Violent victimization at school jumped more than 50% in a single year, a federal report found.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics report, released in September 2026, found the rate of nonfatal violent victimization at school rose from 14.2 per 1,000 students in 2023 to 21.8 per 1,000 in 2024 among students ages 12 to 18. The finding carries particular weight for suburban districts like Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights.

Simple assault drove the increase. When simple assault was excluded, the violent victimization rate held steady at 5.8 per 1,000.

Suburban students faced a higher total victimization rate at school than rural students: 31.5 per 1,000, compared with 11 per 1,000 in rural areas. Both Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights are suburban Franklin County districts.

The report, authored by BJS statistician Erin Tinney, also found that students experienced more crime at school than away from it. The total victimization rate at school was 27 per 1,000, versus 17.7 per 1,000 away from school. Stateline first reported on the findings, republished by the Ohio Capital Journal.

The overall rate of crime victimization at school did not change significantly over the full decade from 2014 to 2024, the report noted. Theft victimization at school fell from 14.1 per 1,000 in 2014 to 5.2 per 1,000 in 2024.

The data comes from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), a self-report survey covering crimes experienced from July 2023 through November 2024. The 2024 data comes from respondents who received the legacy version of the survey, before a planned redesign took effect. The survey captures what students report, not just crimes known to police or school officials.

What local districts are doing

Neither Upper Arlington Schools nor Grandview Heights Schools has publicly responded to the federal report.

Upper Arlington's school board has taken several steps on student safety and well-being. At the board's Aug. 18 meeting, Deputy Superintendent Stephanie Siddens shared the district's semi-annual update on bullying, harassment and intimidation reports. Chief Excellence and Engagement Officer Denise Lutz reported that roughly $223,000 in state Student Wellness and Success Funds for 2026-2027 would go entirely toward the district's five mental health specialists.

The district also maintains a School Resource Officer program through the Upper Arlington Police Division. The police division posted on Aug. 21 that its SROs were back in UA schools for the new year.

A May 2026 student survey at UA, with 1,066 responses from grades 6 through 12, found that 5.7% of students said they do not feel accepted. Students view the district's mental health supports, including wellness rooms and counselors, as a vital safety net, according to the board's May 12 meeting summary.

The UA Board of Education holds a work session Friday, Sept. 25, covering the state report card and strategic plan priorities for 2026-2027.