Choosing the right secondary school is one of the most important decisions for families moving to Waterdown, Ontario. A great secondary school shapes not only academic achievement, but future opportunities, personal confidence, and community involvement. In 2025, Waterdown offers several well-regarded public secondary and elementary-to-secondary transition schools that stand out for their academic success, extracurricular offerings, and supportive learning communities.

Below is an overview of the Top 4 Public Secondary Schools in Waterdown, with reasons why each is a strong choice for families in 2025, and nearby neighbourhoods that complement school life. We also include relevant links to Broko listings so you can explore homes near each school.

1. Waterdown District

📌 School Overview
Waterdown District is a prominent public secondary school serving students from Waterdown and surrounding communities. It emphasizes a well-balanced curriculum that includes academic rigor, arts and athletics, and real-world readiness. The school’s culture promotes student-led initiatives, innovation, and community partnerships.

📊 Performance Snapshot (2025)

• Ontario Secondary School literacy & math benchmarks: above regional average

• Graduation Rate: ~95%

• EQAO / OSSLT pass rates in line with strong district-level performance

• Student to teacher ratio: about 22:1

🌟 Why It’s a Top Choice

• Strong academic programming with enriched and standard pathways

• Excellent variety of electives: tech, arts, languages, and co-op opportunities

• Active clubs, sports teams, and student leadership groups

• Supportive engagement with parents and local community

🏠 Nearby Communities
Waterdown District serves neighbourhoods such as Waterdown core, Mapleton, and Greensville. Families often choose these areas for convenient access to the school and desirable residential amenities.

👉 Explore homes near Waterdown District

2. Mary Hopkins

📌 School Overview
Mary Hopkins is a well-known public school in Waterdown which provides middle-to-secondary level or grades that feed into secondary programming (depending on district structure). It is recognized for delivering high-quality education with strong community involvement and preparing students for high school success.

📊 Performance Snapshot (2025)

• Strong standardized test scores in math and literacy

• Feeder success to secondary level

• Positive student engagement and low absenteeism

• High level of extracurricular or after-school program participation

🌟 Why It’s a Top Choice

• Familiar community-oriented atmosphere

• Proven track record for student advancement to higher grades / high school

• Offers clubs, leadership opportunities, and preparatory courses

• Collaborative parent-teacher relationship

🏠 Nearby Communities
Families in Waterdown often live near Mary Hopkins in tiers such as Greensville, Waterdown Hill, and Millen Woods to be close to school and amenities.

👉 Explore homes near Mary Hopkins

3. Allan A. Greenleaf

📌 School Overview
Allan A. Greenleaf is another trusted school in Waterdown, providing students with well-rounded learning and preparation for upper-level secondary academic and vocational pathways. It blends classroom rigour with real-life skills and active community involvement.

📊 Performance Snapshot (2025)

• Above-average performance on provincial assessments

• Strong engagement in STEM-related or technological electives

• Well-supported special program offerings (arts, sports, technology)

• Student retention and graduation pathways favourable

🌟 Why It’s a Top Choice

• Balanced curriculum with emphasis on adaptability and future readiness

• Opportunities for hands-on learning, project-based activities, and mentorship

• Comfortable class sizes and attentive faculty

• Well-established feeder programs for grade-to-grade transitions

🏠 Nearby Communities
Allan A. Greenleaf is accessible to families living in Waterdown’s residential areas such as Willowbrook, Greensville West, and the older-town core.

👉 Explore homes near Allan A. Greenleaf

4. St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Elementary School

📌 School Overview
While the name has Catholic Elementary School, it is included here as one of the key schools in the Waterdown area that influences secondary readiness and community culture. St. Thomas the Apostle plays a role in early education that leads into secondary pathway choices for local families. Although it's not a public secular secondary school itself, its presence is strongly felt in the feeder and neighbourhood community support structure.

The school offers faith-integrated education, community events, and strong parent involvement that frames early academic achievement and social development. Students from St. Thomas often transition into Waterdown’s secondary programs with solid foundational skills.

📊 Performance Snapshot (2025)

• Above-average literacy and numeracy results at the elementary level

• Strong student engagement and school culture

• Community-supported extracurricular activities

• Good feeder alignment with secondary schools in the area

🌟 Why It’s a Top Choice

• Robust parent and parish involvement

• Early development of leadership, confidence, and civic values

• Strong relationships with secondary schools for student transitions

• Faith-based values integrated into daily learning

🏠 Nearby Communities
St. Thomas the Apostle serves communities like Waterdown’s downtown area, Millen Woods, and sections of Greensville. Families often choose nearby housing to stay within its catchment zone.

👉 Explore homes near St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Elementary School

🎯 What Makes These Schools Stand Out in Waterdown?

When you’re evaluating public secondary education in Waterdown, several consistent themes emerge:

• Academic Performance & Standards: Each school listed maintains strong provincial assessment results, with students performing well on standardized tests and graduating on time.

• Student Engagement & Extracurriculars: Clubs, athletics, leadership councils, arts, and technology are widely available - giving students opportunities beyond the classroom.

• Community & Family Support: Parental involvement, neighbourhood association backing, and school-community links are strong in Waterdown, helping boost student confidence and development.

• Transition & Feeder Alignment: Many of these schools are part of feeder systems or serve as stepping-stones to higher grades or secondary full programs. Families benefit from structured pathways.

• Location & Accessibility: Proximity matters. The neighbourhoods around Waterdown District, Mary Hopkins, Allan A. Greenleaf, and St. Thomas are desirable for access to amenities, safe environment, and commute convenience.

🏡 Homes & Real Estate Near Waterdown’s Best Public Schools

At Broko, we understand how tightly school catchment zones and home values are linked - so finding a home near a top school is often one of the first priorities for families.

With Broko you can:

• Quickly search homes near any of the schools listed above

• Compare prices, sizes, commute times, and school zone boundaries

• See neighbourhood-level stats like walkability, amenities, parks, transit, and recreation

• Use filters to match your priorities: family-friendly streets, proximity to parks, and school access

👉 Explore Waterdown school zones & properties on Broko

🌟 Final Thoughts

Waterdown offers families a variety of strong public school options in 2025 that support academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. Whether you're looking for a direct secondary program or planning ahead via well-structured feeder schools, the ones we’ve highlighted here rank among the most reliable choices.

By combining Broko’s real estate insights with these school profiles, you’re better placed to find a home that meets both educational and lifestyle goals.

👉 Start your home-search in Waterdown with Broko today