Student Performance Declines in Ontario’s English Schools: EQAO Results

Results released by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) on December 3 indicate that students in the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) continue to face significant challenges across various subjects. The tests assessed Grade 3, 6, and 9 students in mathematics, reading, and writing, alongside the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) for Grade 10 students.

The UCDSB reported on December 4 that it was the only board in Ontario to record improvements in all test categories for the second consecutive year. Ron Ferguson, Director of Education, attributed this success to a focused approach on fundamental skills, stating, “Our school board has been focusing on the fundamentals and working hard to get students reading, writing, and doing math at grade level.”

Examining the data reveals a mixed picture. For instance, Laggan Public School saw improvements in Grade 3 mathematics scores, which rose from 52 percent to 58 percent of students meeting or exceeding provincial standards. However, the same school experienced declines in Grade 3 reading, which fell from 88 percent to 81 percent, and Grade 6 mathematics, dropping dramatically from 44 percent to 24 percent.

The situation at Maxville Public School was less clear, as data for the previous year was not available. In 2024-2025, 80 percent of Grade 6 mathematics students met or exceeded standards, down from 91 percent in reading and 100 percent in writing. This disparity underscores the variability in performance among schools.

At Pleasant Corners Public School, results mirrored the trend of decline. The scores for Grade 3 mathematics dropped from 94 percent to 75 percent, while Grade 3 reading skills fell from 97 percent to 89 percent. The only improvement was in Grade 6 writing, which increased from 86 percent to 91 percent.

At Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI), Grade 9 mathematics scores decreased from 38 percent to 35 percent, and the OSSLT success rate also fell from 81 percent to 71 percent. Glengarry District High School showed a similar pattern, with Grade 9 mathematics scores declining from 68 percent to 59 percent, though its OSSLT results improved from 83 percent to 86 percent.

The CDSBEO also reported troubling trends. At St. Jude Catholic School, Grade 3 mathematics scores plummeted from 55 percent to just 22 percent of students meeting provincial standards in 2024-2025. Additionally, Grade 3 reading and writing scores experienced similar declines, reaching 35 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

Results at St. Finnan’s Catholic School presented a mixed bag. Grade 3 mathematics, reading, and writing scores were unavailable for the previous year, but the latest results showed 82 percent in mathematics, 91 percent in reading, and 82 percent in writing. While Grade 6 writing improved from 90 percent to 100 percent, Grade 6 reading dropped from 100 percent to 83 percent.

Overall, the EQAO results highlight ongoing struggles for students in the affected school boards. The detailed assessment data can be accessed through the EQAO assessment data tool on their official website. As schools continue to adapt their teaching strategies, stakeholders are closely monitoring these developments, seeking effective measures to enhance student performance in the coming years.