York Catholic Schools Lead Province in Academic Assessments

Students from the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) have surpassed provincial averages across all areas of academic testing, according to the latest results from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).

In a recent statement, John De Faveri, the interim director of education for YCDSB, expressed pride in the accomplishments of both students and staff. “We are always looking for ways to provide a better school experience, but today is a time to celebrate our students and staff for their excellent academic achievement,” he said. De Faveri also emphasized the importance of mathematical literacy, noting the board’s improvements in this area.

The results highlight that 69 percent of YCDSB Grade 3 students met or exceeded provincial standards in mathematics, compared to the provincial average of 61 percent. In Grade 3 reading, 78 percent of students achieved the standard, surpassing the provincial average of 71 percent. Similarly, in writing, YCDSB students scored 73 percent, ahead of the 64 percent provincial rate.

In Grade 6, mathematics results showed 60 percent for YCDSB compared to the province’s 50 percent, while reading and writing results were 89 and 90 percent, respectively, surpassing the provincial averages of 82 and 80 percent. For Grade 9 mathematics, YCDSB noted a 70 percent success rate versus 54 percent provincially. Additionally, 89 percent of Grade 10 students passed the OSSLT, slightly higher than the 85 percent provincial pass rate.

According to Elizabeth Crowe, chair of the board of trustees, these outcomes are a testament to York Catholic’s commitment to educational excellence. “EQAO results are just one of the ways we see how York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement,” Crowe noted. She reiterated the board’s dedication to fostering success in every student.

Participation rates for the assessments were notably high, with 97 percent of Grade 3, 98 percent of Grade 6, and 93 percent of Grade 9 students taking part in their respective tests. In addition, 97 percent of eligible students attempted the OSSLT, which is a requirement for graduation.

Further information on the 2024 EQAO and OSSLT results, including individual school details, can be found on the Education Quality and Accountability Office’s official website.