About this template
A student retention survey is a vital diagnostic tool used by teachers, academic advisors, and school administrators to understand the underlying factors influencing a student’s decision to stay or leave an educational institution. By gathering candid feedback on academic support, campus life, financial stability, and personal experiences, schools can proactively identify at-risk students and implement targeted interventions.
Whether you operate a high school, college, or university, this template streamlines the feedback collection process. It captures essential insights across multiple dimensions of student life, including ratings for instructors, academic advisors, extracurricular activities, and support services. The form also investigates specific challenges such as dropped classes or financial pressures, giving leadership actionable data to improve institutional policies.
With Doc2Form, deploying this survey takes seconds. Customize the questions to match your institution's grade levels or terminology, then share the form link directly with students or embed it securely on your student portal. Review submitted responses seamlessly to drive data-informed decisions that boost student satisfaction and retention.
Key features
- Assess student satisfaction with academics, advising, and campus life in one comprehensive form.
- Identify key drivers behind course drops and student departures.
- Evaluate orientation programs, study groups, and extracurricular support options.
- Gather actionable insights to improve student success and institutional retention rates.
- Easily customize questions to fit high school, college, or university student bodies.
Use cases
End-of-term student experience and satisfaction evaluations.
Mid-semester check-ins for students showing signs of academic disenga…
Mid-semester check-ins for students showing signs of academic disengagement.
Exit interviews for students withdrawing from classes or the institut…
Exit interviews for students withdrawing from classes or the institution.
Annual institutional reviews for accreditation and student success pl…
Annual institutional reviews for accreditation and student success planning.
What this form collects
- Full Name (Short answer)Optional — leave blank if you prefer to submit your feedback anonymously.
- Age Range (Dropdown)Select your current age bracket.
- Academic Standing (Dropdown)Select your current year or grade level.
- New Student Orientation Agreement (Multiple choice)Did the new student orientation accurately set expectations for your time here?
- Orientation Comments (Paragraph)Share any additional thoughts on how orientation could be improved.
- Academic Advisors (Linear scale)Rate the quality of guidance and support received from your academic advisor.
- Instructors and Teaching Quality (Linear scale)Rate the overall effectiveness and accessibility of your instructors.
- Financial Stability & Aid Support (Linear scale)Rate how well financial aid and tuition support meet your needs.
- Extracurricular Activities & Campus Life (Linear scale)Rate the variety and quality of clubs, events, and student life activities.
- Study Groups & Peer Support (Linear scale)Rate the availability and effectiveness of peer study groups.
- Have you dropped any classes this term? (Multiple choice)Select the option that applies to you.
- Primary Reasons for Dropping Classes (Checkboxes)Select all factors that contributed to your decision to drop a course.
- Additional Comments & Feedback (Paragraph)Please share any other feedback, suggestions, or concerns regarding your experience here.
FAQ
What is the purpose of a student retention survey?
It helps educational institutions identify the academic, financial, and social factors influencing a student's decision to stay or leave, allowing staff to provide timely support.
Who should fill out this survey?
The survey is designed for current students—particularly those at risk of leaving or those completing a major transition period like freshman year.
Can I customize the questions for my specific school?
Yes. Once generated in your Google Forms account, you can freely edit, add, or remove questions to match your school's programs and terminology.
Are the survey responses private and secure?
Yes. All responses are stored securely within your organization's Google Drive account, ensuring privacy compliance according to your Google Workspace settings.
How can I distribute this form to students?
You can share the form via direct email link, post it on your learning management system (LMS), or embed it directly into your student portal.
Get this form in your Google Drive
Save a copy to your Google Drive with one click (uses 1 credit). Or build from a PDF or description in the app.