El Sistema USA2026 Census
Dear El Sistema USA Programs,
We invite you to participate in the El Sistema USA 2026 Census.
What Is the Bi-Annual Census? Every two years, we collect data from our members to understand the scope and breadth of the El Sistema USA member work happening across the United States, including information about your students, programming, and staff.
Why This Matters Census data helps us plan national and regional programming, advocate for accessible and equitable music education, tell the story of our collective impact, and help to fundraise for future regranting initiatives to the field.
Our last census showed that our network serves over 30,000 students, that programs offer an average of 7 hours of instruction per week, and that a majority of programs have hired alumni as staff. These numbers are proof that our guiding pillars (equity, high-quality music education, and holistic impact) are alive across the field.
Your data doesn’t just describe where our network is, it shows where we’re going. It tells the story of the innovative, holistic, and excellent music education taking place nationally.
How to Participate Below is the link to begin the 2026 Census. You can preview the questions in advance via the linked PDF. To complete the census, you’ll need information from the 2025–26 school year on enrollment, financials, personnel, and program offerings. Please complete the census by November 1, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact El Sistema USA external researcher Dr. Deborah E. Ward at census@elsistemausa.org
You will receive a copy of the census report when it is published.
With your voice, we can paint a complete picture of El Sistema USA and tell the story of our collective impact. Thank you for your contribution to this network and our work.
The El Sistema USA Team
