PA Youth Survey

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Phoenixville Area Middle School and Phoenixville Area High School students are taking part in the 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The survey asks about the behaviors of students in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades, including questions about school climate, mental health, violence, bullying, and substance use.

The information we receive will assist us and our community partners in working to promote mental health and prevent substance use and other problem behaviors. As a parent or caregiver, you have the right to prohibit your child’s participation.

Participation is completely voluntary. Students will be instructed that they can skip any questions they do not understand or choose not to answer. If they have any questions or concerns after taking this survey, they are instructed to talk with their school counselor or a trusted adult.

Survey responses are anonymous and confidential. The survey is designed to protect each
student’s privacy. Students will not put their names on the survey, and no student will ever have their individual responses reported.

The survey is well tested, having been administered to over 2 million Pennsylvania students since the 1990’s. The information collected has proved invaluable to prevention planners in selecting programming to promote healthy youth development.

You can request a list of the survey questions by visiting this link. For more information about the survey, please visit www.pays.pa.gov then click on “2023.”

The survey will be administered during the week of October 16th. It will take one class period to complete. If you do not want your child to participate, please submit your request in email or letter to the appropriate administrator: 
High School: Ms. Marty Walls
Middle School: Mr. Kyle Worrell

Thank you for helping to keep our schools drug free and safe for learning.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jessica Kilmetz,
Assistant Superintendent Phoenixville Area School District
484-927-5071


Past Survey Information

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