Chapter 2

Public vs Catholic schools in London

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

Ontario funds both public and Catholic school systems. In London, that means two English-language boards, each with its own schools, boundaries and programs. Here's how they compare and what to consider when buying a home.

The two English-language boards

Both boards follow the Ontario curriculum. Catholic schools also include religious education and faith formation.

Eligibility

Public schools are open to all students who live within the board's area. Catholic boards have their own admission policies, which have traditionally related to Catholic baptism or family support for the Catholic system, especially at the elementary level. Admission to Catholic secondary schools is generally open more broadly. Policies differ and change, so check the LDCSB's current admission requirements directly.

"School support" on your property tax

Each property owner in Ontario is designated as a supporter of one of the school systems: English public, English Catholic, French public or French Catholic. This is recorded with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). A few key points:

• The education portion of your property tax is set by the province and is the same rate regardless of which system you support.
• Your designation affects things like school board trustee elections, and it's related to eligibility for some Catholic or French-language schools.
• You can update your school support designation through MPAC when you buy a home.

Boundaries differ by board

The public and Catholic boards draw their own boundaries. A home might be close to a public school but designated to a Catholic school a little farther away, or the other way round. If you're considering both systems, look up the address in both boards' locators. See how school boundaries work.

How families choose

Families weigh a mix of factors:

• Faith and values: for Catholic families, a faith-based education may be the priority.
• The specific schools: comparing the actual designated schools, their programs and culture, rather than the systems in the abstract.
• Programs: French Immersion availability and location, special education supports, arts, sports, and secondary specializations.
• Logistics: walking distance, busing, before- and after-school care, and where siblings will attend.
• Continuity: which secondary school the elementary school feeds into.

French-language boards

London is also served by two French-language boards: Conseil scolaire Viamonde (public) and Conseil scolaire catholique Providence (Catholic). These are different from French Immersion. See French Immersion and French schools.

Private and independent schools

London has a number of independent and private schools, including faith-based and alternative-education schools. They set their own admissions and tuition and aren't tied to your address, so if you plan to use one, school boundaries matter less, though commute and transportation still do.

What this means when you buy

• Decide which system(s) you'd consider before you start searching.
• Check designated schools in each relevant board for every home on your shortlist.
• Update your school support designation with MPAC after closing if needed.
• Register your children with the board once you have a firm closing date and proof of address.

Switching systems later

Families sometimes move between systems, for example from Catholic elementary to public secondary, or the reverse. It's generally possible, subject to each board's admission policies and space. If you think you might switch, check where your child would attend in the other system from the same address.