From JK to High School and Even Nature School, Here’s What You’ll FindWhether you're a young family moving to Collingwood or relocating with school-age kids, education is often a key part of the home-buying conversation. Luckily, Collingwood offers a wide range of schools—public, Catholic, private, alternative, and even nature-based learning programs—to support every kind of learner.Here’s a snapshot of what makes the local school system special.
📚 Public Elementary Schools
- Cameron Street Public SchoolLocated near the heart of town, Cameron Street PS offers JK to Grade 8 programming with a strong focus on inclusive education and community involvement. Currently offering a grade 1-4 French immersion program.
📍 575 Cameron Street
https://scdsboncacam.ss14.sharpschool.com/
- Admiral Collingwood Elementary School
A vibrant K–8 school in the east end, Admiral is known for its positive school culture, sports programs, involved parent community and it’s fantastic drama program! Currently offering a grade 5 - 8 French immersion program.
📍 15 Dey Drive
https://scdsboncaadm.ss14.sharpschool.com/
- Mountain View Public School
Serving Collingwood’s west end, Mountain View PS has a reputation for caring staff and strong academic programming for students JK to Grade 8.
📍 300 Spruce Street
https://scdsboncamtv.ss14.sharpschool.com/
- Connaught Public School
Centrally located and serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 8 in a welcoming, active environment. Well known for it’s small school vibe and smaller classrooms!
📍 300 Peel Street
https://scdsboncacon.ss14.sharpschool.com/
📚Catholic Elementary School
St. Mary’s SchoolOffers a faith-based education rooted in community, compassion, and academic growth. With a mission that emphasizes the value of each child as a unique and capable learner, St. Mary’s creates an environment that links home, school, and community in a meaningful way. 18 Saunders Street, Collingwood
https://smc.schools.smcdsb.on.ca/
🏫 French Catholic School
ÉÉC Notre-Dame-de-la-Huronie
A French-language Catholic school for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Known for its caring staff, strong academic results, and inclusive, faith-based environment, the school offers full French immersion and high-level bilingualism.Providing a seamless education in French, rooted in Catholic values.124 Cedar Street, Collingwoodhttps://nddlh.cscmonavenir.ca/notre-ecole/
🏫 Public High School
- Collingwood Collegiate Institute or, AKA “CCI”As the town’s main public high school, CCI offers a wide array of academic, arts, and athletic programs. CCI has an incredible marching band, competitive sports teams and a large student body. With deep roots in the community, CCI is a popular choice for students in Grades 9 through 12.
📍 6 Cameron Street
https://scdsboncacci.ss14.sharpschool.com/
✝️ Catholic High School
- Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High SchoolA vibrant Catholic secondary school serving students from across South Georgian Bay. Known for its inclusive community and values-based education. Fun fact, you don’t need to be Catholic to attend this school.
📍 160 Collins St, Collingwood
https://olb.schools.smcdsb.on.ca/
🌿 Private and Nature Schools
- Pretty River AcademyAn independent, co-ed school offering education from preschool through Grade 8 located on a large, bright campus. PRA focuses on academic excellence, especially when it comes to math and science, leadership, and character development.
📍 11521 Hwy 26 W
https://www.prettyriveracademy.com/
- National Ski Academy
A unique high school and training centre for student-athletes pursuing excellence in alpine skiing. Combines elite coaching with a strong academic curriculum.
📍 200 Oak Street
https://www.nsa.on.ca/
- Forest and Nature School
Free Spirit Forest & Nature School is the only not-for-profit forest school in Southern Georgian Bay, Free Spirit offers part-time and seasonal nature-based education programs for children ages 18 months to 12+, as well as adult learning.📍 Programs across Collingwood, Meaford, Wasaga & Creemore
fsforestschool.com
How to know what’s right for your family?
When choosing a school in Collingwood, many families look to provincial rankings to help guide their decision.
Here’s how to understand school rankings in Ontario
- Fraser Institute Rankings
The Fraser Institute publishes annual rankings for Ontario schools based on standardized testing, assigning each school a score out of 10 and comparing them across the province. For example, Mountain View Public School currently scores 6.3 out of 10, placing it 1,366th out of 3,021 elementary schools in Ontario.
You can explore more schools and their rankings at compareschoolrankings.org.
While these rankings offer a helpful snapshot, it’s important to remember that education is about more than numbers—each child learns differently, and a strong school community, caring educators, and inclusive programming can make all the difference.
Another tool you might find helpful is EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office)
EQAO is a trusted tool that evaluates schools based on a broader lens, including student performance in literacy and numeracy as well as their attitude toward learning. These tests are taken at Grade 3 and 6 to determine how students and schools are performing.
Thinking of Making a Move?
As a Realtor who lives and works in Collingwood, I understand the importance of school choice when selecting your next home. Whether you're searching for a family-friendly neighbourhood near a great elementary school or a community that supports alternative education paths, I'd be happy to help you find a home that fits your family’s lifestyle.📧 LeeAnn@hellocollingwood.ca☎️ (705) 446-8688
→ hellocollingwood.ca