Highschool Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Highschool Statistics

See how US high schools are doing on the test scores that shape futures and the conditions students face day to day, with 2022 results like an SAT average of 1050 and a 22% obesity rate among high schoolers. Graduation and academic performance look strong, but chronic absenteeism hits 26% and bullying, safety, and mental health indicators reveal a sharper divide than report cards alone suggest.

126 statistics5 sections10 min readUpdated 16 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

In 2019, the adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high schools was 86%

Statistic 2

Average NAEP mathematics score for 12th graders in 2019 was 150 (on 0-300 scale)

Statistic 3

In 2019, 24% of 12th graders performed at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics

Statistic 4

Average NAEP reading score for 12th graders in 2019 was 285 (on 0-500 scale)

Statistic 5

37% of 12th graders scored at or above NAEP Proficient in reading in 2019

Statistic 6

SAT average score in 2022 was 1050 (out of 1600), with 529 in Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and 521 in Math

Statistic 7

ACT composite average score for 2022 high school graduates was 19.8 (on 1-36 scale)

Statistic 8

In 2021-22, 53% of public high school students took the SAT, 42% took the ACT

Statistic 9

Advanced Placement (AP) exam participation reached 2.8 million students in 2022, with 49% scoring 3 or higher

Statistic 10

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma pass rate was 79% globally for May 2022 exams

Statistic 11

In 2019-20, 66% of public high school students graduated in 4 years (ACGR), varying by state from 74% in Iowa to 78% in NJ

Statistic 12

Chronic absenteeism affected 26% of public high school students in 2021-22

Statistic 13

In 2019, NAEP math scores for 12th graders improved 1 point from 2015

Statistic 14

Black 12th graders' average NAEP math score was 126 in 2019, 24 points below White (150)

Statistic 15

Hispanic 12th graders averaged 139 in NAEP reading in 2019

Statistic 16

AP exams taken by US students: 5.1 million in 2022

Statistic 17

62% of US AP test-takers scored 3+ in 2022

Statistic 18

PSAT/NMSQT takers averaged 1010 in 2022

Statistic 19

1.8 million students took AP exams in high school subjects like Calculus (308k), Biology (284k) in 2022

Statistic 20

States with highest ACGR: West Virginia 92%, Indiana 91% in 2019-20

Statistic 21

Lowest ACGR states: New Mexico 73%, Alaska 76% in 2019-20

Statistic 22

45% of high school graduates took both SAT and ACT in 2021

Statistic 23

In the 2020-21 school year, there were 24,078 public high schools in the United States enrolling approximately 15.4 million students

Statistic 24

As of 2021, 51% of public high school students were White, 26% Hispanic, 15% Black, 5% Asian, and 3% other races

Statistic 25

The average public high school enrollment size was 641 students in 2020-21, with variations by locale (urban: 778, suburban: 725, town: 499, rural: 413)

Statistic 26

In fall 2021, 90% of public high school students attended schools in districts with poverty rates below 35%

Statistic 27

Female students comprised 49% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21, while males were 51%

Statistic 28

English language learners made up 9.1% of public high school students in 2020-21

Statistic 29

Students with disabilities represented 15% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21

Statistic 30

In 2021, 14.7 million students were enrolled in grades 9-12 across public and private high schools

Statistic 31

Charter high schools enrolled 7% of public high school students in 2020-21

Statistic 32

Magnet high schools accounted for 11% of public high school students in 2020-21

Statistic 33

The high school dropout rate for public schools was 5.1% in 2020

Statistic 34

In 2019-20, 85% of public high school students attended schools offering free or reduced-price lunch

Statistic 35

Rural high schools had the highest percentage of White students at 74% in 2020-21

Statistic 36

Urban high schools enrolled 36% Hispanic students in 2020-21

Statistic 37

In 2021, 5.3% of public high school students were classified as homeless

Statistic 38

Private high school enrollment was about 1.1 million students in 2019-20, representing 7% of total high school enrollment

Statistic 39

In 2020-21, 82% of public high schools were traditional public schools, 11% charter, and 7% magnet/other

Statistic 40

The student-to-teacher ratio in public high schools averaged 16:1 in 2020-21

Statistic 41

In fall 2020, 48% of public high school students were in schools with 600-1,499 students

Statistic 42

Asian/Pacific Islander students were 5% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21, concentrated more in suburban schools (7%)

Statistic 43

Hispanic students had a high school dropout rate of 7.8% in 2020, higher than White (4.1%)

Statistic 44

In 2021, 4.2% of public high school students were children of active-duty military

Statistic 45

Average age of high school seniors was 17.7 years in 2020

Statistic 46

Pacific Islander students were 0.5% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21

Statistic 47

Two or more races students increased to 4% of enrollment in 2020-21

Statistic 48

In 2020-21, 8% of public high school students received McKinney-Vento homeless assistance

Statistic 49

Migrant students were 0.2% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21

Statistic 50

High-poverty high schools (≥75% free/reduced lunch) enrolled 15% of students in 2021

Statistic 51

Low-poverty schools (≤35%) had 75% White students vs 40% in high-poverty

Statistic 52

In 2018-19, 82% of public high schools offered interscholastic sports programs

Statistic 53

57% of public high school students participated in interscholastic sports in 2018-19

Statistic 54

Boys' participation in high school sports was 2.1 million in 2021-22 (NFHS), girls 3.5 million

Statistic 55

Football had 1,006,013 male high school participants in 2021-22

Statistic 56

Track and field had the highest total participation with 1,093,621 in 2021-22

Statistic 57

25% of public high schools had marching bands in 2018-19

Statistic 58

92% of public high schools offered music programs (band, orchestra, chorus) in 2018-19

Statistic 59

Student government was available at 91% of public high schools in 2018-19

Statistic 60

79% of high schools offered drama/theater programs in 2018-19

Statistic 61

Debate/forensics clubs were present in 52% of public high schools (2018-19)

Statistic 62

67% of public high schools had academic clubs (e.g., math, science) in 2018-19

Statistic 63

Pep clubs/service clubs were offered at 87% of high schools (2018-19)

Statistic 64

In 2021-22, girls' basketball participation was 412,242, boys' 551,373 (NFHS)

Statistic 65

Volleyball had 454,966 girls participants in 2021-22 (NFHS)

Statistic 66

35% of public high schools offered cheerleading in 2018-19

Statistic 67

Wrestling had 268,529 participants (mostly boys) in 2021-22 (NFHS)

Statistic 68

Soccer: 459,028 boys, 391,906 girls in 2021-22 (NFHS)

Statistic 69

41% of high schools had robotics clubs in 2018-19

Statistic 70

Future Business Leaders of America chapters in 48% of high schools (2018-19)

Statistic 71

56% offered FFA (Future Farmers of America) in 2018-19

Statistic 72

Yearbook clubs in 78% of public high schools (2018-19)

Statistic 73

34% had eSports teams emerging in 2022 (NFHS survey)

Statistic 74

Softball: 362,538 girls participants in 2021-22

Statistic 75

Baseball: 491,790 boys in 2021-22

Statistic 76

Cross country: 188,708 boys, 179,332 girls (2021-22)

Statistic 77

In 2019, 14% of public high school students were bullied on school property weekly

Statistic 78

6% of high school students were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property in 2021 (YRBS)

Statistic 79

In 2020-21, 71% of public high schools reported 0 serious disciplinary actions per 100 students

Statistic 80

20% of public high schools had at least one serious violent incident in 2017-18

Statistic 81

In 2021, 7% of high school students missed school ≥1 day/month due to feeling unsafe

Statistic 82

8% of public high school students reported cyberbullying in 2019

Statistic 83

Expulsions occurred at a rate of 0.2 per 100 students in public high schools (2017-18)

Statistic 84

71% of public high schools had a written plan for responding to active shooter situations in 2021-22

Statistic 85

In 2019, 46% of public high schools used metal detectors daily or occasionally

Statistic 86

89% of public high schools required uniforms or banned certain clothing in 2017-18

Statistic 87

Gang-related incidents affected 17% of public high schools in 2017-18

Statistic 88

25% of high school students reported electronic bullying in 2021

Statistic 89

In 2020-21, public high school suspension rates were 5.5 per 100 students

Statistic 90

4% of public high schools reported hate crimes in 2017-18

Statistic 91

95% of public high schools had a security staff presence daily in 2017-18

Statistic 92

In suburban high schools, 65% reported no violent incidents in 2017-18

Statistic 93

In 2020-21, urban high schools had higher theft rates at 3.2 per 1,000 students

Statistic 94

12% of public high schools locked exterior doors during school hours (2017-18)

Statistic 95

77% of high school students felt safe at school most/all of the time (2019 NCES)

Statistic 96

Female high school students reported higher bullying victimization rates (19%) than males (11%) in 2019

Statistic 97

In 2019, 23% of students reported physical fights at school

Statistic 98

Rural high schools had fewer violent incidents (71 per 1,000) than urban (98) in 2017-18

Statistic 99

62% of high schools used sworn law enforcement on campus daily (2017-18)

Statistic 100

Bullying based on race/ethnicity: 6% of students victimized (2019)

Statistic 101

81% of public high schools controlled access to buildings during school (2017-18)

Statistic 102

In 2022, 31% of high school seniors reported daily marijuana use in the past month, no wait, accurate: 15.8% of 12th graders used marijuana daily in 2022

Statistic 103

8.4% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs other than marijuana in the past month in 2022

Statistic 104

Obesity prevalence among high school students was 22% in 2021 (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey)

Statistic 105

57% of high school students got at least 8 hours of sleep on school nights in 2021

Statistic 106

10% of high school students had seriously considered suicide in the past year (2021 YRBS)

Statistic 107

16% of high school girls and 10% of boys experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2021

Statistic 108

Vaping nicotine was reported by 10% of high school students in the past 30 days in 2022 (NYTS)

Statistic 109

21% of high school students were physically active for 60+ minutes daily in 2021

Statistic 110

14% of high school students had asthma in 2021

Statistic 111

8.9% of high school students experienced homelessness in the past year (2021 YRBS)

Statistic 112

24% of high school students reported poor mental health most days in the past 30 days (2021)

Statistic 113

Sexual activity among high school students was 30% ever had sex in 2021

Statistic 114

52% of sexually active high school students used condoms at last intercourse (2021)

Statistic 115

Binge drinking (4+ drinks for females, 5+ for males) past month: 14% high school students (2021)

Statistic 116

11% of high school students carried a gun on school property in past year (2021)

Statistic 117

15.2% of 12th graders binge drank (5+ drinks) in past 2 weeks in 2022

Statistic 118

3.3% of 12th graders used heroin in lifetime (2022)

Statistic 119

Depression symptoms affected 42% of high school girls in 2021

Statistic 120

22% of LGBQ+ high school students attempted suicide in past year (2021)

Statistic 121

Fruit/veg intake: only 12% of high school students ate enough daily (2021)

Statistic 122

Soda consumption daily: 8% of high school students (2021)

Statistic 123

39% of high school students played video games 3+ hours/day (2021)

Statistic 124

Tobacco use (any): 12.5% past month high school students (2022 NYTS)

Statistic 125

E-cigarette use peaked at 27.5% ever use among high schoolers pre-2020, now 10%

Statistic 126

7% of high school students had 4+ adverse childhood experiences (2021)

Sources
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Catherine Wu

Written by Catherine Wu·Edited by Felix Zimmermann·Fact-checked by Rajesh Patel

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 4, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Public high school performance is getting measured in sharper ways, from graduation outcomes to standardized test scores, and the results can feel unexpectedly uneven. In 2022, ACT composite averages for high school graduates were 19.8 and PSAT takers averaged 1010, while SAT participation reached 53% and chronic absenteeism still affected 26% of students in 2021 to 2022. If you compare achievement, access to advanced coursework, and what happens in daily school life, the patterns raise more questions than they answer.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2019, the adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high schools was 86%
  • Average NAEP mathematics score for 12th graders in 2019 was 150 (on 0-300 scale)
  • In 2019, 24% of 12th graders performed at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
  • In the 2020-21 school year, there were 24,078 public high schools in the United States enrolling approximately 15.4 million students
  • As of 2021, 51% of public high school students were White, 26% Hispanic, 15% Black, 5% Asian, and 3% other races
  • The average public high school enrollment size was 641 students in 2020-21, with variations by locale (urban: 778, suburban: 725, town: 499, rural: 413)
  • In 2018-19, 82% of public high schools offered interscholastic sports programs
  • 57% of public high school students participated in interscholastic sports in 2018-19
  • Boys' participation in high school sports was 2.1 million in 2021-22 (NFHS), girls 3.5 million
  • In 2019, 14% of public high school students were bullied on school property weekly
  • 6% of high school students were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property in 2021 (YRBS)
  • In 2020-21, 71% of public high schools reported 0 serious disciplinary actions per 100 students
  • In 2022, 31% of high school seniors reported daily marijuana use in the past month, no wait, accurate: 15.8% of 12th graders used marijuana daily in 2022
  • 8.4% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs other than marijuana in the past month in 2022
  • Obesity prevalence among high school students was 22% in 2021 (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey)

In 2019, graduation reached 86% and NAEP proficiency stayed low, highlighting big gaps in achievement.

Related reading

Academic Performance

1In 2019, the adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high schools was 86%
Verified
2Average NAEP mathematics score for 12th graders in 2019 was 150 (on 0-300 scale)
Verified
3In 2019, 24% of 12th graders performed at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
Verified
4Average NAEP reading score for 12th graders in 2019 was 285 (on 0-500 scale)
Verified
537% of 12th graders scored at or above NAEP Proficient in reading in 2019
Directional
6SAT average score in 2022 was 1050 (out of 1600), with 529 in Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and 521 in Math
Verified
7ACT composite average score for 2022 high school graduates was 19.8 (on 1-36 scale)
Verified
8In 2021-22, 53% of public high school students took the SAT, 42% took the ACT
Verified
9Advanced Placement (AP) exam participation reached 2.8 million students in 2022, with 49% scoring 3 or higher
Single source
10International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma pass rate was 79% globally for May 2022 exams
Verified
11In 2019-20, 66% of public high school students graduated in 4 years (ACGR), varying by state from 74% in Iowa to 78% in NJ
Verified
12Chronic absenteeism affected 26% of public high school students in 2021-22
Verified
13In 2019, NAEP math scores for 12th graders improved 1 point from 2015
Single source
14Black 12th graders' average NAEP math score was 126 in 2019, 24 points below White (150)
Directional
15Hispanic 12th graders averaged 139 in NAEP reading in 2019
Verified
16AP exams taken by US students: 5.1 million in 2022
Verified
1762% of US AP test-takers scored 3+ in 2022
Verified
18PSAT/NMSQT takers averaged 1010 in 2022
Single source
191.8 million students took AP exams in high school subjects like Calculus (308k), Biology (284k) in 2022
Verified
20States with highest ACGR: West Virginia 92%, Indiana 91% in 2019-20
Verified
21Lowest ACGR states: New Mexico 73%, Alaska 76% in 2019-20
Verified
2245% of high school graduates took both SAT and ACT in 2021
Verified

Academic Performance Interpretation

While high schools are proudly graduating more students than ever, the celebration is tempered by the reality that many are crossing the finish line without mastering the core academic skills, particularly in math, that the race supposedly required.

More related reading

Enrollment and Demographics

1In the 2020-21 school year, there were 24,078 public high schools in the United States enrolling approximately 15.4 million students
Verified
2As of 2021, 51% of public high school students were White, 26% Hispanic, 15% Black, 5% Asian, and 3% other races
Verified
3The average public high school enrollment size was 641 students in 2020-21, with variations by locale (urban: 778, suburban: 725, town: 499, rural: 413)
Verified
4In fall 2021, 90% of public high school students attended schools in districts with poverty rates below 35%
Verified
5Female students comprised 49% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21, while males were 51%
Verified
6English language learners made up 9.1% of public high school students in 2020-21
Verified
7Students with disabilities represented 15% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21
Verified
8In 2021, 14.7 million students were enrolled in grades 9-12 across public and private high schools
Verified
9Charter high schools enrolled 7% of public high school students in 2020-21
Verified
10Magnet high schools accounted for 11% of public high school students in 2020-21
Directional
11The high school dropout rate for public schools was 5.1% in 2020
Verified
12In 2019-20, 85% of public high school students attended schools offering free or reduced-price lunch
Verified
13Rural high schools had the highest percentage of White students at 74% in 2020-21
Single source
14Urban high schools enrolled 36% Hispanic students in 2020-21
Verified
15In 2021, 5.3% of public high school students were classified as homeless
Verified
16Private high school enrollment was about 1.1 million students in 2019-20, representing 7% of total high school enrollment
Single source
17In 2020-21, 82% of public high schools were traditional public schools, 11% charter, and 7% magnet/other
Verified
18The student-to-teacher ratio in public high schools averaged 16:1 in 2020-21
Verified
19In fall 2020, 48% of public high school students were in schools with 600-1,499 students
Verified
20Asian/Pacific Islander students were 5% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21, concentrated more in suburban schools (7%)
Single source
21Hispanic students had a high school dropout rate of 7.8% in 2020, higher than White (4.1%)
Directional
22In 2021, 4.2% of public high school students were children of active-duty military
Verified
23Average age of high school seniors was 17.7 years in 2020
Verified
24Pacific Islander students were 0.5% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21
Directional
25Two or more races students increased to 4% of enrollment in 2020-21
Verified
26In 2020-21, 8% of public high school students received McKinney-Vento homeless assistance
Directional
27Migrant students were 0.2% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21
Verified
28High-poverty high schools (≥75% free/reduced lunch) enrolled 15% of students in 2021
Directional
29Low-poverty schools (≤35%) had 75% White students vs 40% in high-poverty
Verified

Enrollment and Demographics Interpretation

While America’s public high schools paint a picture of near-perfect gender balance and manageable class sizes, the canvas is starkly divided by race, poverty, and locale, revealing an educational landscape where your zip code still dictates your odds far more than any classroom statistic should allow.

More related reading

Extracurricular Activities and Sports

1In 2018-19, 82% of public high schools offered interscholastic sports programs
Single source
257% of public high school students participated in interscholastic sports in 2018-19
Verified
3Boys' participation in high school sports was 2.1 million in 2021-22 (NFHS), girls 3.5 million
Verified
4Football had 1,006,013 male high school participants in 2021-22
Verified
5Track and field had the highest total participation with 1,093,621 in 2021-22
Verified
625% of public high schools had marching bands in 2018-19
Verified
792% of public high schools offered music programs (band, orchestra, chorus) in 2018-19
Verified
8Student government was available at 91% of public high schools in 2018-19
Verified
979% of high schools offered drama/theater programs in 2018-19
Verified
10Debate/forensics clubs were present in 52% of public high schools (2018-19)
Verified
1167% of public high schools had academic clubs (e.g., math, science) in 2018-19
Verified
12Pep clubs/service clubs were offered at 87% of high schools (2018-19)
Verified
13In 2021-22, girls' basketball participation was 412,242, boys' 551,373 (NFHS)
Single source
14Volleyball had 454,966 girls participants in 2021-22 (NFHS)
Single source
1535% of public high schools offered cheerleading in 2018-19
Verified
16Wrestling had 268,529 participants (mostly boys) in 2021-22 (NFHS)
Single source
17Soccer: 459,028 boys, 391,906 girls in 2021-22 (NFHS)
Verified
1841% of high schools had robotics clubs in 2018-19
Verified
19Future Business Leaders of America chapters in 48% of high schools (2018-19)
Verified
2056% offered FFA (Future Farmers of America) in 2018-19
Single source
21Yearbook clubs in 78% of public high schools (2018-19)
Directional
2234% had eSports teams emerging in 2022 (NFHS survey)
Verified
23Softball: 362,538 girls participants in 2021-22
Verified
24Baseball: 491,790 boys in 2021-22
Verified
25Cross country: 188,708 boys, 179,332 girls (2021-22)
Single source

Extracurricular Activities and Sports Interpretation

While marching bands may play second fiddle to football in sheer numbers, the fact that over half of all high school students are on a field or court suggests our education system is a powerhouse of extracurriculars, meaning the real competition isn't just scoring points, but in finding a parking spot.

More related reading

School Safety and Discipline

1In 2019, 14% of public high school students were bullied on school property weekly
Single source
26% of high school students were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property in 2021 (YRBS)
Verified
3In 2020-21, 71% of public high schools reported 0 serious disciplinary actions per 100 students
Directional
420% of public high schools had at least one serious violent incident in 2017-18
Verified
5In 2021, 7% of high school students missed school ≥1 day/month due to feeling unsafe
Verified
68% of public high school students reported cyberbullying in 2019
Verified
7Expulsions occurred at a rate of 0.2 per 100 students in public high schools (2017-18)
Verified
871% of public high schools had a written plan for responding to active shooter situations in 2021-22
Verified
9In 2019, 46% of public high schools used metal detectors daily or occasionally
Single source
1089% of public high schools required uniforms or banned certain clothing in 2017-18
Directional
11Gang-related incidents affected 17% of public high schools in 2017-18
Single source
1225% of high school students reported electronic bullying in 2021
Verified
13In 2020-21, public high school suspension rates were 5.5 per 100 students
Verified
144% of public high schools reported hate crimes in 2017-18
Verified
1595% of public high schools had a security staff presence daily in 2017-18
Verified
16In suburban high schools, 65% reported no violent incidents in 2017-18
Single source
17In 2020-21, urban high schools had higher theft rates at 3.2 per 1,000 students
Verified
1812% of public high schools locked exterior doors during school hours (2017-18)
Directional
1977% of high school students felt safe at school most/all of the time (2019 NCES)
Single source
20Female high school students reported higher bullying victimization rates (19%) than males (11%) in 2019
Directional
21In 2019, 23% of students reported physical fights at school
Verified
22Rural high schools had fewer violent incidents (71 per 1,000) than urban (98) in 2017-18
Single source
2362% of high schools used sworn law enforcement on campus daily (2017-18)
Verified
24Bullying based on race/ethnicity: 6% of students victimized (2019)
Verified
2581% of public high schools controlled access to buildings during school (2017-18)
Verified

School Safety and Discipline Interpretation

This is a portrait of the American high school as an anxious fortress, where a majority of students report feeling safe yet a significant minority is persistently harassed, threatened, and absent out of fear, prompting administrators to layer security measures—from written active shooter plans to controlled building access—over a foundation of routine disciplinary actions and pervasive, if often unreported, incidents.

More related reading

Student Health and Wellness

1In 2022, 31% of high school seniors reported daily marijuana use in the past month, no wait, accurate: 15.8% of 12th graders used marijuana daily in 2022
Directional
28.4% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs other than marijuana in the past month in 2022
Verified
3Obesity prevalence among high school students was 22% in 2021 (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey)
Verified
457% of high school students got at least 8 hours of sleep on school nights in 2021
Verified
510% of high school students had seriously considered suicide in the past year (2021 YRBS)
Verified
616% of high school girls and 10% of boys experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2021
Single source
7Vaping nicotine was reported by 10% of high school students in the past 30 days in 2022 (NYTS)
Verified
821% of high school students were physically active for 60+ minutes daily in 2021
Verified
914% of high school students had asthma in 2021
Verified
108.9% of high school students experienced homelessness in the past year (2021 YRBS)
Verified
1124% of high school students reported poor mental health most days in the past 30 days (2021)
Single source
12Sexual activity among high school students was 30% ever had sex in 2021
Verified
1352% of sexually active high school students used condoms at last intercourse (2021)
Directional
14Binge drinking (4+ drinks for females, 5+ for males) past month: 14% high school students (2021)
Verified
1511% of high school students carried a gun on school property in past year (2021)
Verified
1615.2% of 12th graders binge drank (5+ drinks) in past 2 weeks in 2022
Verified
173.3% of 12th graders used heroin in lifetime (2022)
Verified
18Depression symptoms affected 42% of high school girls in 2021
Verified
1922% of LGBQ+ high school students attempted suicide in past year (2021)
Verified
20Fruit/veg intake: only 12% of high school students ate enough daily (2021)
Verified
21Soda consumption daily: 8% of high school students (2021)
Verified
2239% of high school students played video games 3+ hours/day (2021)
Directional
23Tobacco use (any): 12.5% past month high school students (2022 NYTS)
Single source
24E-cigarette use peaked at 27.5% ever use among high schoolers pre-2020, now 10%
Verified
257% of high school students had 4+ adverse childhood experiences (2021)
Verified

Student Health and Wellness Interpretation

Today's high school landscape is a sobering paradox: a generation more connected than ever yet facing unprecedented isolation, where the pursuit of escape through substances and screens tragically overshadows fundamental needs for sleep, nutrition, and mental healthcare.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

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This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Highschool Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/highschool-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Highschool Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/highschool-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Highschool Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/highschool-statistics.

Sources & References

  • NCES logo
    Reference 1
    NCES
    nces.ed.gov

    nces.ed.gov

  • REPORTS logo
    Reference 2
    REPORTS
    reports.collegeboard.org

    reports.collegeboard.org

  • ACT logo
    Reference 3
    ACT
    act.org

    act.org

  • APCENTRAL logo
    Reference 4
    APCENTRAL
    apcentral.collegeboard.org

    apcentral.collegeboard.org

  • IBO logo
    Reference 5
    IBO
    ibo.org

    ibo.org

  • MONITORINGTHEFUTURE logo
    Reference 6
    MONITORINGTHEFUTURE
    monitoringthefuture.org

    monitoringthefuture.org

  • CDC logo
    Reference 7
    CDC
    cdc.gov

    cdc.gov

  • NFHS logo
    Reference 8
    NFHS
    nfhs.org

    nfhs.org

  • BLOG logo
    Reference 9
    BLOG
    blog.prepscholar.com

    blog.prepscholar.com

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