School Safety & Violence Climate Survey

Thanks for taking part in this school safety survey. Your answers are anonymous, and there are no right or wrong responses — we just want an honest picture of what school is really like for you. It takes about 6-8 minutes. If any question brings up something upsetting, please reach out to a school counselor or trusted adult anytime.

How safe do you feel while at school during a typical school day?

In the last 30 days, how many times have you seen a physical fight or physical violence happen at school?

• Never
• Once
• 2-3 times
• 4 or more times

In the last 30 days, how often have you personally been bullied at school, in person or online?

• Never
• Once or twice
• About once a week
• Several times a week or more

How safe do you feel in each of the following places at school?

Which of the following have you personally seen or heard about happening at your school this school year? Select all that apply.

• Physical fights between students
• Verbal threats of violence
• A weapon reported on campus
• Bullying or cyberbullying
• Vandalism or graffiti related to threats
• Gang-related activity

How confident are you that adults at your school would respond effectively if you reported a safety concern?

If you witnessed a safety incident at school, how likely would you be to report it to a teacher or staff member?

Which of these changes do you think would do the most — and the least — to improve safety at your school?

• More adult supervision in hallways and common areas
• An anonymous reporting system for safety concerns
• Conflict resolution or peer mediation programs
• Metal detectors or security screening at entrances
• More counselors or mental health support staff
• Clearer and more consistent discipline for rule violations
• Safety and de-escalation training for students
• Better lighting and security cameras on campus

Probe the respondent's most recent or most vivid experience of feeling unsafe or witnessing a safety incident at school: what happened, where, who was involved, and whether it was reported. If they gave low confidence in how adults respond or said they'd be unlikely to report an incident, dig into the specific reason — fear of retaliation, belief nothing would change, not knowing how to report — and what would make them more willing to speak up. Keep the tone neutral and non-judgmental, and do not ask for identifying details about other students.

Is there anything else about safety at your school you'd like adults to know?

What grade are you in?

• 6th
• 7th
• 8th
• 9th
• 10th
• 11th
• 12th
• Prefer not to say

What is your gender?

• Female
• Male
• Non-binary
• Prefer to self-describe
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for sharing your experience. Your responses will be combined with others' to help school leaders see where students feel unsafe and improve how safety concerns are handled — no individual answers will be shared. If you're dealing with something difficult right now, please talk to a counselor or trusted adult.