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Social Emotional Learning Snapshot

Prince William County Public Schools is committed to supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. As part of this work, students in grades 3-12 will participate in the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Snapshot, a brief student questionnaire that helps us better understand how students experience and use important life skills.

What is the SEL Snapshot?

The SEL Snapshot is a short, student self-reflection that asks students how easy or challenging it feels for them to use key skills in their daily school experience. The questions are research-based and developmentally appropriate to help identify areas of growth for student skills. These skills are grouped into five areas that support student success in school, relationships, and future goals. These five areas are: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision making.

The Snapshot is not a test, and there are no right or wrong answers. It simply gives students a chance to share their own experiences and perspectives.

Why Student Participation Matters

Student voice is one of the most valuable sources of information we have for understanding the needs of our schools.

When students participate, schools gain a clearer understanding of strengths and opportunities for growth across classrooms, grade levels, and school communities. This information helps schools:

  • Strengthen instruction that supports student success.
  • Improve school climate and student belonging.
  • Identify areas where additional supports may be beneficial.
  • Make informed decisions about programs, resources, and services.
  • Create learning environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Every student’s perspective contributes to a more complete picture of the student experience.

How will my child’s information be used?

  • Student responses are used primarily in combined, group-level reports to help schools understand trends and improve supports.
  • Individual responses are not used for grades, discipline, or evaluation.
  • Data is handled with care and in accordance with school division privacy practices.

Participation in the SEL Snapshot is not mandatory.  Families are provided with an opportunity to review the questions asked 30 days in advance of administration.  Parents/guardians have the ability to opt-out their student from the Snapshot.  This form must be completed before August 21, 2026. If you have any questions abut the Snapshot, please reach out to your student's school.

SEL Snapshot Opt-Out Form

Preview of 2026-27 SEL Snapshot

Select the grade level below

Grades 3-5

Social Emotional Learning Snapshot (SELs) Grades 3-5

1.  First Name

2.  Last Name

3.  Student ID (lunch number) *

4.  Please choose your current grade. *

3

4

5

5.  Please choose your current school. * (drop-down menu provided)

6.  Knowing the emotions I feel.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

7. Knowing when my feelings are making it hard for me to focus.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

8. Knowing which things make me feel nervous.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

9. Knowing what my strengths are.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

10. Knowing how I think about myself affects how I act.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

11. Staying calm when I feel stressed.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

12. Finishing tasks even if they are hard for me.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

13.   Doing my schoolwork even when I do not feel like it.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

14.  Planning ahead so I can turn a project in on time.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

15.  Being prepared for tests.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

16.  Thinking through the steps it will take to reach my goal.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

17.  Knowing who to ask for help with my schoolwork.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

18.  Paying attention to my classmates' feelings.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

19.  Knowing what people may be feeling by the look on their face.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

20.  Knowing when a classmate is not being treated fairly.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

21.  Learning from people with different opinions than me.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

22.  Appreciating that some people do things differently than me.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

23.  Respecting a classmate's opinions during a disagreement.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

24.  Getting along with my classmates.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

25.  Making sure that everyone's ideas are heard in a group.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

26.  Working out disagreements on group projects.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

27. Talking to an adult when I have problems at school.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

28.  Introducing myself to a new student at school.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

29.  Helping classmates calm down if they're upset.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

30.  Thinking of different ways to solve a problem.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

31.  Thinking about what might happen before making a decision.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

32.  Asking for advice when making an important decision.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

33.  Saying "no" to a friend who wants to break the rules.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

34.  Keeping the promises I make to my classmates.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

35. & Knowing what is right or wrong.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

 

Grades 6-12

Social Emotional Learning Snapshot (SELs) Grades 6–12

1.  First Name

2.  Last Name

3.  Student ID (lunch number) *

4.  Please choose your current grade. *

 6

 7

 8

 9

 10

 11

 12

5.  Please choose your current school. * (drop-down menu provided)

6.  Knowing the emotions I feel.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

7. Knowing when my feelings are making it hard for me to focus.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

8. Knowing which things make me feel nervous.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

9. Knowing what my strengths are.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

10. Knowing how I think about myself affects how I act.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

11. Staying calm when I feel stressed.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

12. Finishing tasks even if they are hard for me.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

13. Doing my schoolwork even when I do not feel like it.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

14. Planning ahead so I can turn a project in on time.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

15. Being prepared for tests.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

16. Thinking through the steps it will take to reach my goal.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

17. Knowing who to ask for help with my schoolwork.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

18. Paying attention to my classmates' feelings.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

19. Knowing what people may be feeling by the look on their face.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

20. Knowing when a classmate is not being treated fairly.<

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

21. Learning from people with different opinions than me.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

22. Appreciating that some people do things differently than me.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

23. Respecting a classmate's opinions during a disagreement.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

24. Getting along with my classmates.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

25. Making sure that everyone's ideas are heard in a group.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

26. Working out disagreements on group projects.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

27. Talking to an adult when I have problems at school.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

28. Introducing myself to a new student at school.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

29. Helping classmates calm down if they're upset.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

30. Thinking of different ways to solve a problem.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

31. Thinking about what might happen before making a decision.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

32. Asking for advice when making an important decision.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

33. Saying "no" to a friend who wants to break the rules.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

34. Keeping the promises I make to my classmates.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy

35. Knowing what is right or wrong.

Very Hard

Hard

Easy

Very Easy