Acton-Boxborough Regional School District

Developing engaged, well-balanced learners through collaborative, caring relationships

• WELLNESS
• EQUITY
• ENGAGEMENT

Positive Trends

The survey found several positive changes that show improvements in students’ well-being and support systems:

1. More Family and School Support: More students said they feel safe and supported at home and at school compared to past years. Sixth graders showed the biggest improvement in feeling safe with their families, and high school students felt safer at school than before.
2. Increased Trust in Adults: Many students said they have trusted adults at school they can go to for help. This is important for dealing with issues like bullying and mental health. Trust in adults increased across all grades, showing stronger school support systems.
3. Better Coping Skills: Students said they feel better able to handle tough situations, showing improved stress management compared to 2022.
4. Fewer Risky Behaviors: Some risky behaviors and attitudes have decreased:

• Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide Consideration: Fewer students reported feeling depressed, harming themselves, or thinking about suicide compared to 2022.
• Substance Use: The use of alcohol, marijuana, and e-cigarettes has either gone down or remained the same across all grades compared to 2022.
• Unsafe Driving: Fewer students who drive reported driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana, or using their phones while driving, compared to 2020.
• Sexual Messaging: Fewer high school students said they sent or received sexually explicit messages or photos compared to 2020.

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Conclusion

The 2024 YRBS revealed both progress and challenges for Acton-Boxborough students. Improvements in family and school support, coping skills, and reduced substance use are encouraging. However, the rise in bullying, social media use, and exposure to pornography, alongside the ongoing struggles with mental health, show that more work is needed. Mental health issues, especially depression and suicidal thoughts, remain a concern. Students who struggle with these issues are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. By continuing to strengthen support at home and at school, Acton-Boxborough can help create a safer and healthier environment for all students.
View Previous YRBS Results 

Areas of Concern

While there were many positive changes, the survey also showed areas where students are struggling:

1. Bullying and Cyberbullying: Bullying has increased across all grades compared to past years. Sixth graders reported the highest rates of bullying and cyberbullying, even though more students said they feel supported at school.
2. More Time on Social Media: More students, especially in 8th grade and high school, said they spend too much time on social media compared to 2022.
3. Exposure to Pornography: While fewer students reported sending or receiving sexual messages, more students said they viewed pornography compared to 2022. The survey question was updated in 2024 to better define what counts as pornography. This change may account for some of the changes in student reporting.
4. Mental Health and Risky Behaviors: Even though depression and suicidal thoughts have decreased overall, students who feel depressed or think about suicide are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors. These include self-harm, unhealthy dieting, and substance use. When looking at data across all reporting school districts, certain groups of students are at higher risk for depression and suicidal thoughts, including:  
   • Students who identify as LGBTQ+ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, non-binary, or transgender).
   • Students from specific racial and ethnic groups, such as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, and American Indian/Alaska Native students.
5.  Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behaviors: While substance use has decreased overall, high school students still reported higher levels of alcohol and drug use than younger students. High school students were also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as having sexual intercourse or viewing pornography, and reported higher rates of sexual harassment.