The Toronto District School Board will review the findings of a student survey on Wednesday night that focuses on the merits of a school designed especially for black students.

The board spent $300,000 preparing the controversial report, which is the first comprehensive survey that includes information on race and ethnicity.

Feedback from parents at two heated community held earlier this month will also be discussed.

Some of the findings in the 99-page report show:

  • 15 per cent of Toronto's student population is black;
  • There is no correlation between race and student achievement; and
  • More than 80 per cent of students said they feel safe at school.

The board's director of education, Gerry Connelly, isn't taking a side on the issue, but she said results from the survey show some changes are needed.

"One of the things that we have learned is that many of our students don't see themselves reflected in the curriculum, and we feel very strongly that we need to be more much aggressive in our staff development with respect to equity," Connelly said.

The debate for a black-focused school has enraged some parents, who feel the initiative is a dangerous throwback to the days of segregation.

However, some parents, community leaders and educators support the concept. They say the current curriculum is failing the city's black youth.

More than half of black male teens at Toronto's public schools haven't earned the 16 credits required by the end of Grade 10, according to the school board.

Supporters of the plan say an "African-centred alternative school" would lower the dropout rate of young black males.

Some parents say an African-centred school with black teachers and role models would help black youths graduate and succeed.

The school board's proposal calls for a school from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 that would have more black teachers, mentors and a stronger focus on students' heritage.

The school would teach the Ontario curriculum and have more parent involvement.

If the idea is approved, the black-focused school could open as early as next fall.

Youth worker Orville Wallace says now is the time to establish a black-focused school.

"If they're going to offer us a black-focused school, politicians are going to offer us, we better take it and run with it," he said on Wednesday.

There will be two more community meetings held in early December.

With a report from CTV's Galit Solomon