Schools in Forest Hill

Forest Hill is one of Toronto's most sought-after family neighborhoods, known for its gracious tree-lined streets, heritage homes, and deep commitment to education. Located between Eglinton Avenue and St. Clair, bounded by Bathurst and Avenue Road, it was an independent village until 1967 and retains a distinct sense of community identity. Families are drawn here by the concentration of top-tier schools and a quiet residential atmosphere that feels distinctly separate from the surrounding city.

The neighborhood's education credentials are exceptional. Upper Canada College, founded in 1829, is one of Canada's most prestigious independent schools for boys, occupying a sprawling campus in the heart of Forest Hill. Bishop Strachan School, a leading all-girls institution, is nearby. Within the public system, Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School and Forest Hill Collegiate Institute are among the TDSB's highest-performing schools, regularly producing students who earn admission to competitive university programs. Several Hebrew day schools and private preparatory academies also call the neighborhood home, giving families a range of educational philosophies to choose from.

Green space is central to Forest Hill's appeal. The Belt Line Trail, a converted railway corridor, runs through the neighborhood and provides a safe, flat route for jogging, cycling, and walking to school. Cedarvale Park, a large ravine park on the western edge, features playing fields, a playground, a wading pool, and wooded trails. Memorial Park Garden offers a quieter setting for picnics and nature walks. The Forest Hill Public Library, a beautifully maintained branch, is a community hub with children's reading programs, coding workshops, and summer activities.

Transportation links serve Forest Hill well. The St. Clair West and Eglinton stations on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line bracket the neighborhood, and the new Eglinton Crosstown LRT will further enhance east-west connectivity. Several TTC bus routes run along the major north-south and east-west streets. For drivers, Allen Road provides a direct connection to Highway 401 and the broader highway network, making suburban and airport commutes straightforward.

Housing in Forest Hill consists primarily of detached single-family homes, ranging from Tudor-style residences to modernist renovations. Prices typically start around two and a half million dollars and climb well into the eight-figure range for the largest properties. Some condominium and townhouse developments along St. Clair offer a more accessible entry point. The cost of living is high, consistent with the neighborhood's affluent demographic, but families benefit from low crime rates, meticulously maintained public infrastructure, and a strong property-value trajectory.

Families choose Forest Hill because it delivers on its core promise: an environment where education comes first. The density of excellent schools, the safety of its residential streets, and the abundance of green space create ideal conditions for raising children. Whether families opt for the prestige of Upper Canada College or the strong performance of the local public schools, Forest Hill offers an educational ecosystem that few neighborhoods in Canada can rival.