The Bay of Quinte’s high schools have been rated once again in the Fraser Institute’s latest rankings, and there’s plenty to talk about. From standout achievers to schools working to improve, the results provide a snapshot of how local education compares to other schools across Ontario and Canada.
A Regional Standout
Topping the local list is École secondaire publique Marc Garneau in Trenton, which scored a 7.5 out of 10, ranking 141st among 746 Ontario schools. Although its score dropped slightly from last year’s 7.8 (87th place), it continues to lead the Bay of Quinte region.
Full Local School Rankings (out of 746 schools)
Here’s how all 12 high schools from the region scored:
- École secondaire publique Marc Garneau: 7.5 (141/746)
- East Northumberland Secondary School: 6.3 (323/746)
- Bayside Secondary School: 6.2 (345/746)
- St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School: 6.2 (345/746)
- St. Paul Catholic Secondary School: 5.6 (452/746)
- Centennial Secondary School: 5.5 (474/746)
- Nicholson Catholic College: 5.5 (474/746)
- Centre Hastings Secondary School: 5.1 (541/746)
- Campbellford District Secondary School: 4.7 (581/746)
- East Side Secondary School: 3.9 (657/746)
- Prince Edward Collegiate Institute: 3.7 (671/746)
- Trenton High School: 2.8 (709/746)
The regional average is 5.25, slightly below the national average of 6.0.
How Bay of Quinte Schools Compare Nationally
Across Canada, schools in British Columbia lead with an average score of 7.2, setting the benchmark for excellence. Ontario schools follow closely with an average of 6.6, thanks to a strong focus on literacy and numeracy. However, smaller communities like the Bay of Quinte often face unique challenges that influence their rankings, such as access to specialized resources and extracurricular programming.
Key Observations
- Room for Growth: While the region’s schools rank lower overall, the presence of a standout like École secondaire publique Marc Garneau shows that high performance is achievable.
- Improvement Over Time: Schools like Trenton High School, while ranked lowest locally, improved their score from 2.4 last year to 2.8 this year—a step in the right direction.
- Data Insights: Rankings are based on factors like provincial math and literacy test results, gender gap performance, and the number of students achieving or exceeding provincial standards.
Encouraging Success
Local educators can use these rankings as a tool to identify strengths and areas for growth, ensuring Bay of Quinte students receive a strong educational foundation.
