Photo: Derek Hatfield from Peterborough, Canada · CC BY 2.0Thunder Bay’s schools belong to 4 boards that cover the same streets
Thunder Bay CDSB leads with 21 schools, alongside Lakehead DSB, CSDC des Aurores boréales and CS public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario. Catholic schools make up 24 of 44, above the 34% in Ontario. In or within 3 km of Thunder Bay: 36 elementary schools, 6 secondary schools and 2 alternative or adult schools, with 15,300 students.
What stands out about Thunder Bay’s schools
Results on both sides
The results split: 10 of 37 schools in the upper two fifths in Ontario, 13 in the lower, with Claude E Garton Public School, Nor'wester View Public School and St Paul Catholic Elementary School on top. Results ↓
The strongest results
Claude E Garton Public School (elementary) posts the area’s strongest results: the top fifth in Ontario. Results ↓
The comparisons are with the province’s schools, never across provinces.
The 4 boards that run schools here
Every board or service centre with a school in the area, and its schools.
The four systems cover the same streets, so the nearest school may not be the one a family’s system offers: English or French, public or Catholic, each has its own board.
| Board | System | Schools | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bay CDSBSt Ignatius, St Patrick, Pope John Paul II, St Bernard Catholic, St Martin Catholic, Holy Family Catholic, Holy Cross Catholic, Corpus Christi Catholic … | English Catholic | 21 | 6,850 |
| Lakehead DSBWestgate, Hammarskjold, Ecole Elsie MacGill PS (Elementary), Ecole Gron Morgan, Superior, Woodcrest, Claude E Garton, Kingsway Park … | English public | 19 | 7,915 |
| CSDC des Aurores boréalescatholique Franco-Supérieur, de La Vérendrye, catholique de La Vérendrye | French Catholic | 3 | 535 |
| CS public du Grand Nord de l'Ontariopublique des Vents du Nord | French public | 1 | – |
Boards as Ontario’s list names them (its short forms: DSB, CDSB, CS).
Who runs Thunder Bay’s schools
Each level’s schools by system: English public, English Catholic, French-language, and independent or other.
Who runs them, in numbers: English public 19, English Catholic 21 and French-language 4.
The provincial school lists: each school’s board, language and Catholic or public status.
How Thunder Bay’s schools do on Ontario’s tests
EQAO’s Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments and the literacy test, 2024-25: each school against every school in Ontario.
Its School Grade is B: it compares these results with the other towns of the province.
The area’s schools by fifth of the province
Each school’s band is the average of its measures’ fifths. The mark shows an even fifth of the area’s schools.
| Measure | Schools | Middle here | Ontario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 reading | 29 | 81% | 76% |
| Grade 3 writing | 29 | 70% | 65% |
| Grade 3 math | 29 | 67% | 65% |
| Grade 6 reading | 31 | 84% | 88% |
| Grade 6 writing | 31 | 86% | 86% |
| Grade 6 math | 31 | 42% | 51% |
| Grade 9 math | 6 | 54% | 55% |
| Literacy test (OSSLT), first try | 6 | 81% | 85% |
On Grade 6 math the area trails, 42% against 51% in Ontario. The area is ahead on 3 of 8 measures and behind on 3. At 18 schools more of the measures rose than fell over three years; at 10, more fell.
Every school’s results (37)
| School | Measure | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Claude E Garton Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 96% · G3 writing 88% · G3 math 94% · G6 reading 98% · G6 writing 98% · G6 math 80% | Top fifth |
| Nor'wester View Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 94% · G3 writing 87% · G3 math 87% · G6 reading 97% · G6 writing 95% · G6 math 76% | Top fifth |
| St Paul Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 93% · G3 writing 73% · G3 math 80% · G6 reading 100% · G6 writing 88% · G6 math 81% | Second fifth |
| St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 84% · G3 writing 84% · G3 math 65% · G6 reading 93% · G6 writing 89% · G6 math 70% | Second fifth |
| Woodcrest Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 78% · G3 writing 72% · G3 math 69% · G6 reading 90% · G6 writing 94% · G6 math 60% | Second fifth |
| École secondaire catholique de La VérendryeSecondary · Grades 9–12 | G9 math 64% · OSSLT 90% | Second fifth |
| Ecole Elsie MacGill PS (Elementary)Elementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 81% · G3 writing 70% · G3 math 62% · G6 reading 94% · G6 writing 92% · G6 math 56% | Second fifth |
| Ecole Gron Morgan Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 77% · G3 writing 78% · G3 math 66% · G6 reading 94% · G6 writing 95% · G6 math 58% | Second fifth |
| St Elizabeth Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 85% · G3 writing 75% · G3 math 80% · G6 reading 91% · G6 writing 83% · G6 math 48% | Second fifth |
| Holy Cross Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 88% · G3 writing 73% · G3 math 79% · G6 reading 88% · G6 writing 82% · G6 math 50% | Second fifth |
| Five Mile Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 96% · G3 writing 52% · G3 math 91% · G6 reading 81% · G6 writing 85% · G6 math 59% | Middle fifth |
| Hammarskjold High SchoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | G9 math 57% · OSSLT 88% | Middle fifth |
| Ogden Community Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 94% · G3 writing 81% · G3 math 88% · G6 reading 61% · G6 writing 89% · G6 math 17% | Middle fifth |
| C D Howe Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 82% · G3 writing 76% · G3 math 76% · G6 reading 82% · G6 writing 94% · G6 math 31% | Middle fifth |
| Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 65% · G3 writing 65% · G3 math 61% · G6 reading 91% · G6 writing 91% · G6 math 66% | Middle fifth |
| Holy Family Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 86% · G3 writing 76% · G3 math 67% · G6 reading 79% · G6 writing 91% · G6 math 55% | Middle fifth |
| Kingsway Park Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 81% · G3 writing 84% · G3 math 81% · G6 reading 78% · G6 writing 78% · G6 math 30% | Middle fifth |
| St Ann Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 100% · G3 writing 94% · G3 math 81% · G6 reading 59% · G6 writing 41% · G6 math 11% | Middle fifth |
| St Vincent Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 83% · G3 writing 56% · G3 math 61% · G6 reading 95% · G6 writing 86% · G6 math 32% | Middle fifth |
| Superior Collegiate and Vocational InstituteSecondary · Grades 9–12 | G9 math 60% · OSSLT 76% | Middle fifth |
| École catholique Franco-SupérieurElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 62% · G3 writing 44% · G3 math 59% · G6 reading 90% · G6 writing 90% · G6 math 81% | Middle fifth |
| McKellar Park Central Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 90% · G3 writing 70% · G3 math 80% · G6 reading 71% · G6 writing 71% · G6 math 7% | Middle fifth |
| St Bernard Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 80% · G3 writing 60% · G3 math 56% · G6 reading 87% · G6 writing 87% · G6 math 38% | Middle fifth |
| Westmount Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 68% · G3 writing 50% · G3 math 54% · G6 reading 84% · G6 writing 84% · G6 math 68% | Middle fifth |
| St Ignatius High SchoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | G9 math 50% · OSSLT 85% | Fourth fifth |
| St Patrick High SchoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | G9 math 51% · OSSLT 76% | Fourth fifth |
| St James Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading not reported · G3 writing not reported · G3 math not reported · G6 reading 88% · G6 writing 75% · G6 math 40% | Fourth fifth |
| St Martin Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 74% · G3 writing 59% · G3 math 51% · G6 reading 83% · G6 writing 88% · G6 math 38% | Fourth fifth |
| Our Lady of Charity Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 74% · G3 writing 32% · G3 math 53% · G6 reading 88% · G6 writing 88% · G6 math 29% | Fourth fifth |
| St Jude Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 67% · G3 writing 60% · G3 math 67% · G6 reading 82% · G6 writing 86% · G6 math 32% | Fourth fifth |
| St Pius X Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 67% · G3 writing 57% · G3 math 52% · G6 reading 81% · G6 writing 81% · G6 math 42% | Fourth fifth |
| Vance Chapman Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 73% · G3 writing 53% · G3 math 67% · G6 reading 71% · G6 writing 71% · G6 math 41% | Fourth fifth |
| St Francis Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 59% · G3 writing 55% · G3 math 45% · G6 reading 76% · G6 writing 86% · G6 math 52% | Fourth fifth |
| Westgate Collegiate and Vocational InstituteSecondary · Grades 9–12 | G9 math 43% · OSSLT 75% | Bottom fifth |
| Algonquin Avenue Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading 67% · G3 writing 58% · G3 math 42% · G6 reading 54% · G6 writing 38% · G6 math 23% | Bottom fifth |
| St Margaret Catholic Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | G3 reading 62% · G3 writing 48% · G3 math 35% · G6 reading 80% · G6 writing 73% · G6 math 30% | Bottom fifth |
| Sherbrooke Public SchoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | G3 reading not reported · G3 writing not reported · G3 math not reported · G6 reading 62% · G6 writing 31% · G6 math 12% | Bottom fifth |
Ontario Ministry of Education, School Information Finder 2024–25 (EQAO results; N/R where groups are too small). Open Government Licence – Ontario.
Where the 44 schools in and around Thunder Bay are
A pin for every school, its colour the system it belongs to.
Points from the provincial lists.
Schooling in English and French around Thunder Bay
The language each school teaches in, against every school in Ontario.
The mark on each bar is the share of schools in Ontario.
École catholique Franco-Supérieur, École secondaire catholique de La Vérendrye, École catholique de La Vérendrye and École publique des Vents du Nord teach in French; CSDC des Aurores boréales and CS public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario runs the public ones among the 4.
Section 23 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives French-speaking parents the right to French-language schooling for their children, through the French-language boards.
How children get a place in Thunder Bay
The neighbourhood school
Where a family lives settles it: the board’s map ties every address to one school, and a seat anywhere else waits on spare room.
Catholic schools
The Catholic boards are as public as the others: free, with elementary schools that generally require a Catholic parent and high schools open to everyone.
French-language schools
Section 23 rights-holders, francophone parents or those schooled in French in Canada, have a place; others apply to the board’s committee.
The provinces’ education acts and the boards’ own admission policies; check with the board for a given address.
The 44 schools in and around Thunder Bay
Show all 36 elementary schools
High schools within reach of Thunder Bay
Every secondary school within 15 km of the town, nearest first.
6 secondary schools are within 15 km: 3 English public, 2 English Catholic and 1 French Catholic. For the shortest journey, Hammarskjold High School: 2.9 km.
| School | Board | System | Band | Students | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammarskjold High SchoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Lakehead DSB | English public | Middle fifth | 960 | 2.9 km |
| École secondaire catholique de La VérendryeSecondary · Grades 9–12 | CSDC des Aurores boréales | French Catholic | Second fifth | 135 | 3.5 km |
| Superior Collegiate and Vocational InstituteSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Lakehead DSB | English public | Middle fifth | 685 | 4.1 km |
| St Patrick High SchoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Thunder Bay CDSB | English Catholic | Fourth fifth | 1,030 | 4.6 km |
| Westgate Collegiate and Vocational InstituteSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Lakehead DSB | English public | Bottom fifth | 1,075 | 5.6 km |
| St Ignatius High SchoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Thunder Bay CDSB | English Catholic | Fourth fifth | 1,045 | 5.8 km |
Distances in a straight line from the town’s centre point.
Alternative, adult and other schools around Thunder Bay
Outside the usual elementary and high schools: alternative programs at Lakehead Alternative School and TB Catholic Alternative Education. Their cards ↑
The kinds as the provincial lists give them (alternative, adult and continuing education, online, provincial schools).
Towns its size in Ontario
Similar-sized towns and their schools within 3 km, by population.
| Town | Population | Schools | Students | French | Nearest secondary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrie | 174,469 | 54 | 29,165 | 6 | 1.4 km |
| … | |||||
| Waterloo | 142,450 | 58 | 33,340 | 2 | 0.7 km |
| Ajax | 141,111 | 67 | 35,990 | 4 | 1 km |
| Brantford | 123,521 | 50 | 20,085 | 1 | 1.2 km |
| Pickering | 118,378 | 87 | 41,425 | 6 | 1.5 km |
| Thunder Bay | 117,671 | 44 | 15,300 | 4 | 3 km |
| Bowmanville | 114,180 | 60 | 32,365 | 1 | 0.8 km |
| Niagara Falls | 113,983 | 48 | 18,410 | 3 | 0.4 km |
| Chatham | 112,716 | 45 | 14,950 | 6 | 0.9 km |
| Peterborough | 97,834 | 34 | 14,960 | 2 | 1.1 km |
| … | |||||
| Simcoe | 75,618 | 32 | 11,730 | 1 | 5.2 km |
In 16 of the 21 others the count is higher. 21 of the 22 have a French-language school.
Populations from Statistics Canada; schools from the provincial lists, in or within 3 km of each town.
Schools in the towns around Thunder Bay
For each nearby town, its schools in or within 3 km of its outline, with straight-line distances.
| Town | Schools | French | Catholic or independent | Nearest secondary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bay | 44 | 4 | 24 | 3 km |
| Fort William 52 9.6 km | 12 | 0 | 7 | 5 km |
| Oliver Paipoonge 16 km | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 km |
Each of its 2 neighbours has fewer schools.
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Boards and systems. Boards come in one language each, and where the province funds Catholic schools, as public or Catholic; independent schools stand outside them.
- The year. The provincial list for 2024-25.
- What isn’t here. What no open list gives: inspection grades, several years of enrolment, and Ontario’s private schools.
- Bands, not ranks. The fifths are of schools, not students: a small school counts as much as a large one.
- The kinds of school. Each school is elementary, secondary or all-grade by the grades it teaches; alternative, adult and online programs sit in a group of their own.
- Which schools count. The area is Thunder Bay plus a 3 km margin around it, measured from its census outline.
Questions about schools in Thunder Bay
Which boards run the schools in Thunder Bay?
Thunder Bay CDSB (21), Lakehead DSB (19), CSDC des Aurores boréales (3) and CS public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario (1), with each one’s schools in brackets.
How do I get a place at a school in Thunder Bay?
Ask the board which school serves your street, then register through it.
Is there a French-language school in Thunder Bay?
Yes, there are French-language schools: École catholique Franco-Supérieur, École secondaire catholique de La Vérendrye, École catholique de La Vérendrye and École publique des Vents du Nord.
How many schools are there in Thunder Bay?
All 44 sit within the town’s own boundary.
Sources: Ontario Ministry of Education, School Information Finder 2024–25 and school contact list (Open Government Licence – Ontario) · map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).