Vital Signs Data
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
SDG 4.2: Ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
Schools & Educational Institutions
Schools & Educational Institutions
Post-secondary
Post-secondary
Primary and Secondary Schools
Primary and Secondary Schools
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 15,000 students at 39 in-person schools (32 elementary, two K-12; four 7-12, one secondary) and a K-10 virtual school. The district covers a geographic area of 7,220 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.
The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board serve students of the Roman Catholic faith. Their schools cover the area from Whitney to the north, Kingston to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.
Sonrise Christian Academy is located in Picton and offers K-6 education to families in Prince Edward County.
Preschool
The HUB Child & Family Centre provides licensed child care and early learning through a number of programs and services that focus on children infant to 13 years old and their families.
The EarlyON program at the HUB offers free, high-quality drop-in programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. Parents can learn and play with their children, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals.
Adult Education
Prince Edward Learning Centre is dedicated to helping adult learners acquire the skills needed to achieve their personal learning and employment goals. Support is provided to:
- Upgrade Literacy & Essential Skills
- Finish High School
- Prepare to write the GED
- Prepare for Work or a Career
- Prepare for College
- Prepare for Apprenticeship & Training
- Develop Skills for Personal Independence
- INSPIRE paid workplace training and placement program.
Loyola School of Adult and Continual Learning, Picton campus
Earn high school credits.
Loyalist College – College Prep. Program, 613-969-1913 Belleville
Literacy and Basic Skills program – continuous intake literacy and adult upgrading program. Ages 18 yrs and up. Apply at Pioneer Building. No fees; covered by Employment Ontario.
Community Programs
For girls aged 6 / 7 years 8 / 9 years
For girls aged 6 / 7 years 8 / 9 years
Serving the needs of low income families and at risk children
Serving the needs of low income families and at risk children
Youth grades 7 through 12
Youth grades 7 through 12
All ages
All ages
Pillars for Youth Well-being and Success
The Greater Than Theory of Change, developed by Greater Than County Youth Collective through a series of workshops, youth surveys and research, includes these five pillars to support youth success:
- Well-being: Youth are physically, emotionally and mentally well.
- Empowerment: Youth feel valued in their community and have a voice.
- Education Support: Youth are engaged in their learning.
- Career and Employment Support: Youth see the relevance of their education to their future.
- Family Care-Giver Peer Support: Youth feel connected to their family care-givers and peers.
Barriers to Success
Students and teachers are still grappling with the long-term effects of COVID-19 disruptions. Many children and youth have experienced disengagement, chronic attendance problems, declines in academic achievement, and decreased credit attainment during the pandemic, with the impact far deeper for those already at-risk. (Whitley, Beauchamp, Brown 2021)
In the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDPSB), absenteeism remains a challenge, especially among Grade 12 and Grade 8 students, with Grade 8 being the most concerning.
- Remote learning has further revealed inequities in household internet access and technical capabilities. Low income households are significantly less likely to have home internet and multiple internet-enabled devices. (Canadian Science Publishing)
- Transportation is a barrier to accessing services and activities.
- Bullying, including cyberbullying threatens mental well-being. Most vulnerable are racialized groups, LGBTQ2SIA+ youth, persons living with disabilities, and those living in poverty. (Greater Than County Youth Collective youth surveys 2017, 2019, 2021) In a 2022 survey of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) conducted by All Welcome Here, 100% of BIPOC students at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute reported being victim to race-based bullying.
- Canada’s high school dropout rates average 5–14%, rising to 50% or more in marginalized communities. Youth in these areas face barriers including limited access to nutritious meals, financial instability, inadequate educational resources, transportation issues, and language barriers. (Pathways to Education)
- Children in low socioeconomic communities are almost twice as likely to be behind in early development skills as high-socioeconomic status peers. (Pan-Canadian Public Health Network) Early literacy skills are linked to better outcomes in personal and economic well-being throughout a child's life and into their adulthood. (Deloitte, An Economic Overview of Children's Literacy in Canada) Canada ranks 33rd out of 35 OECD countries for early childhood education enrollment. (Early Years Study 4: Thriving Kids, Thriving Society)
- HPEDSB school suspension rates have historically been high compared to provincial rates. (Ontario, Suspension rates by school board) The concern is that suspended students may not return to complete their education
| HPE 2011 | HPE 2016 | HPE 2021 | Ontario 2021 | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School suspension rate | 7.54% | 6.08% | 2.08% | 0.76% | Govt of Ontario |
