Results from the 2023-2024 Fairfax County Youth Survey were recently published by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The survey provides insights about the behaviors and attitudes affecting the health and well-being of Fairfax County youth.
Links
- Summary Memo
- 6th Grade Youth Survey
- 8th, 10th, 12th Grade Youth Survey
- Youth Survey PowerPoint Presentation
A total of 28,545 students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades participated in the survey, representing 66.1% of youth in those FCPS grade levels. Simultaneously, 11,444 students participated in the 2023 Fairfax County Youth Survey of 6th Grade Students, representing 87.4% of all 6th grade students enrolled.
Overall, the percentages of students who reported risky behaviors continued to decrease in many areas including substance use, sexual activity, and aggressive and delinquent behavior. Mental health indicators, including feelings of sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempts, also reached their lowest levels in the past decade, following a peak during the pandemic in 2021. However, the rates of risky behaviors and protective factors varied by demographic factors such as gender, grade, and race/ethnicity.
The survey provides detailed information on mental health, substance Use, bullying and aggression, physical health and nutrition, extracurricular activities and civic behaviors, and how safe and protected students feel at school.