Case Study: Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools achieves student-driven bullying and mental-health insights with ThoughtExchange

Hearing 1000 student perspectives on bullying

Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools in Alberta needed a better way to hear authentic student perspectives on bullying and mental health—issues made difficult to discuss because of stigma and the limits of token face‑to‑face methods. The district prioritized broad, representative student voice so it could understand real concerns and how its policies were perceived.

In fall 2015 the district partnered with Thoughtexchange to run an anonymous, district‑wide consultation that reached 2,086 participants (about 50% students), generating 4,151 thoughts and 121,958 stars. The platform’s thematic and school‑by‑school reports helped leaders identify gaps (including misunderstandings about the district’s restorative approach), set six bullying initiatives and eight mental‑health initiatives, improve communication, and reduce stigma—evidenced by increased empathy and participation in mental‑health events.

Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools

David Keohane

Superintendent