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EQAO scores improving in all areas for UCDSB students

Emily Wright
UCDSB students studying for the EQAO assessments, 2025. Photo via UCDSB website.

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) has seen an increase in EQAO scores in reading, writing, and math for Grade 3, Grade 6, Grade 9, and the Ontario Secondary School Literary Test (OSSLT).

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments provide a province-wide measure of student achievement, according to a UCDSB press release, issued on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

The test results help school boards understand how well students are meeting Ontario’s academic expectations. The data offers insight into progress, highlights strong areas, and helps guide ongoing efforts to support student learning.

“The results we are seeing from our students are directly connected to the support they are receiving in the classroom and at home. Our staff have put in an incredible amount of work to implement new practices and provide more classroom support, and our families are getting more involved,” said Chair of the Board, Jamie Schoular.

“As a former teacher and principal, I know how hard it can be to adopt new practices and get students to focus on the fundamentals, but our educators are doing it and it’s working… I want to thank our educators for their efforts, and our families for making this learning a priority.”

UCDSB has been working to emphasize the link between the EQAO assessments and curriculum expectations, and to support the integration of EQAO-style practice into classroom instruction, according to the release.

Results in graph represent the percentage of UCDSB students who achieved the provincial standard—a Level 3 or at least 70 per cent—on the annual EQAO assessments. Image via USDCB.

Grade 3 UCDSB students exceeded the provincial average in every assessed area and recorded the most significant gains in the 2025-26 EQAO assessments. Achievement in math increased to 69 per cent and writing increased to 71 per cent, both showing an increase of seven per cent. Reading also increased by six per cent to reach a 77 per cent average.

Results in graph represent the percentage of UCDSB students who achieved the provincial standard—a Level 3 or at least 70 per cent—on the annual EQAO assessments. Image via USDCB.

“Our focus has been clear: ensure students are reading, writing and doing math at grade level. By concentrating on the fundamentals, our educators have helped create stronger learning outcomes for students across our school district,” said CEO of UCDSB, Ron Ferguson.

Results in graph represent the percentage of UCDSB students who achieved the provincial standard—a Level 3 or at least 70 per cent—on the annual EQAO assessments. Image via USDCB.

“We are encouraged to see this progress, but we recognize that there is still work to do. Our staff will continue to be unwavering in our commitment to improving student outcomes,” Ferguson added.

Results in graph represent the percentage of UCDSB students who achieved the provincial standard—a Level 3 or at least 70 per cent—on the annual EQAO assessments. Image via USDCB.

The UCDSB shared they will continue to strengthen teacher capacity in instruction, provide additional classroom resources, and offer system-level support to improve student outcomes.

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