According to student survey results shared at the District 202 Board of Education meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, student well-being and sense of belonging have increased. The data, gathered during the 2024-2025 school year, reflect change in recent years following schedule and policy changes implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey indicates fewer students reporting feelings related to depression, anxiety, stress, sadness and hopelessness. One of the most significant improvements was seen in depression-related indicators, which declined from pandemic-era highs. Students also reported feeling more comfortable sharing their thoughts in class and felt more supported by their teachers.
“Sixty-three percent of students report feeling that they belong at ETHS quite a bit or completely, which has been trending upwards over the past couple of years,” said Carrie Levy, Director of Research, Evaluation and Assessment. “A strong sense of belonging and connection are important components of positive learning environments.”
Substance use was also analyzed in the data collection. According to Levy, the majority of students reported that they have never used alcohol (82%), tobacco (92%), electronic cigarettes (90%) or cannabis/marijuana (87%), noting that these trends are consistent with previous years.
The data are based on student self-reporting but remain consistent each year, and response rates are typically very high. Last year’s response rate was 85%.
“While students may skip any question they are not comfortable answering, we find that year-to-year student responses to the wellbeing survey questions have been fairly consistent and reliable,” said Levy. “We usually have high response rates, which is important for ensuring reliable survey data.”
For sophomore Claire Miller-Niharra, improved student mental health was the biggest success reflected in the results.
“I feel like the biggest success being reflected [in the survey] is the improvement in student mental health and how students are feeling at school,” said Miller-Niharra.
While well-being indicators improved, attendance remains a concern. Chronic absenteeism and truancy rose during the 2024–25 school year. Miller-Niharra emphasized the significance of the survey results and student feedback in shaping school decisions.
“Future policies or decisions are based on these results, which makes them very important,” said Miller-Niharra.
Recent policy changes aimed at improving well-being, such as the shift to block scheduling, have received mixed reactions from students. Miller-Niharra said the new schedule, including longer passing periods, has made her feel less stressed and more relaxed at school.
Looking ahead, ETHS plans to continue using survey data to guide long-term mental health programming. Levy, however, cautioned that the results should be interpreted carefully.
“These results should be interpreted with caution, as the data are based on self-reported responses and are inherently subjective,” said Levy. “Students’ answers may reflect their feelings at the specific moment the survey was completed rather than their long-term experiences.”
The survey results show progress in student well-being while also highlighting areas that still require attention. The data provide insight into how students are feeling and will continue to inform future school decisions.
