Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) survey
Ann Arbor Public Schools Parent/Guardian Notification Form
2025-26 Health Risk Behavior Survey
Every other school year, Ann Arbor Public Schools administers the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) survey to students in 7th, 9th, and 11th grades. This survey is a shortened version of the MiPHY from the Michigan Department of Education. The survey asks about behavior and attitudes related to nutrition, physical activity, injuries, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. It will also ask about sexual behaviors, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy.
The MiPHY survey is anonymous and voluntary. Students will not be asked to provide their name or any other identifying information.
Students will complete the survey online on a private computer. The survey has been designed to protect each student’s privacy. No school or student will ever be mentioned by name in any reported results. The results of this survey will help improve programs and services for students. Participation in the survey poses little or no risk to any student. The only potential risk is that some students might find certain questions sensitive.
AAPS aims for all students in grades 7, 9, and 11 to take part in the survey, but the survey is voluntary. No action will be taken against the school, families, or the student if they choose not to participate. Students can skip any question that they do not wish to answer and may stop participating in the survey at any point.
The survey tool is available here for your review. If you have any questions, please contact Jenna Bacolor, AAPS Executive Director, Community Division and Student Health and Well-Being, at bacolor@aaps.k12.mi.us.
If you object to your child’s participation in the survey, please fill out this google form by Thursday, Dec. 4.
More information is available in the MiPHY FAQs (next page).
Below are the tentative dates for schools to administer the survey:
December 8-9 Scarlett MS, Community High School
December 9 Ann Arbor Open, Clague MS, Pathways to Success H,
December 10 Forsythe MS, Slauson MS, Tappan MS, Skyline HS, Huron HS, Pioneer HS
December 11 A2STEAM
Each school has a back-up date in case of a weather closure or other event.
Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) Survey FAQs for Parents/Guardians
Q. Why is the survey being done?
A. The Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth is the only survey of health risk behaviors conducted regularly in AAPS. Results allow us to understand student health risks and needs over time, identify student groups at higher risk, and determine priority health issues for current cohorts of students. Survey data are used to apply for grants, prioritize health program expenditures, and develop new strategies, programs, and partnerships to improve student health.
Q. What kinds of questions are asked on the survey?
A. The MiPHY includes questions about a range of health risk behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes, as well as questions about positive protective factors.
Q. Are sensitive questions asked?
A. Some questions may be considered sensitive. However, the only way to determine the extent to which adolescents are at risk is to ask questions about these behaviors. Questions are presented in a straightforward and respectful manner, and those that focus on risk behaviors always begin with an abstinence or non-use answer choice. Students who choose abstinence/non-use are not asked follow up questions about that health risk. Students always have the option to skip any question.
Q. Will student participation be anonymous? Will student privacy be protected?
A. Yes. Survey administration procedures have been designed to protect student privacy and allow for anonymous participation. Students will not enter their names or other identifying information at any point during the survey.
Q. Will students be surveyed again to see how their behavior changes?
A. No. It is impossible to track students who participate because no identifying information is collected.
Q. How was my child selected?
A. All students in grades 7, 9, and 11 are invited to participate in the survey.
Q. How long will it take to fill out the survey?
A. It typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete the online, multiple-choice survey.
Q. Is the survey provided to students in other languages?
A. Unfortunately, the survey is not currently translated into other languages.
Q. What does the district plan to do with the results of the survey?
A. Survey data are used to apply for grants, prioritize health program expenditures, develop new programs and partnerships to improve student health, and better understand trends in youth risk behaviors.