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Introduction

Every year, the tragic loss of a child or teen to suicide reminds schools, families and communities of the urgent need for thoughtful, coordinated prevention efforts. While the focus of this article is K-12 school settings (including boarding schools), the lessons apply broadly to any educational environment where young people spend significant time. Our goal is to equip parents, educators and students with current evidence, policy context, practical steps and real-world examples to prevent suicide in schools.

The Scope of the Problem in 2025

Recent data show that youth suicide and suicidal ideation remain serious challenges. According to the Jed Foundation, 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year.
Among high school students, 20.4% reported seriously considering suicide in the past year; overall, 9.5% attempted suicide.
At the national level, the age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States was 14.12 per 100,000 in 2023.
In 2024, some states experienced alarming surges: for example, in Georgia youth suicides rose by 70% in one year.
These figures illustrate that suicide remains the second-leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults ages 10–34.
Schools are therefore a frontline environment for prevention, since students spend much of their day there, and many warning signs may present within the educational setting.

Why Schools Matter – and What to Focus On

In the school setting, prevention efforts must address multiple dimensions: promoting protective factors, identifying risk indicators early, ensuring timely

How Documentation and Paperwork Can Block Access to Public Schools

Access to public education is foundational in democratic societies. Yet increasingly, families — especially those who are low-income, transient, or immigrants — face a formidable barrier: documentation and administrative paperwork. From proof of residency to immunization records, paperwork requirements are intended to streamline enrolment but often end up blocking access to public schools for the very students who need them most.

In 2025 this issue remains pressing: districts are still requiring extensive documentation, and research continues to demonstrate how these requirements disproportionately affect vulnerable students. This article explores how documentation requirements act as gatekeepers, why they persist, what the legal landscape reveals, and what effective practices look like for ensuring equitable access to public schools.

The Role of Documentation in School Enrollment

When families attempt to enrol a child in a public school, the school typically asks for documentation such as:

• Proof of the child’s age (birth certificate or other valid record)

• Transcript or prior school records (for transfers)

• Immunization/health records

• Proof of district residence (utility bill, lease, affidavit)

• Guardianship or custody papers (if applicable)

• Valid photo ID of the enrolling adult

On their face, these make sense: districts have obligations for attendance boundaries, health and safety, and record-keeping.

How Public Schools Are Responding to Chronic Absenteeism Post-Pandemic

Chronic absenteeism—typically defined as missing 10% or more of school days—has emerged as one of the most persistent challenges for public schools in the post-pandemic era.After spiking during COVID-19, rates have remained elevated, prompting school districts nationwide to renew strategies to reengage students.

This article examines how public schools are confronting chronic absenteeism today: the strategies in use, early outcomes, remaining obstacles, and promising innovations to watch.

The Post-Pandemic Landscape: Why Schools Are Still Wrestling With Absences Elevated Rates and Uneven Recovery

• In the 2024–25 school year, chronic absenteeism in many districts remained above pre-pandemic levels, with some urban districts reporting 30% or more of students missing 10%+ of days.

• According to AEI data, absenteeism fell modestly (to ~23.5%) in recent years, but still hovers well above the ~15% pre-COVID benchmark.

• Some districts are improving, but many are not on pace to return to pre-pandemic norms, especially in high-poverty or urban settings.

Why Does It Persist?

Schools and researchers cite multiple interlocking causes:

1. Habits and norms shifted during the pandemic
   Some students and families adapted to looser structures, remote learning flexibility, or more lenient attendance enforcement, making reentry to rigid in-class

How Are U.S. Public Schools Doing in 2025?

As we move through 2025, U.S. public schools face a mix of pressures, opportunities, and evolving expectations. In many places, the aftershocks of the COVID-19 era remain visible in student learning, staffing, and finances. Meanwhile, new forces—like artificial intelligence, shifting enrollment patterns, and political debates over curriculum—are reshaping how parents, educators, and policymakers view public education. This article updates the landscape for 2025, offering insight into fresh data, emerging trends, and ongoing challenges in U.S. public schools.

Enrollment and Demographics: A Changing Landscape

According to the 2025 Condition of Education report, 49.5 million students were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in fall 2023—the latest official figure.That number remains below the 50.8 million level recorded before the pandemic, reflecting a longer-term decline in enrollment.Projections by NCES suggest continued modest decline into 2025.

Among key demographic shifts:

• The national student-to-teacher ratio in 2025 is estimated at 15:1.

• School districts continue to become more diverse in student racial and ethnic composition, though significant gaps remain in representation and resources.

• Some states, especially in parts of the Rust Belt, rural South, and inland West, show sharper drops in K–12 enrollment, compounding financial stress for their districts.

• Districts in fast-growing regions (Sun Belt,

How Parents Can Prepare for the Public School Parent Interview (Yes, It Matters)

When applying for a coveted seat in a public school—whether through a magnet, lottery, or neighborhood boundary assignment—many families focus exclusively on preparing the child: their grades, test scores, and extracurricular résumé. Butncreasingly, public schools value the “parent interview” (or parent meeting) as part of the admissions process. Yes, it matters—and your preparation can make a difference in how the school perceives your commitment, fit, and capacity to partner.

In 2025, we’re seeing more public districts adopt holistic processes that include parent engagement. This article provides a step-by-step guide to help you prepare confidently, answer thoughtfully, and present your family in the best possible light.

Why the Parent Interview Matters in Public School Admissions

A parent interview isn’t just a procedural step—it’s a window into your values, communication style, expectations, and ability to partner with the school. For administrators, this meeting offers insight into:

• Your understanding of and alignment with the school’s mission

• How you support your child’s learning at home

• How you handle challenges, conflicts, or changes

• Whether your expectations are realistic and sustainable

In competitive public school admissions (such as magnet, charter, or selective-enrollment districts), some schools use the parent interview to differentiate among otherwise-equivalent applicants. The parent’s professionalism, attitude,