Student Census 2025

At the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), we believe our Catholic schools should be the heart of the community, where every student feels they belong and can succeed. It’s important for us to regularly assess how well we’re achieving this vision.

Why are we launching a Student Census at WCDSB?

The Student Census is an online survey designed to gather important data about students’ self-identity, demographics, and experiences at school. It includes questions related to Indigenous identity, ethnic and cultural background, racial identity, citizenship status, religious or spiritual affiliation, gender at birth and gender identity, sexual orientation, disabilities, household characteristics, and school experiences.

Our approach aligns with the guidance and legislation provided by the Ministry of Education, the Anti-Racism Directorate, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

The WCDSB’s role is to support this census process for students and to effectively utilize the information gathered. This census provides an opportunity to better understand the students we serve and to identify differences and gaps in their experiences and outcomes, helping us to address their diverse needs.

If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information related to the WCDSB Student Census, please reach out to your school administrator or contact the WCDSB Privacy, Records, and Information Management Officer at privacy@wcdsb.ca.

Notice of Collection of Personal Information

  • To comply with the Anti-Racism Act in s.7(2), the WCDSB is required to conduct a Student Census aimed at eliminating systemic racism and promoting racial equity.
  • The authority to collect personal information in the Student Census comes from the Anti-Racism Act (ARA s.6(5)), the Education Act (265(1)(d), 169.1(1) and 169.2) in accordance with Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA s.28(2)).
  • Personal information collected in the Student Census will be combined with personal information already held by the Board in our student information system.
  • The types of information already collected under the Education Act (s. 169.1(1) and 169.2)). The purpose for combining Student Census and existing personal data already collected is to meet the requirements of the Anti-Racism Act, which include conducting research, performing long-term studies, and ensuring that the Board can allocate resources effectively to meet strategic goals and support student success.
  • Participation in the WCDSB Student Census is voluntary, and no program, service, or benefit will be withheld if a student chooses not to participate.
  • Individuals have the right to request access to, or correction of, their personal information collected in the Student Census. While you can withdraw consent for the future use of your personal information, any analysis or reporting already completed will remain unchanged.
  • If you have any questions about the personal information collected in the Student Census, please contact the WCDSB Research Coordinator at research@wcdsb.ca or the WCDSB Privacy Records and Information Management Officer at privacy@wcdsb.ca.

The WCDSB Student Census is a confidential and voluntary survey for all students in Grades 4 to 12. Its purpose is to help eliminate systemic racism and promote racial equity within the WCDSB, as required by the Anti-Racism Act. Students will complete the survey during class time with the help of their classroom teacher. The census will provide valuable insights into the diverse cultural, social, and demographic makeup of students. Participation is entirely voluntary, and no student will lose access to any program, service, or benefit if they choose not to participate.

If you have any questions or concerns about the WCDSB Student Census, please contact your school administrator.

The WCDSB is required by law to protect the privacy and personal information of students. The Student Census complies with all provincial freedom of information and privacy laws, as well as the Anti-Racism Act. Only designated WCDSB staff, such as those in Research & Data Services, will have access to the data, and only for research purposes. Teachers, principals, and other staff members will not have access to individual student data. Reports will only contain aggregated data without personal identifiers and will be published on board websites, following Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) guidelines.

In addition to the Student Census data, the WCDSB collects other information about students as part of its responsibility under the Education Act and the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. This data includes achievement of learning outcomes (e.g., EQAO), preparation of students for future success (e.g., graduation), and student engagement and well-being (e.g., attendance). This information is used for improvement planning at both the board and school levels.

If you have any questions about the additional information collected, please contact your school administrator.

Yes. Under the Anti-Racism Act, the WCDSB is required to link Student Census responses with other student data (e.g., student achievement, graduation rates, and attendance) to identify and monitor systemic racism and racial disparities. Only select members of the WCDSB Research Department will have access to data that links a student’s identity to their responses, and this will only be used for data analysis purposes. No other staff will be able to link student identities with survey responses.

If you would like to see how these results have been used in the past, you can explore the public reports from our last Student Census in 2021. These reports are available on the Student Census Outcomes (2021-2022) webpage.

For general questions about the Student Census, please contact your school administrator.

Yes. If your child has a cognitive or physical challenge that makes it difficult for them to participate, you can contact the school administrator to arrange for a parent or guardian to complete the census on the child’s behalf.

Participation in the WCDSB Student Census is voluntary. Students may choose to skip questions, stop participating at any time, or not participate at all. Parents/guardians of students under 18 years old can also request an exemption for their child. Information on how to request an exemption has been shared through school newsletters, the WCDSB website, and social media. Parents/guardians can submit an exemption request in one of the following ways:

  1. Online: You may ask for an exemption electronically by completing this online opt-out form.
  2. Contact your child’s school Administrator: You may ask for an exemption by contacting your child’s school administrator (by phone or by email) and the school staff can complete the exemption electronically by completing this online opt-out form on the parent/guardian’s behalf.

Parents/guardians have until March 5, 2025, to request an exemption. If no exemption request is made, students will be invited to participate during class time.

For more information, please contact the WCDSB Research Coordinator at research@wcdsb.ca or your school administrator.

Yes. Participation in the Student Census is entirely voluntary. Students can choose whether to complete the survey, and they can skip questions or stop participating at any time.

If you or your child would like to access, correct, or withdraw consent for the data collected after the census is completed, please contact the WCDSB Research Coordinator at research@wcdsb.ca.

The Student Census will be conducted using the secure Qualtrics online survey platform. A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) has been conducted by the WCDSB Privacy, Records, and Information Management Officer, as well as the WCDSB Research Coordinator, to ensure compliance with privacy and security standards. The Research & Data Services Department has implemented a data management plan that follows board policies, MFIPPA, and the Anti-Racism Act. All identifiable data will be stored on encrypted servers, accessible only through password-protected devices with role-based restrictions. Data will be securely disposed of in accordance with the WCDSB Records Retention Schedule.

To review the Privacy Impact Assessment, contact privacy@wcdsb.ca.

For more details about data security and privacy, please contact the WCDSB Privacy, Records, and Information Management Officer at privacy@wcdsb.ca.

All WCDSB students in Grades 4 to 12 are invited to participate in the Student Census, which will be conducted online during class time using school devices. Accommodations are available for students, including:

  • Paper Survey – If a student requires a paper copy of the survey to participate, please contact your school administrator to make arrangements.
  • Languages – The survey will be available in English and translated into the following languages: Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), French, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. If another language is needed, please contact your school administrator.
  • Text to Speech – Online survey is compatible with Google Read & Write.
  • Support Staff – Educational assistants, child and youth workers, special education staff, and ESL support staff will be available to assist students who regularly receive support with completing the survey. They will ensure the student’s privacy is protected.

For any additional accommodation requests, please contact your school administrator.