To better understand today’s students, we must explore the extent to which they feel a sense of well-being and belonging at school. While we often rely on grades and test scores to measure students’ academic progress, we frequently overlook other critical dimensions of their experience that are inextricably linked to success in school. We must also consider questions such as:
- Which conditions within their learning environments contribute to (or detract from) their sense of belonging and overall wellness?
- What are their sources of stress, and can we do anything to mitigate them?
- What fundamental needs are not being met? How does that impact students’ well-being and, ultimately, their ability to engage academically?
Data from the Challenge Success Student Voice Report (2024), which includes survey responses from more than 270,000 high school students from public, private, and charter schools across the U.S., demonstrates that many students struggle with high levels of stress and academic worry, inadequate sleep, and a feeling that they don’t belong. Students are yearning to release the pressure valve and feel better.