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Student Needs Assessment

The student emotional needs assessment is administered at the start of the school year to assess possible barriers to learning and engagement.

The questions included in the needs assessment address student emotional well-being and the degree to which a student needs more assistance to achieve academic success. The questions are developmentally appropriate for the grade level in which the assessment is administered.

The assessment helps school administrators, teachers, and school counselors identify students who may need more support to remove emotional and social barriers to learning. The data is used to engage parents and guardians to secure consent for participation in some elements of our comprehensive school counseling programs as outlined in PWCS Regulation 651-1, "School Counseling Services K-12."

Only school administrators and school-based mental health professionals have access to student responses. The assessment is administered using an encrypted electronic assessment tool that meets high standards for data privacy. Summaries of the findings of this assessment will be disclosed in divisionwide reports on student well-being. Individual student responses will not be shared with the public.

Schools will begin administering the assessment soon after the school year begins. If you wish for your student not to be given the assessment, please submit the Emotional Needs Assessment Opt-Out Form before the first day of school.

Preview of 2025-26 Student Needs Assessment

Select the grade level below

Grades 3-5

Preview of Student Needs Assessment for Grades 3-5

 

1.  Your school for the 2025 -26 school year. *

2.  Your grade for the 2025 -26 school year. *

3

4

5

3.  First Name *

4.  Last Name *

5.  Your student ID (lunch) number. You may ask your teacher for your student ID number if you do not know it.

6.  What are your biggest worries about this school year? (Choose all that are true for you.) *

Not being able to focus in class

Getting good grades

 Having a new routine

 Worrying about my family problems

Friendships with my peers

Being teased or bullied

Being able to control myself when I am upset

I have no worries.

7.  Over the summer and through the beginning of the school year,  I have felt the following... (Choose all that are true for you.) *

I was more anxious more anxious than normal.

I had more trouble paying attention in class than normal.

I had more trouble staying organized than normal.

I felt lonelier than normal.

I felt sadder than normal.

Someone I loved died.

I did not have any of these.

8. What can your teachers and school staff do to help you start the school year positively?  (Choose all that are true for you.) *

Explain what the new school/classroom expectations and schedules are.

Have talking sessions with students in smaller groups.

My year is going great. I would like my teachers to continue the great work.


The question below only appears if the student selects "Have talking sessions in smaller groups" in question eight.  Parent/guardians will be asked for consent before any student participates in group counseling.

9.  What topics would you want to discuss during your talking sessions with other students?

How to make friends

How to solve problems/conflicts

How to manage your emotions

Study and/or organizational skills

Family

 

Grades 6-8

Preview of Student Needs Assessment for Grades 6–8

 

1.  Your school for the 2025 -26 school year. *

2.  Your grade for the 2025 -26 school year. *

 6

 7

 8

3.  First Name *

4.  Last Name *

5.  Your student ID (lunch) number. You may ask your teacher for your student ID number if you do not know it.

 

6.  What are your biggest worries about this school year? (Choose all that are true for you) *

Not being able to focus in class

Getting good grades

Having to keep up with home responsibilities AND going to school

Feeling safe at school

Worrying about my family problems

Building and keeping friendships with my peers/classmates

Being teased or bullied

Being able to control myself when I am upset

I have no concerns.

7.  Over the summer and/or  at the beginning of the school year I have experienced the following... (Choose all that are true for you.)

I was more anxious than normal.

I had more trouble paying attention in class.

I had more trouble staying organized.

I felt lonelier than normal.

I felt sadder than normal.

I could not access basic needs (meals, housing, etc.).

I did not have a trusted adult I could talk to.

Someone I loved died.

I did not have any of these.

8. What can your teachers and school staff do to help you start the school year positively?  (Choose all that are true for you). *

Explain what the new school/classroom expectations and schedules are.

Have talking sessions with students in smaller groups.

Connect me to the school counselor or social worker who can help me with mental health concerns I have.

My year is going great. I would like my teachers to continue the great work.


The question below only appears if the student selects "Have talking sessions in smaller groups" in question eight.  Parent/guardians will be asked for consent before any student participates in group counseling.

9.  What topics would you want to discuss during your talking sessions with other students?

Navigating friendships/relationships

Solving conflicts with other people

Managing stress and other emotions

Study and/or organizational skills

Family

 

Grades 9-12

Preview of Student Needs Assessment for Grades 9–12

 

1.  Your school for the 2025 -26 school year. *

2.  Your grade for the 2025 -26 school year. *

 9

 10

 11

 12

3.  First Name *

4.  Last Name *

5.  Your student ID (lunch) number. You may ask your teacher for your student ID number if you do not know it.

6.  You are being asked to answer questions about your emotions and if you need further support to be successful in school.

If you do wish to share information please select "I wish to proceed". This information will help your school support your needs throughout the school year.

If you do not wish to answer these questions, please select "I do NOT wish to proceed" and the assessment will end.

I wish to proceed.

I do NOT wish to proceed.


7.  What are your biggest worries about this school year? (Choose all that are true for you.) *

Not being able to focus in class

Passing my classes or SOL tests

Having to keep up with home responsibilities AND going to school

Worrying about my family problems

Building and maintaining friendships with my peers/classmates

Being teased or bullied

Being able to handle my emotions when things don't go my way

Not having a plan after high school

 I do not have any worries.

8. Over the summer and/or at the beginning of the school year I have experienced the following that is out of the norm for me...(choose all that are true for you) *

I was more anxious than normal.

I had more trouble paying attention in class than normal.

I had more trouble staying organized than normal.

I felt lonelier than normal.

I felt more sad than normal.

I could not access basic needs (meals, housing, etc.)

Someone I loved died.

I did not have a trusted adult that I could talk to.

I did not have any of these.

9. What can your teachers and school staff do to help you start the school year positively?  (Choose all that are true for you). *

Explain what the new school/classroom expectations and schedules are.

Have talking sessions with students in smaller groups.

Connect me to the school counselor or social worker who could help with my feelings.

My year is going great. I would like my teachers to continue the great work.


The question below only appears if the student selects "Have talking sessions in smaller groups" in question nine.  Parent/guardians will be asked for consent before any student participates in group counseling.

10.  What topics would you want to discuss during your talking sessions with other students?

Navigating friendships/relationships

Solving conflicts with other people

Managing stress and other emotions

Study and/or organizational skills

Planning for life after high school

Family