Fraser Institute: School Rankings

The Fraser Institute is a Canadian think tank that publishes annual school rankings, particularly for elementary and secondary schools in provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Schools are ranked mainly based on standardized test performance and trends over time, producing a numeric score and ranking list. These are intended as a “comparison tool” for parents but are often debated in education circles for being too narrow and lacking context.

What They Do

• The Fraser Institute releases a “Report Card” each year ranking schools (public and independent) based on standardized test results and other academic indicators.

• The rankings are presented as a way for parents to compare schools’ performance.

  
  

How They Rank Schools

• Data Source: Standardized provincial test results - Foundation Skills Assessment in BC).

• Indicators Used:

  • Average exam scores in key subjects (reading, writing, math, science).

  • Gender gap performance (differences between boys’ and girls’ results).

  • Trends in performance over the past five years (improving, stable, or declining).

  • The proportion of tests below provincial standards.

• Scoring: Schools are given a score out of 10 and then ranked relative to other schools.

• Comparisons: Rankings often highlight “improving” schools (those with rising scores), regardless of their absolute position.

If you're interested to see how schools rank in your area or school district, visit the website: https://www.compareschoolrankings.org/