Tulane researchers find New Orleans youth have high ambitions but face challenges with mental health, school support

A new survey of New Orleans public school students finds many young people are aiming high for college and careers, but a sizable share are struggling with mental health, feeling unsupported in school and worrying that their motivation or academic performance could keep them from reaching their goals.

The Education Research Alliance for New Orleans at Tulane University released findings from its third Citywide Youth Survey through its latest report, Voices of New Orleans Youth: How Do New Orleans Young People Feel About Their Schools, Neighborhoods, Mental Health, and Future Lives?

Conducted during the 2024-25 school year, the survey offers a comprehensive look at how adolescents in the city's public middle and high schools are faring both in and outside the classroom and is intended to inform policymakers, educators, and community leaders working to better support youth in New Orleans.

The survey includes responses from approximately 2,000 students in grades 6 through 11 across 16 charter schools in New Orleans. It builds on previous cycles while expanding to include new questions about students' career aspirations, access to resources, social media use and differences in experiences across neighborhoods.

Taken together, the findings point to a generation with high aspirations alongside ongoing concerns about well-being, support and pathways to achieve their goals. While New Orleans schools have made progress in some areas since the COVID-19 pandemic, students continue to face challenges that extend beyond academics.

"New Orleans youth deserve to have their voices included in school, community, and government decisions - this survey provides essential information on their hopes, dreams and needs," said Jamie Carroll, managing director of the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans.

About 70% of students said they expect to earn at least a bachelor's degree, and 72% plan to attend college immediately after high school. At the same time, many reported significant emotional challenges: roughly 40% showed symptoms of depression, 32% reported high levels of anxiety-related behavior, and 26% said they needed counseling in the past year but did not receive it.

Researchers found stigma and lack of support remain major barriers to mental health care. More than half of students said they had avoided seeking mental health help because they were concerned about what others would think, and nearly 1 in 5 said they would not reach out to anyone if they felt overwhelmed or stressed. Students reported they are more likely to turn to friends or family than to teachers or school counselors.

The report also highlights disparities across student groups. Black and Hispanic students reported greater mental health needs and less access to support than White students. Black students were significantly more likely to say they needed counseling but did not receive it.

Inside the classroom, students described schools that challenge them academically but do not always provide consistent support. While many said teachers encourage critical thinking, fewer reported that teachers keep them engaged, maintain orderly classrooms or demonstrate care for students compared with national benchmarks. Key academic behaviors such as attendance and effort also remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Bullying continues to be a concern, with 18% of students reporting being bullied at school and 13% experiencing cyberbullying. Middle school students reported bullying at more than twice the rate of high school students.
The survey also sheds new light on students' goals for the future. Many expressed strong interest in careers such as becoming an athlete, doctor, entrepreneur, artist or nurse. About 35% of students said they plan to start a business shortly after high school, compared with 11% nationally.

However, researchers found many of these aspirations do not align closely with the types of jobs most available in the local economy, other than in healthcare, which could shape whether young people see a future for themselves in New Orleans.
"While there are great career training opportunities for New Orleans high school students, these can be better aligned to the careers they aspire to, and could begin sooner - in middle schools," Carroll said.

Students also identified their motivation, academic performance and uncertainty about how to pursue their goals as the biggest potential barriers to success. About one-quarter said their physical or mental health could also stand in the way.

To further explore the findings, the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans will host a public panel discussion on May 7, bringing together researchers, educators, and community leaders to discuss the report's implications and potential solutions.