Voices of Gen Z: A Q&A on School, Support, and the Future

As students return to the classroom, the 2025 Voices of Gen Z survey—one of the largest national surveys tracking Gen Z—offers data-driven insights into their learning experiences, aspirations, and challenges.

To gain a deeper understanding of Gen Z’s perspectives, we’ve collected personal testimonies from current students across the country about what excites them in school, the essential role of teachers, and their hopes for the future.

More than one in three students say they haven’t learned anything interesting recently. What motivates or excites you at school?

“Something that motivates me in school is making myself proud, making my family proud.”

LEILANI, ILLINOIS, 8TH GRADE STUDENT

“Something that really helps me stay engaged and motivated at school is going over topics that really interest me. In calculus, I'm always engaged because it’s something that will help me in my future—I want to be an engineer.”

Esteban, Colorado, 11th Grade Student

“What motivates me is knowing that I could explore different things in high school that will prepare me for college.”

KENNEDI, ILLINOIS, 9TH GRADE STUDENT

78% of students say they have a teacher who excites them about the future. How have teachers helped you feel supported at school?

“Almost everyone can probably point out a very influential key figure or teacher in their education journey—someone who spoke to them specifically and took what you were learning outside of the classroom, made you feel cared for and important.”

LUKE, CALIFORNIA, 12TH GRADE STUDENT

“I grew up without a father, so my teacher — Mr. Brandon — was like a second father to me, and he taught me stuff. Miss Henrietta taught me how to get out of my comfort zone and have fun while concentrating on my work, and she just taught me how to get my emotions out and show my emotions.”

Horacio, Colorado, 8th Grade Student

“I’ve gained a lot of leadership positions because of my teachers’ encouragement… [It has] meant a lot to me and really propelled me in the right direction for college and things after high school.

[For example,] I started the multicultural inclusion club because I didn’t really feel accepted within my community. But as I told the teachers this, they helped me create this club and gain more friends and people who share a like-minded goal.

KATIE, ILLINOIS, 12TH GRADE STUDENT

Just over half (56%) of Gen Z adults and students feel prepared for their future. How can schools improve and better prepare you for the future?

“To make me motivated to actually want to come to school every single day, [teachers] can do things that I would be interested in… They know our interests and hobbies, so they could use those to their advantage and use it in the subject that they teach.”

JALEEL, ILLINOIS, 8TH GRADE STUDENT

“Schools can be safer and more supportive environments by having staff that let students know there are people willing to listen to them.”

Camila, Illinois, 11th Grade Student

“Learning [today] is more updated, less traditional… If you’re not showing me how to do it in a more practical sense, I won’t understand it. So just catering learning in a way that is more efficient, more up to date with the time.”

MONAIRE, TEXAS, SENIOR COLLEGE STUDENT

Students with more engaging school experiences are more likely to feel prepared, optimistic, and purposeful. What are your hopes for the future, career, and otherwise?

“What I hope to achieve after high school is attending an HBCU on a full ride scholarship with a business major. Having a business major under your belt, I feel like you’ll just be able to go anywhere in life.”

DEVYN, ILLINOIS, 12TH GRADE STUDENT

“I struggled a lot growing up with making connections with people my own age, and the only people that on a daily basis I saw outside of my family that actually cared and respected me were educators. I want to be that for kids that don't have those companions that I didn't have.”

Zechariah, Oklahoma, 12th Grade Student

“The thing that excites me the most about my future would be leaving my mark in people’s lives… finding a purpose, finding things that I enjoy doing.”

SEBASTIAN, OKLAHOMA, 12TH GRADE STUDENT

Voices of Gen Z: A Q&A on School, Support, and the Future

More than one in three students say they haven’t learned anything interesting recently. What motivates or excites you at school?

“Something that motivates me in school is making myself proud, making my family proud.”

“What motivates me is knowing that I could explore different things in high school that will prepare me for college.”

78% of students say they have a teacher who excites them about the future. How have teachers helped you feel supported at school?

“Almost everyone can probably point out a very influential key figure or teacher in their education journey—someone who spoke to them specifically and took what you were learning outside of the classroom, made you feel cared for and important.”

“I’ve gained a lot of leadership positions because of my teachers’ encouragement… [It has] meant a lot to me and really propelled me in the right direction for college and things after high school.

[For example,] I started the multicultural inclusion club because I didn’t really feel accepted within my community. But as I told the teachers this, they helped me create this club and gain more friends and people who share a like-minded goal.

KATIE, ILLINOIS, 12TH GRADE STUDENT

Just over half (56%) of Gen Z adults and students feel prepared for their future. How can schools improve and better prepare you for the future?

“To make me motivated to actually want to come to school every single day, [teachers] can do things that I would be interested in… They know our interests and hobbies, so they could use those to their advantage and use it in the subject that they teach.”

“Learning [today] is more updated, less traditional… If you’re not showing me how to do it in a more practical sense, I won’t understand it. So just catering learning in a way that is more efficient, more up to date with the time.”

Students with more engaging school experiences are more likely to feel prepared, optimistic, and purposeful. What are your hopes for the future, career, and otherwise?

“What I hope to achieve after high school is attending an HBCU on a full ride scholarship with a business major. Having a business major under your belt, I feel like you’ll just be able to go anywhere in life.”

“The thing that excites me the most about my future would be leaving my mark in people’s lives… finding a purpose, finding things that I enjoy doing.”

Latest Resources

Ensuring Students Feel Safe, Seen, and Supported in School

2025 Voices of Gen Z Study

2025 Report Card: America’s Schools Graded by Students