Building supportive relationships between students and trusted adults is emerging as a key strategy in addressing bullying among middle and high school students. This insight comes from the School Climate Survey (SCS) conducted by Mission Promise Neighborhood (MPN) in partnership with MEDA’s evaluation team in May 2024. Administered every one to two years since 2016 (excluding the COVID-19 pandemic), the survey provides valuable insights into student experiences and needs. It informs partners about student realities, helping tailor support and improve service strategies.
By amplifying student voices, the survey equips MPN network partners and community members with valuable insights. It also informs elected officials and key stakeholders about the realities facing young people in our community in an ever-changing environment.
Safety, Bullying and Supportive Relationships
An analysis of the results indicates that student perceptions of safety in schools remain a challenge, with 56% of respondents feeling safe at school. Additionally, gender disparities persist, with nearly 7 in 10 males feeling safe at school, compared to just 6 in 10 females. Social media and screen use may play a role in exacerbating conflicts and bullying, making it an area worth further exploration.
However, the most significant change revealed by the survey is that 48% of students in 2024 now feel comfortable reporting bullying incidents to teachers or staff, a significant increase from just 33% in 2022. This improvement reflects post-pandemic efforts to build stronger student-adult relationships in schools as the school environment stabilizes. This progress is significant, even as 54% of participants reported experiencing bullying.
The increase in confidence in reporting bullying also connects to the rising perception that teachers and school staff treat students with respect, a trend that had been in decline before the pandemic. In 2024, 70% of all respondents reported that they feel teachers and school staff treat them with respect, compared to 57% in 2019.
Looking Ahead
While progress has been made, addressing bullying and fostering a culture of safety requires ongoing commitment. Schools, MPN partners, and families must collaborate to reinforce student-adult trust, establish clearer reporting systems, and integrate social-emotional learning into daily education. By deepening student-adult relationships, refining intervention strategies, and proactively addressing online and offline bullying, MPN and its partners can work toward a future where every student feels valued, protected, and empowered.
*The survey was administered to 156 students by MPN partners—Jamestown Community Center, Urban Services YMCA, and Mission Graduates—via SurveyMonkey. Participants ranged from 6th to 12th grade and attended the following schools: Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8, Everett Middle School, James Lick Middle School, John O’Connell High School, and Mission High School.
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