Table 2 East Harlem High School students' responses to selected survey questions related to child rights and safety (N = 153), April 2022

My participation

I am aware that children have rights

121 (79.1%)

28 (18.3%)

2 (1.3%)

0 (0.0%)

2 (1.3%)

I have open opportunities to voice my ideas and concerns about decisions that affect me in New York City

39 (25.5%)

80 (52.3%)

28 (18.3%)

2 (1.3%)

4 (2.6%)

I have open opportunities to give my opinion about school decisions and my voice makes a difference

50 (32.7%)

65 (42.5%)

28 (18.3%)

1 (0.7%)

9 (5.9%)

I contribute to projects to change my community around the Heritage School in East Harlem

25 (16.3%)

67 (43.8%)

45 (29.4%)

2 (1.3%)

14 (9.2%)

I am involved in planning or decision-making for my community around the Heritage School in East Harlem

21 (13.7%)

55 (35.9%)

63 (41.2%)

2 (1.3%)

12 (7.8%)

I help lead actions to change the Heritage School, East Harlem, or New York City

26 (17.0%)

50 (32.7%)

67 (43.8%)

3 (2.0%)

7 (4.6%)

Adults act on and listen to my views or priorities for change in my school, East Harlem, or New York City

30 (19.6%)

75 (49.0%)

30 (19.6%)

8 (5.2%)

10 (6.5%)

I try to learn about political issues that affect young people in East Harlem

36 (23.4%)

82 (53.6%)

26 (17.0%)

6 (3.9%)

3 (2.0%)

My living environments

I feel safe at home

140 (91.5%)

11 (7.2%)

1 (0.7%)

0 (0.0%)

1 (0.7%)

The air around me in my home is clean (free of toxins, dust, smoke, mold, etc.)

114 (74.5%)

28 (18.3%)

9 (5.9%)

1 (0.7%)

1 (0.7%)

The air around me in East Harlem is clean

23 (15.0%)

90 (58.8%)

32 (20.9%)

4 (2.6%)

4 (2.6%)

There are places in the Heritage School and in East Harlem that are clean, and pose little to no risks to my health

42 (27.5%)

83 (54.2%)

18 (11.8%)

6 (3.9%)

4 (2.6%)

My community services

I am happy with the way my teachers interact with me and teach me

67 (43.8%)

70 (45.8%)

9 (5.9%)

2 (1.3%)

5 (3.3%)

I am content with how online school went last year

63 (41.2%)

59 (38.6%)

22 (14.4%)

3 (2.0%)

6 (3.9%)

I have access to the Internet at school or in East Harlem

87 (56.9%)

44 (28.8%)

16 (10.5%)

3 (2.0%)

3 (2.0%)

My play and leisure

There are spaces for play and relax outside near my home that I use (e.g., parks, basketball courts, etc.)

105 (68.6%)

38 (24.8%)

8 (5.2%)

1 (0.7%)

1 (0.7%)

The play spaces in East Harlem are in good condition

55 (35.9%)

76 (49.7%)

18 (11.8%)

1 (0.7%)

3 (2.0%)

I have safe places for play, such as games and sports in East Harlem

75 (49.0%)

62 (40.5%)

11 (7.2%)

1 (0.7%)

4 (2.6%)

I feel safe using buses or other public vehicles

41 (26.8%)

85 (55.6%)

23 (15.0%)

1 (0.7%)

3 (2.0%)

I am safe from sexual harassment when in public spaces (e.g., hooting, cat calling, staring, etc.)

57 (37.3%)

58 (37.9%)

29 (19.0%)

2 (1.3%)

7 (4.6%)

It is safe for me to ride my bike in East Harlem

49 (32.0%)

67 (43.8%)

16 (10.5%)

7 (4.6%)

14 (9.2%)

I feel safe walking to school

81 (52.9%)

60 (39.2%)

8 (5.2%)

1 (0.7%)

3 (2.0%)

Public spaces are free from drug dealing and other illegal activities in East Harlem

28 (18.3%)

65 (42.5%)

44 (28.8%)

7 (4.6%)

9 (5.9%)

Local transportation waiting areas are safe (well-lit and clean)

33 (21.6%)

72 (47.1%)

39 (25.5%)

3 (2.0%)

6 (3.9%)

My safety and inclusion

I feel safe from violence (protected from abuse, gangs, armed groups etc.) in the community around the Heritage School in East Harlem

50 (32.7%)

73 (47.7%)

22 (14.4%)

2 (1.3%)

6 (3.9%)

All genders are treated equally and given the same opportunities

57 (37.3%)

69 (45.1%)

21 (13.7%)

3 (2.0%)

3 (2.0%)

I feel safe from being bullied by other children at school

83 (54.2%)

51 (33.3%)

12 (7.8%)

1 (0.7%)

6 (3.9%)

I feel safe from being bullied by other children online

92 (60.1%)

42 (27.5%)

11 (7.2%)

2 (1.3%)

6 (3.9%)

I feel safe socially/physically/emotionally at school

68 (44.4%)

63 (41.2%)

14 (9.2%)

1 (0.7%)

7 (4.6%)

I have friends of different origins, backgrounds, genders, or abilities

118 (77.1%)

24 (15.7%)

5 (3.3%)

1 (0.7%)

5 (3.3%)

I trust police officers and feel they are allies in East Harlem

38 (24.8%)

77 (50.3%)

24 (15.7%)

2 (1.3%)

12 (7.8%)

I feel security guards in my school keep me safe

45 (29.4%)

70 (45.8%)

19 (12.4%)

4 (2.6%)

15 (9.8%)

There are adults at the Heritage School or in East Harlem who I can talk to freely about abuse or violence

59 (38.6%)

58 (37.9%)

23 (15.0%)

4 (2.6%)

9 (5.9%)

I have personally witnessed gun violence

53 (34.6%)

100 (65.4%)

YRBSS

During the time you have attended The Heritage School, have you ever not attended school because you felt you would be unsafe at school?

29 (19.0%)

124 (81.0%)

During the time you have attended The Heritage School, have you ever not attended school because you felt you would be unsafe going to or from school?

27 (17.6%)

126 (82.4%)

Have you ever carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property?

10 (6.5%)

143 (93.5%)

Have you ever seen someone get physically attacked, beaten, stabbed, or shot in your neighborhood?

78 (51.0%)

75 (49.0%)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, how often was your mental health not good? (Poor mental health includes stress, anxiety, and depression.)

11 (7.2%)

37 (24.2%)

39 (25.5%)

34 (22.2%)

32 (20.9%)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, did a parent or other adult in your home lose their job even for a short amount of time?

44 (28.8%)

100 (65.4%)

9 (5.9%)