Illinois Youth Survey

Registration for the 2026 Illinois Youth Survey is now OPEN!

Register your school by clicking this link.

What is the Illinois Youth Survey?

The Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) is a confidential, voluntary survey administered to students across Illinois in grades 8, 10, and 12. Conducted by the University of Illinois' Center for Prevention Research and Development, the IYS gathers important information about the attitudes and behaviors of Illinois youth regarding substance use, mental health, school climate, bullying, nutrition, and physical activity.

Since its inception, the IYS has been an essential resource for schools, public health organizations, and community leaders to better understand youth experiences and trends — ultimately helping create more supportive and safer environments for students.

Key Features of the IYS

Confidential and anonymous: Individual students’ identities are protected.
No cost: The survey administration and reports are provided at no charge to schools.
Customizable participation: Schools can choose which grades to survey and opt into several optional modules.
Flexible administration: Administered during the school day, typically within one class period.

When Should the Survey be Administered?

The IYS is administered in schools every other year. The specific date are up to the discretion of each school, but the DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team (PLT) recommends the survey be administered before spring break and prom to reduce the possibility of skewed results.

Why Should Your School Participate?

Participating in the Illinois Youth Survey offers your school several critical benefits:

Data to Inform Decisions: The IYS provides school-specific data reports (available for free) that highlight local trends and challenges. This allows administrators to make data-driven decisions when designing programs, interventions, and policies to support student health and well-being.
Identify Student Needs Early: Results can reveal emerging issues such as increased anxiety, vaping trends, or bullying concerns — empowering your school to address problems proactively rather than reactively.
Support Grant Applications and Funding Requests: Many federal, state, and private grants require evidence of community needs. Your IYS data provides credible, local evidence to strengthen grant applications for funding related to mental health services, substance use prevention, violence prevention, and more.
Enhance Community and Parent Engagement: Sharing key findings with parents, staff, and community partners fosters transparency and collaboration — showing that your school is committed to listening to student voices and using real data to improve their educational experience.
Measure the Impact of Programs Over Time: If your school implements new prevention initiatives or wellness programs, future IYS data can help track progress and evaluate effectiveness, ensuring your efforts are making a difference.