Incidents of crime are reported at 96% of high schools, 94% of middle schools, and 74% of primary schools.

(Crime, Violence, Discipline and Safety in U.S. Public Schools: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2003-04, National Center for Education Statistics, 2006)

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6.5% of students surveyed reported that they had carried a weapon on school property within the last thirty days, while 18% said they carried a weapon anywhere during the past month.

(2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results, Center for Disease Control, 2006)

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The percentage of public schools experiencing one or more violent incidents increased between the 1999-2000 and 2003-04 school years, from 71 to 81%.

(Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2006, U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, 2006)

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Bullying is widespread in American schools, with more than 16% of U.S. school children saying they had been bullied by other students during a single term (semester).

(National Institutes of Health)

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29% of students in grades 9-12 reported that someone had offered, sold, or given them illegal drugs on school property in the previous year.

(U.S. Department of Justice)

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Twenty Six U.S. states have either enacted or are considering anti-bullying legislation. Twelve states, including Florida and Michigan are currently reviewing legislation designed to curb bullying in schools.

In 2005, 25% of all students in grades 9-12 reported that someone had offered, sold or given them an illegal drug on school property in the past 12 months, compared to 29% in 2003.

(Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2006, U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, 2006)

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14% of suburban 12th grade girls and 20% of urban 12th grade girls have been pregnant.

(“Sex, Drugs and Delinquency in Urban and Suburban Public Schools,” Center for Civic Innovation, 2004)

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High school dropouts are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested than high school graduates.

(From the Prison Track to the College Track: Pathways to Post Secondary Success for Out-of-School Youth, Jobs for the Future, 2004)