School Climate Survey Instruments
“The foundation of school safety rests in creating cultures and climates of safety, respect, and emotional support in schools.”
As part of the Safe Communities Safe Schools (SCSS) project, the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence offers school climate surveys, at a low cost, with options for students, staff, and parents.
Measuring school climate provides:
- Critical data about strengths and challenges that can be used to set priorities for action
- Opportunity to carefully select evidence-based programs, practices, and policies based on data-identified needs and priorities
- Evidence that existing strategies and programs are obtaining the intended outcomes or, if challenges still exist, indication that modifications or technical assistance may be needed
Benefits to using the SCSS survey:
- Administration Ease: Surveys are administered anonymously online using a secure website and server
- Customization: Schools can customize their student survey by selecting from optional scales
- Report Quality and Quick Turnaround Time: Within two weeks of completing the surveys, we send a comprehensive report to the school detailing results with attention to their strengths and challenges
- Validated and Reliable Measures: SCSS surveys use tested measures of risk and protective factors, risk behaviors and factors of school climate
- Companion Reports: Staff and parent surveys align with the student survey, providing a more comprehensive picture of a school’s climate from the broader school community
- Spanish Translation: All surveys are available online in both English and Spanish
- Resources for Evidence-Based Programs and Strategies Matched to Needs: Reports include reputable resources for selecting evidence-based programs and strategies based on identified needs and challenges. SCSS staff can provide additional services to help guide schools in the next steps when considering implementing a new program or strategy
What schools receive:
- Scientifically reliable and valid measures: surveys for students, staff, and parents/guardians
- Customized student surveys
- Passive and active consent form templates for student surveys
- Guidance on coordinating and overseeing survey administration
- Comprehensive report(s)
- One virtual consultation session with CSPV staff to review report(s)
For more information about our surveys or to administer any of the SCSS Surveys at your school, please contact us via email at cspv@colorado.edu or by phone at 303-492-1032. View informational materials about our surveys, including pricing and FAQs.
Information About Surveys and Sample PDFs
Student Climate Surveys
- Access to the internet and computers/devices for students to take the survey
- Survey administration must take place after students have been in school for at least 60 days
- Estimated time needed to complete survey: 45-60 minutes (dependent on grade level and reading ability)
Staff Climate Surveys
- Access to the internet and computers (provided by school or through personal devices) for all school staff, including teachers, administrators, support staff, and anyone else who has contact with students
- Survey administration recommended to take place after students have been in school for at least 60 days
- Estimated time needed to complete survey: 15 minutes
Parent/Guardian Surveys
- Access to the internet and computers (through personal devices or provided by school)
- Survey administration recommended to take place after students have been in school for at least 60 days
- Estimated time to complete survey: 15 minutes
The online elementary school survey is designed for students in grades 4-6 (if 6th grade is part of elementary school). Student responses are anonymous and all data is aggregated when reported back to the school. Schools administer the core school climate survey questions and have the option of customizing their survey with additional optional scales that reflect the needs of the school. Schools should allow 45-60 minutes to administer the survey to accommodate all student reading levels.
Core Survey Topics:
- Positive School Climate
- Positive Feelings and Attitudes Toward School
- Good Condition of Campus
- Positive Feelings and Attitudes Towards Diversity
- Teacher Support
- Knowledge and Perception of Fairness of Discipline Policies
- Respect for Authority
- Perceptions of Feeling Safe at School
- Peer Acceptability of Aggression
- Acceptability of Aggression
- Bullying Victimization and Perpetration
- Bullying Victimization Hot Spots
- Perpetration of Aggression
- Smoking, Alcohol, & Marijuana Use
- Bonding and Time with Family
- Parental Control and Monitoring
- Parents Value and Encourage Prosocial Behavior
- Trusting Relationships
Optional Scale Topic Examples:
- Students’ Positive Relationship with Peers
- Witness to Bullying
- Involvement in Community Activities
- Physical Health Status and Exercise
- Value on Health
- Academic Self-Efficacy
- Self-Regulatory Self-Efficacy
- Truancy
Click below for sample questions from the Elementary School Survey:
The online middle/high school survey is designed for students in grades 6-12. Student responses are anonymous and all data is aggregated when reported back to the school. Schools administer the core school climate survey questions and have the option of customizing their survey with additional optional scales that reflect the needs of the school. Schools should allow 45-60 minutes to administer the survey to accommodate all student reading levels.
Core Survey Topic Examples:
- Positive School Climate
- Respectful and Supportive Relationships
- School Bonding
- Systems to Address Mental and Behavioral Health and Safety Concerns
- Antisocial Peer Attitudes
- Violent Attitudes and Moral Disengagement
- Interactions with Antisocial Peers
- Violence Risk
- Supportive Prosocial Attitudes and Relationships
- Interactions with Prosocial Peers
- Inner Drives and Deepest Interests
- Bullying Victimization and Perpetration
- Perceptions of Feeling Safe at School
- Perpetration of Aggression
- Delinquency
- Substance Abuse
- Truancy
- Trusting Relationships
Optional Scale Topic Examples:
- Teen Dating Violence
- Witness to Bullying
- Academic and Self-Regulatory Self-Efficacy
- Family Attachment and Positive Reinforcement
- Attitudes Towards Gun Violence
- Access to Firearms
- Weapon Carrying and Use
- Mental Health (Depressions and Suicide Risk)
- Gang Participation & Presence of Gangs
- Involvement in School and Community Activities
- Health and Wellness
- Physical Safety
- Gender Identity
Click below for sample questions from the Middle/High School Survey:
The School Staff Survey is an anonymous, online school climate survey designed to assess the school climate from the perspective of school administrators and staff. The survey is designed to be a complement to the student survey, although it can be used as a standalone assessment. School staff receive a link to the survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Core Survey Topics:
- Positive School Climate
- Perceptions of Safety and Supervision
- Respectful and Supportive Relationships
- Staff Capacity to Address Mental Health Concerns
- Staff Mindfulness Skills
- Clean and Orderly Campus
- Staff Social-Emotional Learning Skills
- Perceived Student Problem Behaviors
- School Safety Preparedness
- Community and Parent Engagement
Click below for sample questions from the Staff Survey:
The parent/guardian survey is an anonymous, online school climate survey designed to assess the school climate from the perspective of parents and guardians. The survey is designed to be a complement to the student survey, although it can be used as a standalone assessment. Parents/guardians receive a link to the survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Core Survey Topic Examples:
- Positive School Climate
- School Safety Preparedness
- Perceived Student Problem Behaviors
- Parental Involvement in School Activities
- Home Environment
- Parent Protective Factors
- Community Attachment
- Family and Community Risk and Protective Factors
Click below for sample questions from the Parent/Guardian Survey: