Specific schoolsFull briefing
Where 'I am satisfied with school meal options' goes lowest
The longer form of the briefing for this story: the original thesis, the supporting findings the data team flagged, and the reporting directions a journalist could follow. For the short version and the data analysis, see the main story page.
Thesis
Buried in the NYC School Survey is a question about student satisfaction with school meals. Schools where kids hate the food may correlate with attendance issues, behavior issues, or just signal building-level neglect. Map the worst-rated lunchrooms.
Supporting findings
- Survey question (STUDENT_q16, 2023-24): 'I am satisfied with the meal options provided at this school.'
- Pull positive_pct by school, rank lowest.
- Cross-reference with NYC DOE OFNS (Office of Food and Nutrition Services) menu rotation by region.
- Are dis-satisfaction schools clustered geographically (a specific kitchen / vendor)?
- Compare with attendance, bullying, teacher safety — does food signal a broader culture?
- Vegan school vs traditional menu schools — different satisfaction profiles?
- Compare with parent satisfaction — do parents notice their kids' food dissatisfaction?
- OFNS budget per student vs satisfaction score by district.
- What about HS — older kids more critical of food?
- Frame: 'Kids spend more lunches at this school than they will at any restaurant in their lives. Here's where they hate the food.'
Reporting directions
- Pull STUDENT_q16 positive_pct (2023-24) and rank.
- Visit the bottom 3 cafeterias.
- Talk to NYC OFNS director on menu standards + procurement.
- Compare with national school-meal satisfaction research.