The purpose of the census is to build a deeper understanding of the diversity within the student population and to identify opportunities to improve student achievement and well-being through more equitable and inclusive practices.
See the report here: See Me in ALCDSB Preliminary Census
A total of 6,344 students participated in the census, yielding a 76.4% response rate (70.3% after accounting for incomplete responses), a substantial improvement over previous collections.
The findings reflect growing diversity in language, race, ethnicity, gender identity and religion. Students identified 93 first languages, up from 70 in 2023, and increasingly reported multilingual identities.
While many students feel safe and supported, positive perceptions of belonging and school experience have declined. Students also reported stronger identity representation in extracurricular activities than in curriculum or school materials, alongside participation barriers and socioeconomic challenges.
This descriptive, system-level snapshot does not establish causes or explain disparities. It reinforces the need to remove systemic barriers, strengthen belonging and well-being, and expand equitable access to opportunities. Future analysis will link census findings to student outcomes to identify disproportionalities and guide targeted improvements.