Children and young people face many normal and unique challenges in contemporary life. Besides normal developmental and academic challenges, many children and adolescents and their families have weathered a fluctuating landscape in the COVID-19 pandemic era. Technology has also changed the way they study, learn, and socialize. In response to these challenges, a national study of the social emotional wellbeing and academic learning skills of Maltese children and young people has been undertaken. The ultimate goal of this nationwide assessment is to inform a more complete understanding of the current strengths and needs of the student population in Malta to inform comprehensive initiatives and interventions in the coming years. Data on social and emotional competences, academic learning skills and mental health and wellbeing about a representative sample of Maltese students has been collected from hundreds of teachers, parents, and students across the country from Kindergarten up to secondary schools during the current scholastic year. In this presentation we present the key findings of the study, namely the status of Maltese children and adolescents' social-emotional competencies, academic learning skills and mental health and wellbeing, as well as the strengths and needs of the students in these areas of competence.