Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Release 2025 Wisconsin Girl Report

October 31, 2025 – Wisconsin – The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin today released the 2025 Wisconsin Girl Report. This report investigates the differences in the lived experiences between girls and boys in areas like academic achievement and mental health challenges, while also highlighting the opportunities girls have to build their ambitions, skillsets, and confidence within their families, schools, and communities.

“At Girl Scouts, it’s crucial we are addressing the current and evolving needs of girls across our state,” said Ana Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “This data is startling, but it helps us deepen our understanding of how girls are faring. With this data, we can continue to serve girls in the areas they need the most support. We are committed to providing safe, all-girls spaces designed with her in mind; a team of trained adults ready to support her big ambitions; and experiences proven to build courage, confidence, and character.”

The 2025 Wisconsin Girl Report focuses on four key dimensions of wellness critical for holistic development: physical health, academic performance, emotional wellness, and social wellbeing.

Some findings in the report include:

Physical health:

• One in five high school girls has experienced sexual violence – a rate nearly three times higher than teenage boys.
• Twice as many girls as boys develop binge eating habits, and one in eight girls struggles with skipping meals or fasting.
• Twice as many girls as boys engage in zero days of physical activity.

When girls experience life’s challenges that may interrupt physical health, research shows one of the most important layers of support is the reassurance that comes from a community who cares. Girl Scouts provides this place of belonging, sisterhood, and wellbeing, with 92% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts feeling like Girl Scouts is where they belong.

Additionally, when girls face social pressure toward unhealthy choices like substance abuse, researchers promote important preventative skills like future orientation – setting goals and understanding both long term consequences. 75% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts agree that their troop leader helps them think about their future.

Academic performance:

• 41% of girls achieved college-ready proficiency on the ACT compared to 31% of boys.
• While 42% of boys declare an advanced science or engineering field as their first major, only 25% of girls choose the same path.
• 57% of all students completing AP exams in Wisconsin are female.

Girl Scouts has long supported educational outcomes, and the research proves this. 71% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts are more confident in school because of Girl Scouts. This extends beyond high school. 26% of Girl Scout alum have received a bachelor’s degree – compared to 20% of non-alum. This number jumps to 50% with Gold Award Girl Scout alum.

Emotional wellness:

• Half of high school girls meet a clinical definition of depression – 11% higher than boys.
• 52% of parents of girls find difficulty in obtaining needed mental health treatment.
• One in four middle school girls feel unsupported by adults at school in stopping bullying behavior, including cyberbullying.

• Five out of ten high school girls report feeling sad or depressed everyday for two+ weeks in a row.

Positive, caring relationships between girls and adult mentors can create a life-changing bond, protecting against mental health challenges. 79% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts say they are happier people because of Girl Scouts. Another Girl Scout study found that girls cite their troop leader as the number one source of positive mental health – above friends, family, and school.

Social wellbeing:

• 25% of high school girls report not having a teacher or other adult to talk with if they have a problem.
• Less than half of girls live in families that demonstrate resilience.
• More than one-third of high school girls are not enrolled in an activity outside of school.

Research also shows that access to an all-girl environment presents better outcomes in mental health interventions and supports improvements in academic performance. This creates an atmosphere that allows girls to try new things, take bigger risks, and feel safe. As such, 97% of girls in Wisconsin say they feel safe in Girl Scouts.

The Wisconsin Girl Report also features recommendations for parents, youth-serving organizations, school administration and teachers, funders, and policymakers, including concrete suggestions on promoting healthy relationships, closing the STEM gap, supporting mental health conditions, and mentoring girls.

“With this data, we’re empowered to better serve girls in our state, meeting them where they are. Research shows one of the most important layers of support is the reassurance that comes from a community who cares,” said Simpson. “Girl Scouts serves as this pivotal place of belonging for all girls.”

To read a full copy of the Wisconsin Girl Report, visit www.wisconsingirlreport.org.

ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF WISCONSIN
The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin is an association of four individual Girl Scout councils (Girl Scout councils – Girl Scouts of Manitou, Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland, and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast) formed for the mutual benefit of Girl Scouts statewide. The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin serve over 30,000 girls in grades K5-12 in nearly every county of Wisconsin with the help of over 15,000 adult volunteers. With the support of volunteers, funders, and partners, Girl Scout councils in Wisconsin ensure girls of all backgrounds and abilities can reach their full potential. For more information, including ways to get involved, visit www.wisconsingirlreport.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.