Even the high school students with the highest grades aren't always smart enough to stay away from guns, alcohol and unprotected sex, according to a new study released Wednesday.
The survey of 2,000 high-achieving students, sponsored by the publisher of Who's Who Among American High School Students, shows that the same problems that plague America's high school dropouts plague America's high school standouts.Sixty-eight percent of the students who attend public schools say they knew of violent incidents in their schools. And almost half the male students say they have access to one or more guns.
"It's surprising no more than 12 percent of the students said they have felt unsafe at school," said Paul Krouse, publisher of the Lake Forest, Ill.-based Who's Who.
One in five of the girls surveyed reported being victimized by a sexual attack, often by a friend or relative. And 10 percent of the students said they knew someone who had committed date rape.
Though higher-achieving students generally report less sexual activity than their fellow students, 19 percent of the boys and 27 percent of the girls reported having had sex.
Despite their book smarts, the students seem to take a casual attitude towards sex.
Only two-thirds say they always use birth control; 27 percent use it sporadically and 8 percent never use it.
More than half the sexually active males say they would have sex even if a condom was not available.
The study found that high school students are experienced drinkers, with 57 percent drinking regularly in their parents' or a friend's home when the parents are away.
More than 10 percent of the students say they have driven under the influence and 40 percent have accepted a ride from a drunk driver.
The students also flout school laws. Nearly 70 percent of the students, who were selected for their high grades and school leadership roles, admitted to some form of cheating.
Forty percent said they had cheated on a test or quiz, more than 10 percent said they had plagiarized and half said they study fewer than seven hours a week.