The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) is one of the longest-running youth surveys in the nation. It is a triennial survey that began in 1989. The survey is an anonymous statewide school-based survey conducted to gain insights into the world of students and their experiences.
The 2025 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) was administered in the first half of 2025 to students in grades 5, 8, 9, and 11 statewide. The survey was voluntary at all levels; districts, schools, parents, and students could all choose to opt out. Many traditional public school districts (61%) chose to participate. Across the state, approximately 50% of fifth graders, 50% of eighth graders, 46% of ninth graders, and 36% of eleventh graders participated in the 2025 MSS. Overall participation across the four grades was approximately 45% of total enrollment.
Check out Minnesota Student Survey Data by Grade, topic, school district, county or statewide at: Data Reports and Analytics
2025 Minnesota Student Survey Fact Sheets
2024 Youth Wellness Survey
The Youth Wellness Survey was administered to Mora, Ogilvie, and Braham schools as a part of a collaboration between the Better Together Coalition, Kanabec County, and Wilder Research. The survey included questions on a variety of topics including substance use, mental health, risk/protective factors, caring relationships, and developmental assets.
Areas of concern from the 2024 Youth Wellness Survey
Alcohol Use
- Alcohol was the most used substance in the past 30 days and past 12 months by both Middle and High school students.
- 37% of students that drink alcohol have 5 or more drinks at one time.
- 40% of 12th grade students had drank alcohol in the past year.
Tobacco & Nicotine
- 10% of High School Students Reporting Vaping in the Past 30 days, the second most commonly reported substance.
- High rates of Vaping in the past 30 days for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.
- High rates of Cigarette use in the past 30 days for 10th and 12th grade students.
- Low perceived harm of vape use in High School students.
Marijuana
- Nearly one-third of 12th graders said they had used marijuana in the past 12 months.
- Low perceived harm of marijuana use in High School students.
Mental Health
- Many Students Experiencing Symptoms of Depression & Anxiety: Past two-week depression symptoms were reported by about one in five 7th and 9th graders, about one in four 8th and 10th graders, and about one in three 11th and 12th graders. Rates of past two-week anxiety symptoms were the same if not higher for some grade levels.
- Female students were more likely to report experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression in the past 2 weeks.
- High percentage of students are reporting long-term a mental health, behavioral/emotional problem.
- High percentage of students reporting self-harm and suicidal ideation.
- Female students were three times more likely to report ideation than males, and twice as likely to report a past-year attempt.
Mental Health & Substance Use
- Students who reported a long-term mental health problem, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, self-harm, and suicidal ideation were more likely to report substance use that those who did not.