As in previous years, Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) is participating in the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS). The CHKS is a survey designed to help us better understand and support student needs. 

The CHKS is administered to students in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11. The testing window will go through April 5, 2024. Your child’s school determines specific administration dates within this window. You should have already received information from your child’s school about this.

The survey measures students’ experiences related to school climate and culture, health risks, behaviors, and youth resiliency. It is anonymous and confidential, and the data collected from the survey will be used to make data-driven decisions to improve school climate and student learning environments. Students can skip questions they are not comfortable answering. 

The survey is focused on five areas for guiding school and student improvement:

• Student connectedness, learning engagement/motivation, and attendance;

• School climate, culture, and conditions;

• School safety, including bullying;

• Physical and mental well-being; 

• Alcohol and other drugs (secondary students only); and

• Student support, including resilience-promoting developmental factors (caring relationships, high expectations, and meaningful participation).

Students in grade 5 require a parent to complete an opt-in form to participate in the survey. Students in grades 7, 9, and 11 will take the survey unless a parent/guardian completes an opt-out form. 

For specific information about your school’s testing window or the survey, please contact your child’s school. You may also visit the District’s California Healthy Kids Survey Website for additional information, including copies of survey questions.