Data in this report are weighted, self-reported estimates from the 2016–17 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All data are reliable and significant at p≤0.05 unless otherwise noted.
†Data have a relative standard error ≥ 30%, a confidence interval half-width ≥10%, or an unweighted denominator <50. Interpret data with caution.
*Data have a p-value>0,05. Interpret data with caution.
Data are pooled when more than five states asked the same question. If fewer than five states asked a question, data for just one site is shown.
1.0 Measuring Perceptions of School Climate Among Homeless Students
The three pillars of school climate are from the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments.
1.1 Engagement
Academic Grades of High School Students During the Past Year
Homeless grades n=359,324
Housed grades n=4,428,864
During the past 12 months, how would you describe your grades in school?
- Mostly A’s
- Mostly B’s
- Mostly C’s
- Mostly D’s
- Mostly F’s
- None of these grades
- Not sure
Note: For analysis purposes, “None of these grades” and “Not sure” were counted as missing.
Percent of Students Who Participated in Sports or Extracurricular Activities
Homeless sports/extracurriculars n=299,536
Housed sports/extracurriculars n=3,640,731
During the past 12 months, on how many sports teams did you play?
- 0 teams
- 1 team
- 2 teams
- 3 or more teams
Sites included in analysis: AK, AR, CA, Cleveland, CO, DE, DeKalb County, HI, ID, IL, KS, KY, MT, NH, Palm Beach, PA, Philadelphia
During the past 7 days, on how many days did you take part in organized after school, evening, or weekend activities (other than sports teams) such as school clubs, community center groups, music/art/dance lessons, drama, church, or other supervised activity?
- 0 days
- 1 day
- 2 days
- 3 days
- 4 days
- 5 days
- 6 days
- 7 days
Sites included in analysis: Cleveland
On how many of the past 7 days did you take part in organized after school, evening, or weekend activities (such as school clubs; sports; community center groups; music, art, or dance lessons; drama; church; or other supervised activities)?
- 0 days
- 1 day
- 2 days
- 3 days
- 4 days
- 5 days
- 6 days
- 7 days
Sites included in analysis: CT
During an average week when you are in school, how many total
hours do you participate in after-school activities such as sports,
band, drama, or clubs?
- 0 hours
- 1 to 4 hours
- 5 to 9 hours
- 10 to 19 hours
- 20 or more hours
Sites included in analysis: DeKalb County
At school I am involved in sports, clubs, or other extra-curricular activities (such as band, cheerleading, or student council).
- Not true at all
- A little true
- Pretty much true
- Very much true
Sites included in analysis: NM
In an average week when you are in school, how many total hours do you participate in afterschool activities such as sports, band, drama, or clubs run by your school or community groups?
- 0 hours
- 1 to 4 hours
- 5 to 9 hours
- 10 to 19 hours
- 20 or more hours
Sites included in analysis: VT
During an average week when you are in school, how many total hours do you participate in after school activities such as sports, band, drama, or clubs?
- 0 hours
- 1 to 4 hours
- 5 to 9 hours
- 10 to 19 hours
- 20 or more hours
Sites included in analysis: VA
Note: These questions were combined to create one variable measuring participation in extracurriculars and/or sports.
Percent of Students Who Have a Positive Connection with a Teacher or Other Adult at School
Homeless positive connection n=151,406
Housed positive connection n=1,839,844
Do you agree or disagree that your teachers really care about you and give you a lot of encouragement?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Not sure
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Sites included in analysis: AK, NC
Is there at least one teacher or other adult in your school that you can talk to if you have a problem?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure
Sites included in analysis: AR, CT, HI, ID, IL, MA, VT, WI
Do you agree or disagree that at least one of your teachers really cares and gives you help and support when you need it?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Not sure
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Site included in analysis: ME
At my school, there is a teacher or some other adult who listens to me when I have something to say.
- Not true at all
- A little true
- Pretty much true
- Very much true
Site included in analysis: NM
Note: These questions were combined to create one variable measuring how connected students felt to teachers and other school staff.
State Spotlight on Wisconsin: Student Responses to Whether Students Feel a Sense of Belonging at School
Homeless belonging n=10,367
Housed belonging n=224,173
Do you agree or disagree that you feel like you belong at your school?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Not sure
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
State Spotlight on Maine: Student Responses to Belief That Adults Address Conflict, Negative Language, and Bullying in Positive Ways
Homeless adults address conflict n=1,989
Housed adults address conflict n=49,959
How often do adults in your school address conflict, negative language, and bullying in positive ways to help students?
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Most of the time
- Always
1.2 Safety
Percent of Students Who Were Bullied at School or Electronically in the Past Year
Homeless bullying n=405,251
Housed bullying n=4,824,918
Note: Both bullying questions were combined into one bullying indicator.
Percent of Students Who Were Bullied for Sexual Orientation, Appearance, Race, or Gender
Homeless LGBQ (pooled) n=139,123
Housed LGBQ (pooled) n=1,579,223
Homeless physical appearance (Palm Beach) n=5,366
Housed physical appearance (Palm Beach) n=41,373
Homeless race/ethnicity (ID) n=2,806
Housed race/ethnicity (ID) n=71,918
Homeless gender (WI) n=10,054
Housed gender (WI) n=223,318
During the past 12 months, have you ever been the victim of teasing or name calling because someone thought you were gay, lesbian, or bisexual?
- Yes
- No
Sites included in analysis: AR, DeKalb County, ID, IL, KS, Los Angeles, MT, NC, Oakland, Palm Beach, WI
During the past 12 months, have you ever been the victim of teasing or name calling because of your weight, size, or physical appearance?
- Yes
- No
Site included in analysis: Palm Beach
During the past 12 months, have you ever been the victim of teasing or name calling because of your race or ethnic background?
- Yes
- No
Site included in analysis: ID
During the past 12 months, have you ever been the victim of teasing or name calling because of your gender?
- Yes
- No
Site included in analysis: WI
State Spotlight on Arkansas: Do Students in Arkansas Think Harassment and Bullying Are Problems at Their Schools?
Homeless bullying problem n=30,992
Housed bullying problem n=95,102
Do you agree or disagree that harassment and bullying by other students in a problem at your school?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Not sure
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
State Spotlight on Arkansas: How Often Do Students in Arkansas Feel Safe and Secure at School?
Homeless safe at school n=31,537
Housed safe at school n=95,585
How often do you feel safe and secure at school?
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Most of the time
- Always
Percent of Students Who Missed School During the Past Month Due to Feeling Unsafe
Homeless missed school n=414,050
Housed missed school n=4,660,448
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you not go to school because you felt you would be unsafe at school or on your way to or from school?
- 0 days
- 1 day
- 2 or 3 days
- 4 or 5 days
- 6 or more days
Sites included in analysis: AK, AR, CA, Cleveland, CO, CT, DeKalb County, DE, HI, ID, IL, KS, Los Angeles, ME, MA, MT, NH, NM, New York City, NC, Oakland, Palm Beach, PA, Philadelphia, VT, VA, WI
Percent of Students Who Were Threatened, Got in a Fight, or Carried a Weapon at School
Homeless threatened n= 416,503
Housed threatened n= 4,669,390
Homeless fight n= 325,494
Housed fight n= 4,087,045
Homeless weapon n= 385,817
Housed weapon n= 4,557,305
During the past 12 months, how many times has someone threatened or injured you with a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property?
- 0 times
- 1 time
- 2 or 3 times
- 4 or 5 times
- 6 or 7 times
- 8 or 9 times
- 10 or 11 times
- 12 or more times
Sites included in analysis: AR, CA, Cleveland, CO, CT, DeKalb County, DE, ID, IL, KS, KY, Los Angeles, ME, MA, MT, NH, New York City, NC, Oakland, Palm Beach, PA, Philadelphia, VT, VA, WI
During the past 12 months, how many times were you in a physical fight on school property?
- 0 times
- 1 time
- 2 or 3 times
- 4 or 5 times
- 6 or 7 times
- 8 or 9 times
- 10 or 11 times
- 12 or more times
Sites included in analysis: AK, AR, CA, DE, ID, IL, KS, KY, ME, MA, MT, NM, NC, Oakland, Palm Beach, PA, Philadelphia, VT, VA, WI
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you carry a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property?
- 0 days
- 1 day
- 2 or 3 days
- 4 or 5 days
- 6 or more days
Sites included in analysis: AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DeKalb County, DE, ID, IL, KY, ME, MA, MT, NH, NM, New York City, NC, Oakland, Palm Beach, PA, Philadelphia, VT, VA, WI
State Spotlight on North Carolina: Percent of Students in North Carolina Who Said There Is Gang Activity in Their School
Homeless gang activity n=45,781
Housed gang activity n=364,765
Is there gang activity in your school?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure
State Spotlight on Wisconsin: Student Responses to Perception that VIolence Is a Problem in Their Schools
Homeless violence problem n=10,570
Housed violence problem n=224,558
Do you agree or disagree that violence is a problem at your school?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Not sure
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
1.3 Environment
Percent of Students Who Said They Had Been Offered, Sold, or Given Drugs on School Property in the Past Year
Homeless drugs at school n=369,011
Housed drugs at school n=4,583,146
During the past 12 months, has anyone offered, sold, or given you an illegal drug on school property?
- Yes
- No
Sites included in analysis: AR, CA, Cleveland, CO, CT, Dekalb County, DE, ID, IL, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MT, NH, NM, NC, Oakland, Palm Beach, PA, Philadelphia, VT, VA, WI
Percent of Students Who Drank, Smoked Cigarettes, or Used Marijuana at School in the Past Month
Homeless alcohol (NM) n=6,532
Housed alcohol (NM) n=84,417
Homeless cigarettes (KY) n=10,945
Housed cigarettes (KY) n=169,525
Homeless marijuana (ID) n=2,869
Housed marijuana (ID) n=71,879
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you have at least one drink of alcohol on school property?
- 0 days
- 1 or 2 days
- 3 to 5 days
- 6 to 9 days
- 10 to 19 days
- 20 to 29 days
- All 30 days
Sites included in analysis: NM
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you smoke cigarettes on school property?
- 0 days
- 1 or 2 days
- 3 to 5 days
- 6 to 9 days
- 10 to 19 days
- 20 to 29 days
- All 30 days
Sites included in analysis: KY
During the past 30 days, how many times did you use marijuana on school property?
- 0 times
- 1 or 2 times
- 3 to 9 times
- 10 to 19 times
- 20 to 39 times
- 40 or more times
Sites included in analysis: ID
State Spotlight on New Mexico: Student Responses to Existence of Clear School Rules
Homeless clear rules n=6,665
Housed clear rules n=82,191
In my school, there are clear rules about what students can and cannot do.
- Not true at all
- A little true
- Pretty much true
- Very much true
State Spotlight on Maine: Student Responses to Whether Schools Are Enforcing Rules Fairly
Homeless fair rules n=1,975
Housed fair rules n=49,872
How often does your school enforce rules fairly?
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Most of the time
- Always
City Spotlight on NYC: Percent of Students Who Got Help from a Counselor, Social Worker, or Therapist at School in the Past Year
Homeless school-based counselor n=26,823
Housed school-based counselor n=156,991
During the past 12 months, did you get help from a counselor, social worker or therapist at school for an emotional or personal issue that you could not face alone?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure
City Spotlight on NYC: Percent of Students Who Have Ever Gone to the Nurse or Clinic at School
Homeless school nurse n=23,972
Housed school nurse n=159,657
Have you ever gone to the nurse or clinic at this school?
- Yes
- No
2.0 The Cumulative Impact of Negative School Climate Among Homeless High School Students
Part 2 only includes data for AR, CT, ID, IL, ME, MA, NM, NC, VT, and WI, as these are the only geographies that ask all 4 indicators on school climate in this section (bullying, missing school due to feeling unsafe, lacking positive relationships with teachers or adults at school, and being offered, sold, or given illicit drugs on school property). As this section analyzes results from fewer geographies, some overall numbers might differ from the previous section or other ICPH reports.
2.1 Homeless Students Disproportionately Experience Negative School Climates
Number of Negative School Climate Indicators Experienced by Housing Status
Homeless negative school climate indicators n=121,692
Housed negative school climate indicators n=1,752,894
Percent of Homeless and Housed Students by Number of Negative School Climate Indicators Experienced
Zero negative indicators n=799,101
One negative indicator n=683,542
Two negative indicators n=296,153
Three negative indicators n=80,580
Four negative indicators n=15,211
2.2 The Impact of School Climate on Homeless Students’ Academic Outcomes and Mental Health
Percent of Homeless Students Who Got Mostly A’s or B’s, by Number of Negative School Climate Indicators
Zero negative indicators n=23,490
One negative indicator n=37,206
Two negative indicators n=32,862
Three negative indicators n=14,123
Four negative indicators n=3,025
During the past 12 months, how would you describe your grades in school?
- Mostly A’s
- Mostly B’s
- Mostly C’s
- Mostly D’s
- Mostly F’s
- None of these grades
- Not sure
Note: For analysis purposes, “None of these grades” and “Not sure” were counted as missing.
Percent of Homeless Students Who Plan to Attend College, by Number of Negative School Climate Indicators
Zero negative indicators n=4,545
One negative indicator n=8,045
Two negative indicators n=5,899
Three negative indicators n=3,629
Four negative indicators n=925
How likely is it that you will complete a post high school program such as a vocational training program, military service, community college, or 4-year college?
- Definitely will not
- Probably will not
- Probably will
- Definitely will
- Not sure
Note: This analysis includes only CT, ID, MA, and VT, as these are the only sites that asked this question.
Percent of Homeless Students Who Were Depressed, by Number of Negative School Climate Indicators
Zero negative indicators n=25,093
One negative indicator n=40,166
Two negative indicators n=33,942
Three negative indicators n=14,719
Four negative indicators n=3,733
During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?
- Yes
- No
Percent of Homeless Students Who Attempted Suicide, by Number of Negative School Climate Indicators
Zero negative indicators n=20,883
One negative indicator n=31,194
Two negative indicators n=27,188
Three negative indicators n=13,138
Four negative indicators n=3,478
During the past 12 months, how many times did you actually attempt suicide?
- 0 times
- 1 time
- 2 or 3 times
- 4 or 5 times
- 6 or more times