Between school drop-offs, homework, practice, rehearsals, and figuring out who needs to be where, we spend a lot of time keeping up with our kids. Knowing what’s on their calendar and even spending time with them in the car doesn’t always tell us how they’re feeling.
The 2026 Indiana Girl Report gives us a reason to pause and ask: How are our girls really doing? Indiana girls are graduating at record rates and exploring their interests through sports, arts, and clubs. Many are also navigating sadness, friendship struggles, and pressure about how they look.
As parents, we want our daughters to have opportunities to learn, explore, and succeed. We also want them to feel connected, supported, and comfortable telling us when something in their life is difficult or causing friction. This report helps us understand where girls are thriving and where it’s critical for us to pay closer attention.
What is The Indiana Girl Report?
The 2026 Indiana Girl Report brings together the data expertise of Indiana Youth Institute and the girl-focused work of Girl Scouts Coalition of Indiana and the six Girl Scout councils serving our state. It looks at the well-being of girls throughout Indiana, whether or not they are Girl Scouts.
The report explores four connected areas: physical, academic, emotional, and social wellness. That means looking beyond grades to understand girls’ health, friendships, support systems, and opportunities to learn and grow. Together, the findings help parents, schools, and communities understand what’s going well and where girls need more support.
There’s Plenty to Celebrate
Indiana girls have a lot to be proud of; in 2025, the female high school graduation rate reached 93.2%, the highest rate in the past decade. Younger girls are making progress, too; third-grade girls’ reading proficiency rose to 88.8% in 2025, up from 84.2% the year before.
Girls are also exploring what they love beyond the classroom. In 2024, 81.7% of Indiana girls ages 6–17 participated in an organized activity or lesson outside school, from sports and clubs to music, dance, and art. These experiences give girls opportunities to discover interests, build friendships, and practice leadership.
Nearly one-third of girls ages 6–17 participated in community service or volunteer work in 2024. Indiana girls are learning, creating, helping others, and bringing their ideas to their communities.
Good Grades Don’t Tell the Whole Story
A school report card gives us one picture of how our daughters are doing. Their friendships, feelings, and sense of belonging help us understand the fuller picture.
In the 2024 Indiana Youth Survey, 39.4% of female students in grades 7–12 reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two consecutive weeks to the point that they stopped doing their usual activities. Friendship challenges deserve our attention just like academic challenges. In 2024, 30.1% of caregivers reported that their daughter had difficulty making or keeping friends.
Alongside questions about homework and tests, we can make room for questions like, “Who do you enjoy spending time with?” “When do you feel left out?” or “What’s been weighing on you lately?” Our girls need opportunities to talk about things that won’t appear on a progress report.
Sometimes, those conversations lead families to seek professional support, but finding mental health treatment can be difficult. Family time and enjoyable activities can offer connection, but girls who need mental health care also need help reaching those services.
Finding Places Where Girls Can Belong
Finding things to do with kids is at the heart of Indy with Kids. This report reminds us why the people and relationships connected to those experiences matter.
A weekly art class, a library club, a sports team, or a Girl Scout troop can give girls opportunities to explore an interest and spend time with familiar faces. Returning regularly gives them time to get to know other children and the adults leading the program, as well as an opportunity to be known. Volunteering can also introduce girls to people who share their interests while giving them a chance to contribute to their community.
The activity itself is only part of the experience. Does your daughter feel included? Does the leader listen to her ideas? Is there someone she feels comfortable asking for help? Does she look forward to returning? Pay attention to how she feels once she’s there.
Making Room for Movement, Rest, and Curiosity
Family schedules fill up quickly, but making room for movement, rest, and exploration can start with something small that your family enjoys.
The report found that only 18% of female high school students reported at least 60 minutes of physical activity on all seven days in the 2023 survey. A walk after dinner, a bike ride, dancing in the living room, or time at a favorite playground can make movement part of spending time together.
Curiosity is important too; building, experimenting, making art, and asking questions give girls opportunities to discover what interests them.
Sometimes, families need fewer plans for the success of children. In the 2023 survey, only 22.8% of female high school students reported getting at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night. Rest should be considered when we decide what fits on the family calendar.
The Conversations We Need to Keep Having
Some of the report’s findings call for conversations parents and caretakers may feel unsure how to begin. Body image, boundaries, relationships, and online experiences are all important topics of conversation.
In 2023–2024, 25.8% of caregivers reported that their daughter was concerned about her weight, shape, or size. We can think about the messages girls hear at home, including how we talk about our own bodies. There are plenty of things to notice and celebrate about our girls: their creativity, humor, persistence, kindness, and ideas.
The report also highlights significant concerns about dating and sexual violence, reinforcing the need for ongoing conversations about boundaries, consent, and respectful relationships. Conversations about relationships can begin with everyday situations. What does respect look like in a friendship? Can she say no without being pressured? Who could she turn to if someone made her uncomfortable? The report recommends regular, judgment-free conversations so girls feel comfortable sharing concerns and asking for support. Responsibility for hurtful or abusive behavior belongs to the person causing harm.
It’s also crucial to talk about how our girls spend time online. Ask what she enjoys online, what feels stressful, and whether she uses AI tools for schoolwork, advice, or companionship. The report encourages caregivers to learn alongside girls and reinforce that technology should never replace trusted relationships or professional help.
As adults, we don’t have to have every answer ready. We can listen, ask questions, and make it clear that difficult subjects are welcome. If we don’t have the answers or don’t know how to respond, it’s okay to say this and circle back later when we feel better equipped.
Support Should Fit Real Family Life
An activity can sound wonderful and still be difficult for a family to manage. Fees, equipment, transportation, work schedules, and healthcare needs all affect what families can do. Girls may also need sensory accommodations, physical accommodations, or additional support to participate comfortably.
Before signing up, ask about the full cost, financial assistance, transportation options, and whether the program can meet your child’s needs. Free activities and programs close to home can be valuable starting points.
Here are a few resources for Indianapolis-area families:
Public Library Branches – Free programs for children and teens offer opportunities to explore interests and spend time with others. Check individual listings for ages and registration requirements.
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana – Ask about local troop opportunities and financial assistance. Assistance is available for select programs, including camp, with program-specific requirements.
Indiana Access Pass – Indiana families enrolled in qualifying assistance programs can apply for reduced admission at participating attractions. The Children’s Museum currently offers Access Pass admission for $5 per person per visit.
Indiana 211 – Call 211 or search online for community resources, including food, housing, and low-cost or sliding-scale healthcare and mental health services.
Be Well Indiana – Find mental health information and support resources. For thoughts of suicide or a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis specialist, 24 hours a day.
Supporting our girls is a shared responsibility. Families, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations all have a role. At home, we can begin by asking how she’s doing, listening to the answer, and helping her find the people and opportunities that fit her.
Want to take a closer look at how Indiana girls are doing? Explore the full 2026 Indiana Girl Report to read the findings and discover more ways families and communities can support girls as they learn, grow, and thrive.
If you’re an educator, community leader, policymaker, healthcare provider, or volunteer, you have a role in helping Indiana girls thrive. Read the full 2026 Indiana Girl Report, share it with your team, and use its findings to start conversations and strengthen local partnerships. Consider where your organization can remove barriers, build supportive relationships, and create more opportunities for girls to learn, belong, and lead.
