For families buying a home

Schools in London, Ontario: a home buyer's guide

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London's school boards at a glance

London also has independent and private schools, which have their own admissions processes and fees and aren't tied to where you live.

The three questions to answer before you make an offer

1. Which schools is this address designated to? Check each relevant board's school locator tool, for elementary and secondary, and for any program you want, such as French Immersion.
2. Is a boundary review underway or planned? New subdivisions and new schools can change boundaries. Board websites post accommodation and boundary reviews.
3. Is the school at or over capacity? Some growing areas have schools with portables, or students temporarily attending a school farther away until a new one opens.

Why it matters for your purchase

School boundaries affect more than where your kids go. In many cities, homes within certain boundaries are in higher demand, which can affect price and how quickly homes sell. In London, as elsewhere, families often focus their search on particular school areas. Knowing the boundaries helps you:

• Avoid falling for a home that's on the "wrong" side of a boundary for your family.
• Spot homes that meet your school needs at a better price, just across a line from a more popular area.
• Plan for the future: elementary, then secondary, and specialized programs.

Beyond test scores

A good school for your child isn't only about rankings. Think about the walk or bus ride, before- and after-school care, specialized programs, support for learning needs, extracurriculars, and where your child's friends will go. Our page on reading school rankings suggests what to look at and ask.

Thinking ahead to high school

If your children are young, it's easy to focus only on the elementary school. But the secondary school matters too, and families often stay in the same home through both. Check which secondary school each elementary school feeds into, what programs it offers, and how students get there. A home that works for both stages can save you a second move later.

Moving from out of town?

If you're relocating from the GTA or elsewhere, contact the board early about registration and records transfer. Our sister site Toronto to London has a full relocation timeline, including when to register for school.

A step-by-step plan for families

1. Decide what matters: public or Catholic, French Immersion or not, walkability, programs.
2. Shortlist neighbourhoods using our family neighbourhoods guide.
3. Look up sample addresses in each board's school locator to see which schools serve each area.
4. Visit schools or attend information nights if you can.
5. Search for homes within the boundaries you've chosen, and confirm the designation for each specific home before you make an offer.
6. Register once your purchase is firm.

Kids with additional needs

If your child has an Individual Education Plan, receives special education support, or has medical needs at school, contact the board before you move. Ask how support is provided at the designated school, whether specialized classes are at a different location, and how records are transferred. Early conversations make the transition smoother.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026