Families in Clearview Township have access to public and Catholic school boards, with elementary and secondary options in and around Stayner. The schools are generally well-regarded, class sizes are reasonable, and the rural setting gives kids a different experience than what they would get in a larger urban centre. Here is a practical overview.
Secondary School
Stayner Collegiate Institute
Stayner Collegiate Institute (SCI) is the local public high school, operated by the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB). It serves students from Stayner, Creemore, New Lowell, and the surrounding rural communities across Clearview Township.
SCI is a smaller high school by suburban standards. That has trade-offs. On the positive side, students get more individual attention from staff, and the school community is tight. Teachers tend to know every student by name. On the other hand, course selection is more limited than what you would find at a large Barrie or Collingwood high school. Specialized or niche courses may only run every other year or may not be offered at all. Students pursuing specific academic tracks sometimes supplement through online courses offered by the school board.
The school offers co-op placements with local businesses, which gives students practical work experience that is harder to arrange in larger, more bureaucratic schools. Athletic teams compete in the Georgian Bay Secondary School Athletic Association, and school spirit runs strong for a small school.
For Catholic secondary education, students in Clearview are typically directed to schools in Collingwood or Barrie under the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. This means a bus ride, but the transportation is provided.
Elementary Schools
Public Elementary (SCDSB)
The Simcoe County District School Board operates several elementary schools serving Clearview families:
- Stayner Public School: Located in Stayner, this is the primary public elementary option for families in town. It covers junior kindergarten through Grade 8.
- Creemore Public School: Serves the Creemore area with a similar JK to Grade 8 structure. Smaller enrollment gives it a community-school feel.
- New Lowell Central Public School: A small rural school serving New Lowell and the surrounding agricultural area.
- Nottawasaga-area schools: Depending on your exact address within Clearview, you may be directed to schools in adjacent municipalities. School boundaries in rural areas do not always follow township lines.
Catholic Elementary (SMCDSB)
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board operates Catholic elementary schools in the broader area. Families in Clearview who choose the Catholic system will typically have their children bused to the nearest Catholic school, which may be in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, or another nearby community depending on boundaries and capacity.
Catholic school enrollment requires a Catholic baptismal certificate for at least one parent or guardian, though policies on non-Catholic student admission vary. Contact the board directly for current enrollment requirements.
French Immersion
French immersion programs are available through the SCDSB, but not at every school. Availability in Clearview has varied over the years depending on enrollment numbers and staffing. As of recent years, early French immersion (starting in Grade 1) has been offered at select schools within reasonable busing distance.
If French immersion is a priority for your family, contact the SCDSB directly to confirm which schools are currently running the program and whether your address falls within the catchment. Rural demand can fluctuate, and programs occasionally shift between locations.
School Bus Transportation
School bus service across Clearview is managed by the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium, which coordinates busing for both the public and Catholic boards. Given the township's large geographic area and rural roads, bus rides can be long for students in outlying communities. A 45-minute bus ride each way is not unusual for students living in the more remote parts of Clearview.
Eligibility for bus service is distance-based. Students living beyond a set distance from their designated school (typically 1.6 km for elementary and 3.2 km for secondary) qualify for transportation. You can look up your specific route and eligibility on the consortium's website using your home address.
Winter weather affects bus schedules. Snow days and cancellations happen multiple times each winter. The consortium posts cancellations early in the morning via their website and local media. Parents in rural areas should have a backup plan for days when buses are cancelled but schools remain open.
Before and After School Care
Options for before and after school care in Clearview are limited. Some programs operate directly out of school buildings, typically run by third-party providers licensed through the County of Simcoe. Availability changes year to year, and spots fill quickly.
The Simcoe County childcare registry is the best starting point for finding licensed programs. Informal arrangements through neighbours, family, and community networks are common. Many families with two working parents piece together a schedule that combines formal programs with personal networks. It works, but it requires effort and flexibility. For more on childcare in the area, see our family life page.
Clearview Public Library: Educational Support
The Clearview Public Library system plays a bigger role in education than you might expect from a rural library. The three branches (Stayner, Creemore, and New Lowell) offer:
- Homework help resources and quiet study space
- Free computer and internet access, useful for students in areas with poor home internet
- STEM and coding programs during school breaks
- Summer reading programs that keep kids engaged between school years
- Access to digital resources, e-books, and online databases through the Simcoe County library network
Library staff are accustomed to supporting homeschooling families as well, of which there is a small but active community in the township.
Post-Secondary Access
There is no post-secondary institution in Clearview Township. The nearest option is Georgian College, which has its main campus in Barrie (about 35 minutes from Stayner) and a smaller campus in Collingwood (about 15 minutes). The Collingwood campus offers a limited selection of programs but is expanding. The Barrie campus is the full-service location with a wide range of diploma and degree programs.
For university, students from Clearview typically head to institutions in Barrie (Lakehead University's Orillia campus is about an hour), Guelph, Toronto, or elsewhere. Most students move away for university, which is standard for rural Ontario.
Georgian College does offer continuing education and part-time courses that appeal to adult learners and career changers, making it a practical resource for residents looking to upgrade skills without relocating.
Making It Work
Education in Clearview involves trade-offs familiar to anyone in rural Ontario. Schools are smaller, which means closer relationships but fewer specialized programs. Getting kids to activities, tutoring, or enrichment programs usually means driving. The community supports its schools strongly through parent councils, fundraising, and volunteer coaching.
For families coming from larger centres, the adjustment is mostly about expectations. The academic outcomes are solid. The social environment is healthy. The logistical effort to access everything you want is simply higher. Plan for that, and the education system here will serve your family well.
For a broader look at raising kids in the area, visit our family life in Clearview page, or explore the different communities of Clearview to find the right fit for your family.