The present study validated a brief at-risk screening instrument designed for easy use by teachers in the elementary school. School performance measures were collected for students in first to sixth grade one year following initial teacher ratings using the Screening For At-Risk Status screening instrument. Findings indicated that the instrument is best seen as measuring a single at-risk construct with items drawn from three domains: academic skills, social confidence, and social cooperation. Correlations between at-risk scores and school performance measures taken one year later demonstrated predictive validity. The screening instrument correctly identified at-risk students with 88% accuracy and not-at-risk students with 74% accuracy. There were 12% false negatives. Use of the instrument provides teachers with a quick, easy screening of students who may develop difficulties in the future. For schools, the screening can be used as the first step in a supportive response system to assist at-risk students from developing serious school difficulties and possibly failure in the longer term. (Contains 3 tables.)