Youth Right Now
Insights from the nation’s largest data set on kids & teens | Learn the issues facing youth in 2025
What Kids & Teens Care About Most & Why We Should Too
A message from Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s President & CEO Jim Clark. Read more →
America needs Club Kids.
Outside of school, Club Kids are safe, active and learning — on their way to becoming our future scientists, doctors and public servants.
Tomorrow’s Leaders are at Boys & Girls Clubs. Help more youth discover their greatness.
Explore the full survey results. |
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About Youth Survey Respondents
Key Takeaways
Five years post-pandemic, students are showing gradual academic recovery. Teens are also building strong life skills and exploring higher education along with alternative life paths.
40% of youth have gotten into a fight in the past year. However, youth are also showing strong moral values. 78% say they do what’s right, even if no one is watching.
Five years after the pandemic, academic performance has gradually improved as students continue to get back on track in school.
86% of students (5th-12th grade) ARE ON TRACK TO GRADUATE from high school.
82% of students believe that what they are learning in school WILL BE IMPORTANT LATER IN LIFE.
Spotlight on Plans After High School
In making post grad plans, high school seniors are looking at a variety of options. 63% said they plan to enroll in more school. Of those, three-quarters (77%) aim to earn a four-year college degree or higher.
Spotlight on Teens
Teens are feeling equipped for adulthood, including preparing for college, future careers and adult responsibilities.
Young people are putting effort into school and exploring careers. They’re also striving to create a more inclusive world and taking positive action in their community, with 77% of youth saying they can stand up for what they think is right, even if their friends disagree.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
85% of youth believe they can succeed in school with 95% saying they ask for help in school when they need it.
77% of youth are curious to learn more about science, computers or technology, while 71% can communicate their emotions or feelings through art.
Character & Leadership
3-in-4 (75%) youth feel they can make a positive difference in their community, with 51% volunteering in their neighborhood, school or community at least once a month.
86% of youth try to help when they know someone is hurting, while 76% make an effort to be inclusive when they see someone being left out.
Health & Well-being
3-in-5 (59%) youth are physically active five or more days a week, while 78% say that eating healthy is important to them.
84% of youth say they understand how their feelings affect their actions, with 75% knowing ways to calm themselves down.
Workforce Readiness
88% of youth know about different types of careers, while 86% say they know which career they want to work toward.
52% of youth are interested in having a STEM-related job in the future, while 2-in-3 (66%) know the steps they need to take to be in a science-related career.
Some of the challenges facing young people center around having trouble managing relationships with their peers, including open communication and conflict resolution. Meanwhile, a third of high school students strive to be the first in their families to go to college, signaling the need for post-secondary education resources and support to be within all students’ reach.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
With 29% of high school students aspiring to be the first in their families to attend college, it is essential that resources and opportunities for pursuing post-secondary education are accessible to all students.
Nearly one-third (28%) of 12 graders have not submitted the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Character & Leadership
27% of youth say they have trouble admitting their mistakes.
32% of youth say they don’t always think about consequences before making a decision.
Health & Well-being
40% of youth have gotten into a fight in the past year. 16% of youth in grades 6-8 and 9% of youth in grades 9-12 also say they were electronically bullied in the past year.
2-in-5 (43%) youth say that when they have problems with people their age, they seldom or never talk things over with them.
Workforce Readiness
39% of youth struggle with sharing their thoughts clearly with others, while 24% find it difficult sometimes to communicate with different types of people.
1-in-5 (22%) youth say they do not always see the benefits when they work hard.
Downloadable Resources
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Full Survey Results, Survey Summary and Teen & Tween Spotlight
