It is normally high priority for families who are moving to locate in a neighbourhood that has the best school suited for their young family – and with good reason. With so many elementary schools in Stratford, this should make this aspect of your decision much easier, as there is practically no neighbourhood within the city that does not have an easily accessible elementary school within walking distance.
There are fourteen elementary schools serving the city and surrounding community of Stratford, Ontario. Nine public elementary schools are served under the Avon Maitland District School Board. Four Catholic elementary schools are under the umbrella of the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board. And there is also one private elementary school serving Stratford and the surrounding area. The following is a look at five of the fourteen schools: two public, two Catholic, and one private. It is hoped that this will give you a glimpse into what each one offers, and which might be the best fit to develop your youngster to grow into the best person they can be.
Bedford Public School
Quick Facts:
- Morning Bell: 9:00 am
- School Day Ends: 3:25 pm
- Grades: Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6
- Highlights: Emphasis on the Arts and the Environment, French Immersion
Bedford Public School is located north of the Avon River at 59 Bedford Drive in the northeastern part of the city, just off Mornington Street. It is adjacent to the following neighbourhoods: Romeo Street North Area: Verona Village, North Pointe Estates, and The Fields, and the Avon River North Area. Bedford PS is a dual track French Immersion / English school providing grades Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6 under the Avon Maitland District School Board. School enrollment is around 450 students, but class sizes are kept below 20 pupils per class.
Bedford PS puts much importance on the arts, going above and beyond to give the children a wonderful opportunity to express their talents. The school also strongly emphasizes the environment. Outdoor learning and greening Bedford PS’s school yard initiatives that have been prioritized for a number of years.
Bedford Public School’s ranking on the provincial testing for 2019 is 6.1. This landed the school at 1540 out of 3037 provincial schools. Bedford’s average over the last four years is 5.7, making them a nice average since the provincial overall school average is 6.0.
Avon Public School
Quick Facts:
- Morning Bell: 9:10 am
- School Day Ends: 3:30 pm
- Grades: Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6
- Highlights: Fundraising, Participating in Special Events, Home of Avon Eagles
Avon Public School is located at 31 Huntingdon Avenue in a quiet neighbourhood in the West end of Stratford, not far from the neighbourhood of John Street Area. Avon PS is an Avon Maitland District School Board school, teaching grades Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6. School enrollment is just over 300 students, with an average class size at or below 23 pupils.
Avon PS’s spirit of community within the school is readily evident, making this an inviting place for your youngster to grow in learning and development. Home of the Avon Eagles, there are many activities through sports and the arts to enlarge each child’s borders of discovery and growth.
Avon Public School’s ranking for 2019 is 6.1, making it about average on the Fraser Institute score listing. This ranks the school 1540 out of 3037 province wide. Avon PS has held quite steady the last four years fluctuating between 5.7 and 6.3, giving the school an average of 6.0.
Hamlet Public School
Quick Facts:
- Morning Bell: 8:55 am
- School Day Ends: 3:25 pm
- Grades: Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6
- Highlights: Focused on Learning, Days of Awareness, Exciting Spirit Days, Character Building
Situated in the south end of Stratford, Hamlet Public School is located at 315 West Gore Street and is under the Avon Maitland District School Board. The school is sandwiched between these two neighbourhoods: the John Street South Area and the Dufferin Park Area. It holds classes for grades Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6, with a total school enrollment of about 190 students. Class sizes are under 24 pupils.
Hamlet PS’s emphasis is on learning in a comfortable encouraging environment. Educators strive to teach students to grow through appealing, stimulating, and novel means, preparing them for their future endeavours. Children are encouraged to learn even more through extra curricular activities in arts and athletics. There is never a dull moment at Hamlet, with exciting spirit days, engaging days of awareness, and innovative fun in the classroom and beyond.
Hamlet Public School’s ranking for 2019 came in at an impressive 6.6. This is Hamlet’s best score over the last four years. Their four year average is 5.4, so this latest score of 6.6 shows that Hamlet PS is making huge strides in the right direction. Hamlet is ranked 1195 out of the 3037 provincial elementary schools.
Jeanne Sauve Catholic School
https://jeannesauve.huronperthcatholic.ca/
Quick Facts:
- Morning Bell: 8:45 am
- School Day Ends: 3:05 pm
- Grades: Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8
- Highlights: Excellent Provincial Test Scores, French Immersion Proficiency, Highly Recommended
One of four of Stratford’s elementary schools under the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board, Jeanne Sauve Catholic School is located at 8 Grange Street just southeast of the city’s down town core, and serves both the city and the surrounding area. It is not far from the Avon River South Area neighbourhood. Fifteen classrooms provide plenty of space for grades Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, with class sizes kept nicely below 20 pupils. Average enrollment totals just over 300 students.
Jeanne Sauve’s French Immersion program commences in the first grade. Throughout the school years, students develop strong aptitude by having ample opportunities to learn and communicate ‘en francais.’ The school emphasizes development in faith and school studies in both English and French. In fact, students learn more than 50% of their studies in French, making them quite proficient bilingually upon graduation.
Jeanne Sauve Catholic School’s provincial test scores are consistently well above average. Their 2019 score is 7.0. Ranging from 6.2 to 7.3, they have a four year average of 6.7. The school ranks 893 out of Ontario’s 3037 schools. A professor of economics at Wilfrid Laurier University said Jeanne Sauve is “truly outstanding,” in his study of Ontario’s best public schools. How is that for a fine recommendation!
Stratford and District Christian School
Quick Facts:
- Morning Bell: 8:45 am
- School Day Ends: 3:15 pm
- Grades: Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8
- Highlights: Education Excellence, Exceptional Student to Teacher Ratio, Teaching of Phonics, Emphasis on Faith
Stratford and District Christian School (SDCS) is located in a quiet neighbourhood in the southwest area of Stratford at 190 Queensland Road, at the south end of the John Street South Area neighbourhood. Established in 1977, yet in a newly built facility as of 2009, SDCS is Stratford’s only parent-run private elementary school, serving the city and surrounding communities. As a multi denominational, Christian faith-based school, tuition is required for admission; however bursaries and support may be available if eligibility requirements are met. Some may think it silly to pay for primary schooling; but others realize that education is worth its price. School enrollment averages about 100 students. Other than kindergarten, classes are split grades; but in spite of this the average class size runs approximately 17 pupils (this number reflects the class size, not the grade size). So students still get the attention and direction they need from the teacher.
Because SDCS is a privately run school, Fraser Institute ratings are not available for comparison. But with small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a strong commitment to enriching students’ learning, SDCS exceeds Ontario’s education standards. The school strives to be a place of developing the student as a whole – mentally, physically, and socially – the perfect formula for growth as an individual.
Above and beyond the required Ontario curriculum, students also have 30-40 minutes of study in the scripture each day. However, the biblical perspective also influences all the other subjects as well. A variety of sport opportunities are available to participate in, where students can discover and hone their talents, as well as develop their teamwork skills and good sportsmanship. Music is also a priority in all grade levels, through singing and playing instruments. In Grades 3 to 6, students learn to play the recorder. By Grades 7 and 8 students can then enter the instrumental band program. The school also has a full sized computer lab for students to sharpen their technological proficiency. With many exciting spirit days and events, learning is challenging and always fun in a family type atmosphere at Stratford and District Christian School.
So there you have the specs and highlights on just five of Stratford’s 14 elementary schools. With so many schools to choose from, the decision of which one is right for your growing family may be a challenge. But you are sure to find one that suits your needs and desires for your children to advance as a person in learning, development, and maturity.