If you have a child entering high school in the coming years, this guide will help you understand both the latest Oakville high school performance ranking and the AP, IB, and I-STEM program updates from the Halton District School Board.

Oakville High School Ranking Highlights

This year’s results show why Oakville remains one of Ontario’s most competitive and academically driven communities. Several schools ranked within the top 1%–10% province-wide.

Here are the standouts:

Abbey Park — Score: 9.3 | Ontario #8

Strong in math, science, and business. Extremely high parent satisfaction.

Iroquois Ridge — Score: 9.3 | Ontario #8

Excellent STEM programs, math contests, and a leading DECA business club.

Oakville Trafalgar  — Score: 9.2 | Ontario #12

A long-established school known for strong humanities and arts.

Gaétan-Gervais — Score: 9.3

A top performer for French Immersion and French-language education.

White Oaks — Score: 8.8 | Ontario #29

The only school in Oakville offering the IB Diploma Programme — a big advantage for international-focused university pathways.

Garth Webb — Score: 8.5

A newer school with strong technology and athletics programs.

Thomas A. Blakelock — Score: 8.1

⚡ Key highlight: Blakelock is Oakville’s official I-STEM school
This program emphasizes innovation, engineering, design, and hands-on projects — very popular among students who love building and creating.

Other schools, such as Loyola, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Holy Trinity, all remain strong choices within their categories.

Oakville truly is a “you can’t go wrong” city — almost every school performs above the provincial average!

Understanding AP, IB, and I-STEM: Which One Should Your Child Choose?

The Halton District School Board has announced that all three special programs — AP, IB, and I-STEM — are now open for applications for the 2025 school year.

If your child is currently in Grade 8 or if you’re planning ahead, here is a clear breakdown:

1. IB (International Baccalaureate)

Offered in Oakville: White Oaks Secondary School

• One of the most structured and academically rigorous pathways

• Focuses on critical thinking, research, and global awareness

• Highly recognized by international universities (UK, US, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.)

• Best for self-motivated, academically strong students

• A “whole-child, whole-curriculum” system designed to elevate learning across all subjects

2. AP (Advanced Placement)

Offered in Oakville: Abbey Park, Iroquois Ridge, Garth Webb, and others

• Allows students to study university-level courses in high school

• Wide selection of subjects: calculus, chemistry, physics, economics, psychology, and more

• Strong AP scores can convert into university credits

• Great for students targeting competitive North American universities or who want depth in specific academic areas

• Flexible, practical, and highly valued in university admissions

3. I-STEM (Innovation, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

Offered in Oakville: Thomas A. Blakelock

• Combines engineering, technology, innovation, and hands-on problem-solving

• Heavy focus on project-based learning: robotics, design, coding, 3D printing, community problem-solving

• Perfect for students who love building, creating, experimenting, and innovating

• More applied and practical compared to AP/IB’s academic focus

In One Sentence

• Academic all-rounder → IB

• Strong in math/science, aiming for top universities → AP

• Hands-on, engineering/tech-minded, creative → I-STEM

Why So Many Families Choose Oakville?

The reasons are clear:

✔ Top-ranked high schools
✔ Multiple learning pathways (AP, IB, I-STEM, French Immersion, Catholic schools)
✔ Safe neighbourhoods and strong family-oriented communities
✔ Extremely competitive post-secondary outcomes

Oakville is no longer a “hidden gem”—it has become the top choice city for families in the GTA.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning your child’s high school pathway or preparing for AP/IB/I-STEM applications, or if you’re considering moving to a school zone that better fits your child’s needs, I’d be happy to guide you through:

📍 Which school district suits your child most
📍 Which program aligns with their learning style and future plans
📍 How to plan a home move strategically to enter your preferred school catchment

Feel free to reach out anytime!

Contact The Fisher Group – Your Real Estate Experts in Oakville and the GTA

Fisher Yu
📱 647.598.8488
📧 [email protected]
🌐 thefishergroup.ca