St. Paul Catholic School is the highest-ranked Guelph elementary schools in this year's Report Card on Ontario’s Elementary Schools from the Fraser Institute.

Nearly 3,000 Ontario elementary schools were ranked. St. Paul ranked 62 out of 2,975 schools.

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy and educational organization with a stated mission to “improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their wellbeing.”

The rankings are based on nine indicators from EQAO results from Grade 3 and Grade 6 students. This includes writing, reading, mathematics and the difference in academic achievement between males and females in reading and mathematics. Another indicator is the percentage of EQAO assessments that didn’t meet the provincial standard.

Gateway Drive Public School is ranked the lowest of the Guelph elementary schools. It is 2,823 out of 2,975 Ontario schools.

“It doesn’t matter where a school is ranked, or what challenges its students may face. The evidence is clear – all types of schools, located all over the province with different types of students, are all capable of improvement,” said Peter Cowley, Fraser Institute senior fellow, in a press release.

There were 39 Guelph elementary schools ranked by the Fraser Institute. The top 10 are:

1. St. Paul Catholic School: 62/2,975
   
2. John McCrae Public School: 76/2,975
   
3. Rickson Ridge Public School: 137/2,975
   
4. Sir Isaac Brock Public School: 163/2,975
   
5. Westminster Woods Public School and Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School tied: 231/2,975
   
6. École Arbour Vista Public School and Edward Johnson Public School tied: 276/2,975
   
7. St. Patrick Catholic School: 321/2,975
   
8. Victory Public School and École King George Public School tied: 443/2,975
   
9. Ken Danby Public School: 486/2,975
   
10. St. Michael Catholic School: 532/2,975

The UGDSB provided the following statement:

"The Fraser Institute uses Education Quality & Accountability Office (EQAO) test results to calculate each school’s rating out of 10. While EQAO test results can provide useful information to improve schools’ learning programs, there are many factors that contribute to the strengths and overall effectiveness of a school.

The core focus of the UGDSB’s Multi-Year Plan (MYP) is Foundational Education and Student Achievement. Although EQAO scores are included in our analysis of foundational education, to get a more comprehensive picture more sources of information are required. 

To that end, the UGDSB is reporting on student achievement, in alignment with the Ministry’s Student Achievement Plan, in the following areas: EQAO and OSSLT results, graduation rates, credit accumulation at the end of grade 10, students enrolled in grade 11 or 12 science or grade 12 math courses, and students participating in at least one job skills program (Specialist High Skills Major, Dual Credit, or Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program).

Furthermore, the UGDSB will provide insight into student attendance (the percentage of students attending 90 per cent or more of the school year), and suspensions (the percentage of students in grades 4 - 12 who were suspended at least once).

Upper Grand DSB schools deliver a rich curriculum that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, environmental stewardship, and student success – among many other things.

The UGDSB has made significant investments in early literacy and math supports for students, as well as focused professional development for teachers. We have ambitious and attainable performance targets for students on EQAO.

UGDSB’s commitment to student success also includes identifying and addressing disparities, as well as the promotion and safeguarding of Human Rights across the system."