Parents in the Lower Merion School District have until Wednesday, Sept. 30, to opt their children out of a school climate survey launching in early October.
The survey will reach every student in grades 3 through 12 across the district's 11 schools, including Lower Merion High School and Harriton High School. Superintendent Frank Ranelli announced the effort in a letter to families on Wednesday, Sept. 23, calling it the first step in the district's new 2026–2031 Strategic Plan.
The plan sets four broad goals: academic excellence and growth, a safe and inclusive learning environment, community engagement and belonging, and workforce excellence. The survey targets the safety goal specifically, asking students how they feel about four areas: physical safety and emergency preparedness, digital safety systems, a culture of respect and belonging, and whether they have at least one trusted adult at school.
The district wants to see favorable responses rise by at least 5% in each area between the fall baseline and a second survey at the end of the school year, according to its 2026–2027 goals page. On the trusted-adult measure, the long-term target is 100%.
That matters for school operations, too. Results from the physical-safety section will inform adjustments to safety and security plans developed with local police, according to Ranelli's letter.
"I look forward to sharing the survey data with our community and collaborating with our students and staff to ensure we meet this important strategic goal," Ranelli said.
Beyond the survey, the district plans to launch a Superintendent's Student Advisory Council this school year. The council will hold at least eight meetings across both high schools, gathering student feedback on climate, instruction, safety, belonging, engagement and post-secondary readiness.
The opt-out form, posted on the district website on Thursday, Sept. 17, requires a separate submission for each student. Parents can also preview the survey questions on the district site. The deadline is Sept. 30.
