Student Census FAQs

Questions and Answers about the Kindergarten to Grade 12 Student Census

The Student Census is important as it will help us better understand the impact of identity and students’ lived experiences on student learning, achievement, and well-being.

With this information, the board and schools will be able to:

  • Get to know our students better and understand their unique needs.

  • Plan programs and services that cater to their needs more effectively.

  • Take steps to reduce the disadvantages faced by some students.

  • Prioritize our resources by identifying where they are needed most.

  • Improve the way we allocate and distribute resources.

We encourage all students in Grade 6 to Grade 12 and parents of students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 to have their voices heard by completing the YCDSB Census.

The key difference between the two is that the Grade 6 to Grade 12 Student Census is completed by students during class time with their teacher, while the Kindergarten to Grade 5 Parent Census is completed by parents/guardians with their child(ren) at home.

The Student Census is a valuable tool for the board, schools, and communities to identify areas of success, areas of concern, and where support should be directed to support the success of all students.

Parents, guardians and caregivers of students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 and students in Grade 6 to Grade 12 will receive a personalized email link to complete the census. The data collected will help identify barriers to student learning and well-being in different communities and improve the educational experience of all students.

Use the links below to view a copy of the questions and explanations for why questions are asked about students’ first languages, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc.

Visit Student Census Reports for information on the 2021 Student Census.

For additional information about the Census, email census@ycdsb.ca

The Census is intended to be completed online.

The online platform that hosts the Student Census is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and is compatible with screen reading technology. Schools have been asked to provide accommodations, supports and assistive technology to ensure that all students have an opportunity to have their voices heard and have their unique experiences and perspectives reflected in the Student Census.

Parents/guardians who require/prefer a print copy of the Census are asked to email census@ycdsb.ca.

The Kindergarten to Grade 5 Parent Census includes questions about student well-being and sense of belonging, gender, religion, ethnicity, race, languages, nationality, and disability.

The Grade 6 to Grade 12 Student Census includes various questions including those about student well-being and sense of belonging, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, race, first languages, nationality, and disability.

Use the links below to view a copy of the questions and explanations for why questions are asked about students’ first languages, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc.

The Student Census is voluntary. All students are encouraged to answer as many questions as possible. However, if your child is not comfortable answering a question, they should skip it and move to the next one.

We hope that your child will participate. The information we collect will help us get to know our students, their backgrounds, experiences and unique needs. This will allow us to better support their success by removing any barriers to their learning and well-being and allocating resources where they are most needed.

Parents or guardians of students in Grade 6 to Grade 12 will receive detailed information before the administration of the Student Census. They are encouraged to have their child(ren) complete all questions they feel comfortable answering. If there are any questions they do not wish to answer, they can skip them. Parents or guardians who do not want their child to take part in the Student Census can opt-out their child from participating using the form provided in the email or contacting census@ycdsb.ca

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The Student Census is confidential. We respect the privacy of our students and families.

Data will be collected in a secure manner in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and best practices. Questionnaires will have unique access codes assigned to them. Data will be stored on internal YCDSB servers and will only be accessed by authorized research staff for research and educational purposes. Storage and retention of census data will follow the YCDSB Policy 109 Records and Information Management.

Reports will never single out or identify a student or family and will only be reported in summary to understand the needs of our students and school communities. Reports on the findings will only include findings where there are 10 or more students.

Read the “Authorization to Collect Data and Confidentiality Statement

The Student Census is confidential but not anonymous. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of students and families, individual data will be de-identified for analysis and only reported as part of larger groups. Student information will remain private and confidential and will never be shared or released.

Students’ experiences and demographic data are linked with student outcomes to identify and address barriers to student well-being, achievement and success. Reports will never single out or identify a student or family and will only be reported in summary to better understand the needs of students and communities.

All information that may be disclosed to external organizations, such as the Ministry of Education, will be aggregated at the board level and all personal identifiers will be omitted to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of students.

No program or report card marks will be withheld from any student who does not complete the Student Census.

Translated versions of the Kindergarten to Grade 5 Parent Census are available online in the following languages: Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Tamil.

Translated versions of the Grades 6-12 Student Census are available in the following languages: Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Tamil. Other languages are available upon request.

Requests for translations or a paper version of the Students Census should be emailed to census@ycdsb.ca.

The Census includes the top languages spoken that were identified for Ontario on the 2016 Canada Census. Students in Grades 6 to 12 and parents of students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 can enter other ethnic or cultural origins as needed to describe the student’s background.

The Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) permits the collection and analysis of data based on race and other grounds, provided that the data is collected for purposes consistent with the Code, such as to monitor discrimination, identify and remove systemic barriers, address historical disadvantage and promote substantive equality.

We respect the privacy of our students and families and will manage and protect our students' personal information.

Secure processes will be implemented to ensure the security of students’ personal information.

Secure systems will be employed for retaining, storing and disposing of personal information in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and provincial guidelines. Storage and retention of census data will follow the YCDSB Policy 109 Records and Information Management.

We will use the census data, along with other information gathered from our school stakeholders, to inform our decision-making and planning. Parent and community representatives will help guide and inform our decision-making and actions at every step of the way. Procedures and practices will be implemented to address the identified needs of individual students in a sensitive and empathetic manner in neighbourhoods and schools that require additional resources and supports.

Board Policies are listed on the York Catholic District School Board website, which can be accessed at www.ycdsb.ca.