What is the WRDSB Student Census?

The WRDSB Student Census initiative is a confidential and voluntary survey for WRDSB students between grades 4 and 12+ and parents/caregivers of students from Kindergarten to grade 3. The goal of the Student Census is to better understand the diverse identities and lived experiences of all WRDSB students to ensure that we continue to support academic achievement and wellbeing for all students.

Why do we have a Student Census?

The Student Census will help us to develop a profile of all students that will allow us to better understand and address the needs of all students in the WRDSB regardless of their identity or their background. The findings will also help the board to better align our programs and strategies to the needs of all students and families in our communities.

Identity-based student data collection is being undertaken by school boards across Ontario. The collection of identity-based student information is supported by the Education Act, The Anti-Racism Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. It is advocated for by the Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. As of 2023, the collection of identity-based student information in Ontario School Boards is regulated under the Anti-Racism Act and boards are required to apply the Data Standards for the Identification and Monitoring of Systemic Racism to collect identity-based student data.

The WRDSB is committed to ensuring we improve student achievement and wellbeing for all students. The data collected from the Student Census will help us to understand the diverse needs and lived experiences of WRDSB students and provide us with invaluable insights to help us to better support all students.

What questions will the Student Census ask?

The Census will include questions about students’ cultural, social, and sociodemographic identity. It specifically asks about First Nations, Inuit and Métis identity; ethnic/cultural background; racial identity; first language; nationality; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious affiliation; health/disability status; socioeconomic circumstances; age; and grade. The Census will also include a few questions related to student belonging, wellbeing, and engagement.

Read the entire WRDSB Student Census questionnaire.

The survey should take students and parents/caregivers 15-30 minutes to complete. Students will complete the Census with the support of classroom teachers at school, during designated classroom time (between March 25, 2026 and April 24, 2026).

Is the Student Census confidential?

The WRDSB Student Census is confidential and voluntary. WRDSB adheres to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and applies a variety of best practice guidelines for the protection of students’ personal information. No individual student information will be shared with anyone who does not need the information for the purposes of conducting research and preparing reports, unless required by law. Only members of the WRDSB Research Department and Information Technology Services staff (on an as needed basis) will have access to individual student responses. Reports prepared for the WRDSB and for the public will never include information that will allow individual students to be identified.

Data security and privacy is important to the WRDSB. Student responses to the Student Census will not be documented on their student record. However, their student ID and their WRDSB student email address will be used to create a de-identified data file that will allow the WRDSB to compare and contrast student identity data with existing student data. Data that will be linked to the Student Census results include: student achievement, credit accumulation, suspensions/expulsions, special education services, and academic/extra-curricular program participation.

The WRDSB Student Census process follows provincial freedom of information and privacy laws (i.e., Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, MFIPPA).

Detailed information on our privacy and data security protocols is available on the Student Census webpage.

How was the Student Census created?

The Student Census is aligned to the WRDSB Strategic Plan and our commitment to an organizational culture rooted in human rights and equity.

The Student Census is aligned with provincial legislation, including the Education Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Anti-Racism Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. It is also developed to adhere to guidelines developed by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Ontario Anti-Racism Directorate, and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

Members of the WRDSB Student Census Steering Committee reached out and engaged with with the WRDSB Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group, the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, the Parent Involvement Committee, School administrators, the Special Education Advisory Committee, Teacher representatives and the Waterloo Region Assembly of Public School Councils as part of our planning process. Additionally, WRDSB Student Trustees also led a consultation at a Student Roundtable as part of the development of the Student Census questionnaire and approach.

Opting out of the Student Census

Every question on the Student Census is optional. Every student will be informed that their participation is voluntary and they can choose which (if any) questions they wish to answer. Parents/caregivers of children under 18 years of age can request that their child not participate in the Student Census. For more information on how a parent/caregiver can have their child exempted from the Student Census please see the Student Census opt-out process. Once you have indicated that you would like your child to be exempted the WRDSB will ensure that this information is communicated to your child’s classroom teacher and your child will be given an activity to keep them engaged in the classroom while the Census is completed by other students.

More Questions?

For more questions about the WRDSB Student Census will involve and the importance of this initiative please visit the WRDSB Student Census page or contact research@wrdsb.ca.