Neeraj Moolchandani is a top real estate agent in Markham, Ontario.

Neeraj and the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the teams Markham parents often trust with their search, know that school is often the first filter. This guide focuses on the practical side: getting there, staying there, and making sure the school you want is the school you get. For which Markham schools families ask about most, and how catchments affect price, see Markham homes near top schools.

Step 1: Confirm the Address

• Use the school board's online school locator with the exact street address, not just the neighbourhood.
• Check both the public board and the Catholic board if both are options for your family.
• Call the school and ask whether it has an enrolment cap, sometimes called a hold and redirect, that could send new students to another school.
• Ask whether a boundary review is planned.
• Keep a screenshot or email confirmation with your purchase records.

Step 2: Understand Bus Eligibility

Living close to a school is great, but it can also mean no bus. Public school board (YRDSB) policy sets these distances for transportation eligibility:

Source: YRDSB Policy and Procedure 680.0, Student Transportation. The Catholic board has its own rules. Confirm current eligibility for the address.

The policy also aims to keep bus stops within about 400 metres for elementary students and 600 metres for secondary students. Programs like French immersion may have different transportation rules.

Step 3: Walk the Route

If your child will walk, try the route yourself at school time.

• Does it cross a major road such as Highway 7, Kennedy Road, or 16th Avenue?
• Are there crossing guards and traffic lights at busy corners?
• Are there sidewalks the whole way?
• How does it feel in winter, when sidewalks may not be cleared yet?
• Is there a park path or shortcut that is safe in daylight but less so in the dark?

Step 4: Plan Before and After School

• Ask whether the school has before and after school care on site, and how long the waitlist is.
• Check how far the home is from activities like swimming, music, or tutoring.
• Think about who will handle pick up on busy days, and how long that trip takes.

Step 5: Look Ahead

Your child will move from elementary to middle to high school. Check the full path for the address, not just the first school. Some specialized programs, like International Baccalaureate or arts programs, take applications from across the city, which can open up more neighbourhoods and price ranges.

Many families find value by looking at the edges of a popular catchment, where homes can cost less but still fall within the same school zone. Always verify.

Step 6: Protect Yourself in the Offer

School zones are set by the board and can change. No seller or agent can promise a school. Do your checks before the offer, and talk with Neeraj about how to time your purchase around registration deadlines and the school year. Our family neighbourhood guide can help you shortlist areas.