Family and Student Surveys/Screenings

Arlington Public Schools values student and family feedback to enhance learning, communication, and school support. We conduct surveys throughout the year on academics, school climate, family engagement, and student well-being. This page provides details on each survey, its purpose, and how families can manage participation for certain surveys.

PANORAMA SURVEYS

Panorama Surveys are administered twice a year. Once in the fall (October) and once in the spring (May).

Survey Name	Description	Is this survey Anonymous?	Who takes this survey?	Helpful Links
Panorama Student Survey	Gathers student feedback on school experiences, helping the district identify areas for improvement. Topics include cultural awareness, rigorous expectations, and sense of belonging.	Yes	Students Grades 3-11
Panorama SEL & Well-Being Survey	The Panorama SEL & Well-Being Survey collects student-level data on social-emotional skills and well-being to identify strengths and support needs.	No	Students Grades 3-11	SEL & Well-being survey questions can be previewed here: Grades 3-5 Grades 6-12 SEL & Well-Being Survey FAQ Social and Emotional Learning in Massachusetts
Panorama Department Survey - AHS	The Panorama Classroom-Level Surveys are being administered in grade 9 and 10 classes in ELA, Math, and Science and grade 11 students in History/SS to better understand students’ experiences in their day-to-day learning environments. These surveys focus on classroom instruction, climate, relationships, and support for learning, and are completed during regular class time. Unlike the schoolwide Panorama Student Survey administered during advisory, which gathers feedback on overall school experience, the classroom-level surveys help us examine how students experience individual courses. In particular, we are interested in how those experiences may differ for various groups of students and across different course levels. This information helps us promote equity and improve instruction across classrooms.	Yes	Students in grade 9 and 10 classes in ELA, Math, and Science and grade 11 students in History/SS
Panorama Family Survey	Also called the Family-School Relationships Survey, this gathers parent/guardian feedback on family engagement, school climate, barriers to involvement, and their relationship with the school to improve engagement practices.	Yes	Any family member or guardian who wishes to provide feedback can take the survey. Families are encouraged to complete a separate survey for each child to reflect their unique school experiences.

Instructions to opt your student out of the Panorama Survey can be found below.

For questions about the Student and Family Survey - please reach out Matthew Coleman: Director of Data Research, and Accountability [email protected]

For questions about SEL & Well-Being - please reach out to Magali Olander: Director of Social Emotional Learning & Counseling [email protected]

YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY (YRBS)

YRBS is administered in March, every other year.

Ottoson Middle School Survey Date: March 19, 2025 during ASPIRE

AHS Survey Date: March 20, 2025 during Advisory

Survey Name	Description	Is this survey Anonymous?	Who takes this survey?	Helpful Links
Youth Risk Behavior Survey	The YRBS is considered the primary source for comprehensive anonymous data on school-aged youth and young adult health practices and health risk behaviors. School districts, local communities, state governments, and public health organizations use YRBS data to set and track progress toward meeting school health and health promotion program goals, support modification of school health curricula or other programs, support new legislation and policies that promote health, and seek funding and other support for new initiatives.	Yes	Students Grades 7-11	Click here to view the 2023 Arlington YRBS Report

HOW TO OPT OUT OF PANORAMA SURVEYS AND YRBS IN POWERSCHOOL

Families can manage their student’s participation in the Panorama and YRBS surveys through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at any time.

For step-by-step instructions, please view this Survey Opt-Out Guide

💡 Important Notes:

Unanswered questions will be considered as consent.
The opt-out form is open year-round and can be updated anytime. Changes made after a survey is administered will apply to future surveys.

SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION, AND REFERRAL FOR TREATMENT (SBIRT)

SBIRT is required for one middle school grade and one high school grade. APS implements this for grades 7 in the spring and 9 in the fall.

Families will receive an email containing SBIRT information prior to screening dates, along with an opt-out form. Students may also opt-out at any time.

Survey Name	Description	Is this screening Anonymous?	Who takes this survey?	Helpful Links
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT)	SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment) in Schools is intended to identify substance use risk behaviors and to improve health, safety, resilience, and success in students.	No	Students Grades 7 and 9	MA Department of Health - SBIRT in Schools: FAQs

ENVISION ARLINGTON TOWN SURVEY

Survey Name	Description	Is this Anonymous?	Who takes this survey?	Helpful Links
Envision Arlington	Envision Arlington’s mission is to foster an engaged, culturally diverse, and civically active community. Our mission is guided by Arlington's values and aspirations, introduced as “Town Goals” when Vision 2020 was founded and now embodied in Arlington’s Master Plan.	Yes	Residents of Arlington	The 2025 Survey has closed.