Windsor (with Essex County) has several good elementary schools, both in the public and Catholic school board, and French and immersion programs. The following are the best schools, in terms of latest academic scores (EQAO), ranking, reputation of the community and special features.
School Type / Board Major Strengths and Notes
Bellewood Public School: Public, Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB)
- One of the best schools in Windsor.
- Equally strong in Grade 3 and 6 reading, writing, math scores in EQAO.
- Well-respected by parents.
W. F. Herman Academy: Public, GECDSB (JK-8)
- Very good performance at Grade 6.
- Also boasts good programs, which it is often said has a good environment and a French Immersion.
Talbot Trail Public School GECDSB (JK-8)
- Newer (2006) building, modern facilities, high EQAO scores.
- Serves South Windsor.
- Its community is something that many families like.
Ecole elementaire Louise-Charron: Public French elementary
- French-speaking families or families desiring the strong emphasis of French programming.
- It is ranked as one of the best state schools in Windsor in French and bilingual education.
Christ the King Separate School Catholic: Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
- Good ratings in reading and writing.
- Strong reputation among the Catholic schools.
Princess Elizabeth Public School: Public, GECDSB (JK-8)
- Small school; good early years (Grade 3) performance, good class sizes.
Also Read: Best Schools in Cambridge Ontario, Canada
What Makes a Great Elementary School in Windsor?
These are among the factors that make some schools best when they are compared:
EQAO Test Scores
Grades 3 and 6 Ontario standardized tests (reading, writing, math) are an effective intervention measure. Such schools as Bellewood and Talbot Trail are extremely good achievers.
Board & Program Type
Public vs. Catholic, French immersion or Francophone, or special programs (e.g. arts, STEM), all this will vary based on the desire of parents. Windsor-Essex has good public and catholic choices, as well as French classes.
Class Size & Resources
The more recent schools, or schools that have fewer students per class, are more likely to offer personal attention. Facilities also matter. A new facility is mentioned in Talbot Trail.
Community & Reputation
Parent Reviews, school culture, safety, extra-curricular activities, parent-teacher interaction. These are not necessarily measurable but manifest themselves in local reputation.
Location & Catchment
Transport, community sense and catchment regulations are issues of proximity (you may not be able to pick your school because it is overcrowded or because you are not within its boundaries).
Areas / Schools to Be Wary of or Compare Carefully
Although most of the Windsor schools are doing very well, there are at least some that have a mixed result or could be researched more:
- John Campbell Public School: Good in certain areas and poor in other ones. Well with some families that rely on what you value.
- H J Lassaline Catholic School: Lesser scores on some fronts; it might still fit your needs based on what you are interested in (e.g. small classes or particular programs).
- Forest Glade Public School: Moderate to low ratings in certain academic domains; the catchment, and resources as well as individual teacher influences are usually significant.
Parental Advice in selecting an Elementary School in Windsor
Visit the school if possible. Tour, Introduce to teachers/principals, Survey.
- Check the most recent EQAO scores of the Grades that you are interested in. Years are changing and therefore recent performance matters.
- Fraud checks boundaries at an early stage. There are schools that are over-subscribed; being in-area is an advantage.
- Research the options of programs: The French immersion, full French, Catholic school, public school, arts, special needs support, extracurricular activities.
- Speak to the neighborhood families. The stats do not always reflect the strengths and weak points of a local area.
- Think long term: Does the school provide supplementary programs to your child until Grade 8? Does that pathway have a smooth transition to high school?
The Frequently Asked Questions of Elementary Schools in Windsor, Ontario
What are the large school boards in Windsor elementary?
The main ones are:
- Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB)- public schools (English) such as standard, French immersion, etc.
- Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board- Catholic, faith-based curriculum, as well.
- These boards have French / Francophone boards or French immersion programs.
School ranking / comparison of Windsor schools. What data is used?
Key sources include:
- Grade 3/6 (reading, writing, math) results of EQAO provincial standardized tests.
- Test data and other indicators that are aggregated in Fraser Institute rankings.
- Parent feedback, local review sites (MySchoolRatings.ca, RealtyForSale.ca).
- Classes, facilities, special programs.
Does Windsor have French immersion or fully French schools?
Yes. There are French immersion and fully Francophone elementary schools in Windsor. An example is Ecole elementaire Louise-Charron which is entirely Francophone. A small number of public and Catholic schools offer immersion.
Is it possible to enroll my child to a school that is not within my catchment area?
Sometimes yes, but:
- Out-of-district application procedures are usually in boards. These can be time-limited, space-constrained and not necessarily awarded.
- Out of catchment transportation may be unavailable.
- It relies on the availability of space in the school / whether it is open to accommodate outside students.
What are the schools that provide the best academic performance?
The schools with high results seem to be:
- Bellewood Public School - best in Windsor in new rankings.
- Talbot Trail Public School - high results in the early years and middle years.
- W. F. Herman Academy - very good in higher grades.
What of the size and resources of the classes?
The class sizes differ according to the school and are usually smaller in new schools or schools that have specialized programs. The schools that have better resources tend to be more current, have access to technology, enhanced programs and more extra-curriculars. Never forget to consult the school-based or board reports.
What is the level of importance of reputation of the school or extra curriculum?
Quite a bit for many parents. Although the test scores indicate the academic performance, reputation and extracurriculars (sports, arts, clubs) are the ones that help a child develop and be happy at school in a holistic manner. It can be better sometimes with a slightly lower test score and a very strong environment.
Special education or English Language Learners (ELL)?
ELL and special education will have support in most schools but this will depend on the degree. It would be a good idea to call the school to inquire about:
- What supports are in place
- Ratios of teacher/educational assistant.
- The presence or absence of special programs or personnel.
Ranging frequency How often change rankings / scores?
Yearly. The EQAO is a test that takes place once a year; the results are publicly published. The relative rankings of schools may increase or decrease depending on the performance of the cohort, demographics, staff and program changes.
Does it have an automatic enrollment to the nearest school?
The school is usually the nearest to the home of children (it is within their catchment) unless the family chooses a program outside of the catchment (assuming it is available) or a special program (French immersion, etc). However, this can be influenced by capacity problems. Parents are to check with the school board.
Conclusion
In case you are more concerned with good grades, take a keen eye on such schools as Bellewood Public School, Talbot Trail, and W. F. Herman Academy.In case you want to study in French immersion or with full French, such schools as Louise-Charron are good.Give attention to school culture, extra curriculum and convenience (place, transportation) not only test scores.