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  • Writer's pictureJen Bedard

Which School is right for my child? A Guide to the Schools in the Niagara Region

Updated: Apr 30, 2023


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Choosing the right school for your children is top priority for many families. The Niagara Region offers a diverse range of schools, from public and Catholic schools to private and French immersion schools, and even schools catering to different ethnicities. In this article, I will provide you with a comprehensive list of schools.


1. St. Catharines is the largest city in the Niagara Region and is home to a variety of schools catering to different needs.


Public Schools: St. Catharines has several public elementary and secondary schools. A few of the schools are:

  • Westdale Public School: This school offers a French immersion program and has a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education.

  • Oakridge Public School: This school offers a gifted program for students in grades 4 to 8 and has a focus on technology and engineering.

  • Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School: This school offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) program for students in grades 9 to 12.

Catholic Schools: St. Catharines also has a strong Catholic school system, which includes both elementary and secondary schools. Here are a few:

  • St. Francis Catholic Elementary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Denis Morris Catholic High School: This school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music programs, and a drama club.

  • Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School: This school offers an Advanced Placement (AP) program for students in grades 9 to 12.


Ridley College Soccer Practice

St. Catharines also has a private school:

  • Ridley College: This school offers a co-educational boarding and day school program for students from JK to grade 12.

St. Catharines has schools catering to different ethnicities, including:

  • Niagara Islamic School: This school offers an Islamic education program for students from JK to grade 8.

French Schools:

  • Immaculée-Conception (French) Catholic Elementary School

  • Elementary School Catholic Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys

2. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a picturesque town located in the heart of the Niagara Region. It is known for its vineyards, wineries, and historic sites.


Public Schools: Niagara-on-the-Lake has two public elementary schools and one public secondary school:

  • Niagara-on-the-Lake Public School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Niagara District Secondary School: This school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music programs, and a drama club.


historic school in naiagara-on-the-lake

Catholic Schools: Niagara-on-the-Lake has one Catholic elementary school:

  • St. Michael Catholic Elementary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

Private Schools: Niagara-on-the-Lake has one private school:

  • Niagara Christian Community of Schools: This school offers a Christian education program for students

3. Welland is a city located in the southern part of the Niagara Region. It is home to a variety of schools catering to different needs.


Public Schools: Welland has several public elementary and secondary schools. A few are named below:

  • Eastdale Secondary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Princess Elizabeth Public School: This school offers a Gifted Program for students in grades 4 to 8.

  • Quaker Road Public School: This school offers a STEAM program for students in grades 4 to 8.

Catholic Schools: Welland also has a strong Catholic school system, which includes both elementary and secondary schools. Here are a few:

  • St. Mary Catholic Elementary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Notre Dame College School: This school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music programs, and a drama club.

  • Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School: This school offers an AP program for students in grades 9 to 12.


French schools in Niagara

French Schools: Welland is home to the only French high schools in the Niagara Regions. There are French public and catholic elementary schools located in Welland as well, Including:

4. Niagara Falls is a city located in the northern part of the Niagara Region. It is known for its breathtaking waterfalls and tourism industry.


Public Schools: Niagara Falls has a plethora of public elementary and secondary schools. The following are a few options:

  • Prince Philip Public School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Stamford Collegiate Secondary School: This school offers a Gifted Program for students in grades 9 to 12.

  • Orchard Park Secondary School: This school offers a STEAM program for students in grades 9 to 12.


St. Michael Catholic High School

Catholic Schools: Niagara Falls also has a strong Catholic school system, which includes both elementary and secondary schools. Here are a few:

  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Elementary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Saint Michael Catholic High School: This school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music programs, and a drama club.

  • Saint Paul Catholic Elementary School: This school offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program for students in grades JK to 8.

Private Schools: Niagara Falls also has a couple private schools, including:

  • Great Lakes Christian High School: This school offers a Christian education program for students in grades 9 to 12.

  • Niagara Centre Academy: This school offers a Montessori education program for students from toddler to grade 8.

5. Grimsby is a town located in the west end of the Niagara Region, near Lake Ontario. It has a few schools that offer different programs.


Public Schools: Grimsby has public elementary schools and one public high school, including:

  • West Niagara Secondary School: it has a student body of approximately 700 year-to-year.

  • Central French Immersion Public School

  • Nelles Public School: This school offers a STEAM program for students in grades 4 to 8.


Blessed Trinity Catholic High School

Catholic Schools: Grimsby also has a Catholic school system, which includes both elementary and secondary schools, including:

  • Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Elementary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School: This school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music programs, and a drama club.

Private Schools: Grimsby also has a private school available to its residents in nearby Jordan:

  • Heritage Christian School: This school offers a Christian education program for students in grades JK to 8.

6. Beamsville is a town located in the east end of the Niagara Region. It has a few schools that offer different programs.


Public Schools: Beamsville has a few public elementary schools and one public high school, including:

  • Senator Gibson Public School: This school offers a Gifted Program for students in grades 4 to 8.

Catholic Schools: Beamsville also has a Catholic school system:

  • Our Lady of Victory Catholic Elementary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

Beamsville has one private school:

  • Great Lakes Christian College: This school offers a Christian education program for students in grades JK to 12.

7. Thorold is a city located in the central part of the Niagara Region. It has a few schools that offer different programs.


Public Schools: Thorold has public elementary schools and one public high school, including:

  • Thorold Secondary School: This school offers a French immersion program.

  • Richmond Street Public School: This school offers a Gifted Program for student grades 4 to 8.

Catholic Schools: Thorold also has a Catholic school system:

  • Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School: This school offers a French immersion program.


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The Niagara Region is also home to the only Military-inspired private boarding school in Canada. Robert Land Academy is a private boarding school that specializes in helping boys with learning disabilities or who need a structured, distraction-free environment to reach their potential. Their program has a proven track record in providing academic remediation, university admission support, and the development of self-care, self-discipline, and self-direction skills necessary for successful adulthood. The academy is located in a rural area, providing a distraction-free environment by prohibiting cell phones, computer games, personal laptops, personal computer access, and social media. They also promote physical activity and social skills development through team sports and provide nutritionally balanced meals and regular self-care routines.


In conclusion, the Niagara Region offers a wide range of schools catering to diverse needs, including public and Catholic schools, private schools, and schools catering to different ethnicities, as well as many schools that were not listed here. By choosing the right school for your children, you can ensure that they receive the education and experiences they need to succeed. As a professional and experienced realtor in the Niagara Region, I can help you find the right neighbourhood and school for your family's needs.

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