Choosing the right neighbourhood for your family requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Evaluating the local school zones should place high on the list of factors to consider, as this will affect your children’s academic future. For this reason, when purchasing a house in Kitchener-Waterloo, many home buyers prioritize finding a neighbourhood with an excellent school district.
For homebuyers in Ontario looking to purchase a house within an excellent school district, Zoocasa’s school search tool can help simplify the search. This feature is the first of its kind and allows customers to explore listings by school boundaries, covering elementary and secondary schools under both public and Catholic school boards. The results also come with ratings from EQAO and Fraser Institute, enabling an efficient way to narrow down potential schools. It’s important to note that school boundaries often change, so it’s vital to confirm boundaries before purchasing.
Here are some neighbourhoods in Kitchener-Waterloo within great school zones:
Bridgeport East
Bridgeport is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Waterloo, located on the city’s east end. It offers a quiet, rural setting with easy access to Uptown Waterloo via bus, bike or car. Bridgeport has grown over the years and includes multiple neighbourhoods, such as Bridgeport North, Bridgeport East, and Bridgeport West. It is known for its beauty, serene outdoor atmosphere and proximity to modern amenities. Further attracting home buyers is its privacy, higher quality of life and scenic outlook that many are looking for long-term. The homes in the area can range from 100+ years old to brand new builds, offering various options such as bungalows, post-war homes and family-style suburban homes to suit all tastes. Residents likely attend Bridgeport Public School (2.9), St Teresa Catholic Elementary School (2.9), St Agnes Catholic Elementary School (3.0) or St Matthew Catholic Elementary School (2.9). Then, they might move on to Bluevale Collegiate Institute (2.8) or Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute (3.0). You can tap on one of these schools to find available listings within that school zone.
Grand River South
The Grand River South neighbourhood is located on the east side of Kitchener alongside the Grand River, with mostly detached and townhouse-style homes. Residents are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor activities, with natural areas such as Lackner Wood Natural Area and Walter Bean Grand River Trail providing plenty of opportunities for casual and expert hikers alike. For winter sports enthusiasts, Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort offers skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and ziplining. The neighbourhood is excellent for those looking to stay active and enjoy the outdoors all year round. Residents likely attend Lackner Woods (3.1) or Saint John Paul II Catholic Elementary School (3.0). If you’d like to see homes within this area, tap on one of the schools!
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Laurelwood
Laurelwood is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods for those moving to Waterloo, partly because it is home to the best elementary school in Kitchener-Waterloo. But educated, tech-savvy buyers of homes and apartments in Waterloo will discover that this city offers much more than just excellent schools. This neighbourhood brings a perfect balance of active living and peaceful streets. The Laurelwood Neighbourhood Association organizes up to twelve events annually, including a summer carnival with hot air balloon rides and outdoor movies, a Friday night youth night and an annual Easter egg hunt. Residents likely attend Laurelwood Public School (3.2), St Nicholas Catholic Elementary School (3.0), Vista Hills Public School (2.9) or Abraham Erb Public School (3.1) before graduating to Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School (2.7) or Resurrection Catholic Secondary School (3.0). You can tap on one of these schools to find available listings within that school zone.
Eastbridge
Eastbridge is a vibrant and active neighbourhood located in the northeast corner of Waterloo. It offers plenty of activities for every resident, including RIM Park’s state-of-the-art indoor recreation facility, Grey Silo Golf Course, walking trails and bike paths leading to the Grand River, baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Eastbridge has reasonable access to the expressway, shops, restaurants and an active neighbourhood association that organizes monthly events. The homes are modern, with smaller lots, mature trees and walking trails providing a connection to nature. Residents likely attend a school with a 3.0 rating, like Millen Woods Public School, St Luke Catholic Elementary School or Lexington Public School. Then, they’ll graduate to other highly rated schools such as St David Catholic Secondary School (2.8), Bluevale Collegiate Institute (2.8) or Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute (3.0). Find a home in this area below:
Beechwood
Beechwood is a desirable, family-friendly neighbourhood on the west side of Waterloo between Erbsville Road and Westmount Road. Homes are typically large and traditional, with spacious lots and mature trees. It features six community pools, tennis courts, parks, soccer fields and skating rinks, childcare facilities nearby and paved walking trails among the trees. This neighbourhood is a significant institution centre, attracting many students looking for student housing. Residents in Waterloo frequently rent out basement residences. Residents likely attend Laurelwood Public School (3.2), Mary Johnston Public School (3.0) or Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School (2.9). After, students will likely filter to Resurrection Catholic Secondary School (3.0) or Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School (2.7).
Start Your Search!
1. Go to: www.zoocasa.com/search
2. In the Search bar, type in the city that you’re interested in
3. Click on the black graduation cap icon to set filters
- Current and five-year historical (where available) EQAO and Fraser ranking data for each school and the average ranking for school districts.
- Reveal school boundaries and the schools and property listings within them.
- Find school information pages, including contact information, ranking and ratings, the number of students and grade range, and an Expand function to uncover the available listings within that district.
Although this tool is beneficial, it’s important to remember that school boundaries aren’t static – they change pretty frequently. Even if two houses are in the same area, each could be in different school zones, so it’s essential to confirm these boundaries before making purchasing decisions.
Ask us to help you find homes by school district! One of our expert real estate agents will guide you through the process.
