines the OSSD with focused learning in an economic sector. Students complete an eight-to-ten-credit bundle, industry certifications, cooperative education and other sector experiences. Successful completion is recognized with an SHSM seal on the diploma and notation on the Ontario Student Transcript.
Are there French-language high schools in London?
Yes. École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont provides French-language public secondary education in London through Conseil scolaire Viamonde. In contrast, École secondaire catholique Mgr-Bruyère provides French-language Catholic secondary education through Conseil scolaire catholique Providence. French-language schooling is distinct from French Immersion because most instruction is delivered in French within a French-language school system.
Can students in London take high school courses online?
Yes. Canadian Virtual School is a Ministry-inspected private online high school, BSID #882250, that offers recognized Ontario secondary credits. London students may use it for a missing credit, summer school, mark upgrading or retaking, or a homeschool pathway requiring Ontario credits. Families should verify prerequisites and how the completed credit will be recorded before registering.
How should families use EQAO and Fraser Institute results?
Use EQAO and Fraser Institute information as one data point, not a complete judgment of school quality. EQAO reports literacy and mathematics assessment results, while Fraser combines standardized-test indicators into comparative ratings. Neither source fully measures program breadth, equity, school climate, student support, extracurricular life or improvement context, so current school visits and program information still matter.
Conclusion
London offers English public, English Catholic, French public and French Catholic secondary schools, with verified IB, AP, French Immersion, arts, aviation, technology and SHSM pathways. The strongest choice depends on access, eligibility, support, commute, learning environment and the student’s post-secondary or career goals.
Start with official board information, use ranking data cautiously and confirm prerequisites before applying. When flexibility is needed, an inspected online course can supplement a student’s plan.
Find the Right Learning Path for Your Child
Start with official board information, use ranking data cautiously and confirm prerequisites before applying. When flexibility is needed, an inspected online course can supplement a student’s plan.
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Canadian Virtual School
- Ontario Ministry-inspected private high school
- BSID #882250
- Recognized OSSD credit courses
- Year-round enrolment
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Speak with an advisor about prerequisites, upgrading or an OSSD pathway.
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