JEFFERSON TWP — South Butler School District leaders were surprised by answers on a school climate survey that nearly 600 Knoch High students took.

For instance, 52 percent of survey takers did not think their viewpoints have been sought or valued in the decision-making process; 59 percent didn’t think they’ve been taught to handle stress in their classes; and 72 percent said they feel stressed to score well on standardized tests, like Keystone Exams and SATs.

And only 29 percent of survey-taking students feel the structure of the school is designed for students to succeed.

David Zupsic, assistant superintendent, conducted the survey as a part of his dissertation at Youngstown State University about correlations between students’ test scores and emotional well-being.

He presented the results at a school board agenda meeting on Wednesday.

“It’s not because of Knoch,” he said of the survey results. “It’s because of new assessments.”

The voluntary survey was completed by about 62 percent of students in the high school, with 80 percent of freshmen, 75 percent of sophomores, 70 percent of juniors and 23 percent of seniors. Students were asked more than 20 questions about how school related to their emotional well-being, social development and self-awareness levels regarding happiness and stress.

Zupsic said it creates a bad precedent “when students feel their only value is test scores.”

While required testing is unavoidable, there are other ways school leaders are hoping to change students’ attitudes about school.

“I think it’s important that we engage,” said Richard Roberts, a South Butler School Board member. “But the system is the system.”

“You don’t change the climate — you change your attitude about the climate,” Zupsic said.

The results were jarring enough to prompt Tyler Vargo, Knoch High School assistant principal, to establish a peer mentoring club between younger students and older students.

About 80 students are involved in the club so far, with about one older student for every two younger students. They discuss topics like emotions and stress, and talk about activities students can become involved with at the school.

“The success of this program is based off small victories,” Vargo said.