diff --git a/src/lib/ai-ocr.ts b/src/lib/ai-ocr.ts
index 8945eaf..6c3f4bd 100644
--- a/src/lib/ai-ocr.ts
+++ b/src/lib/ai-ocr.ts
@@ -59,19 +59,21 @@ const responseCardSchema = z.object({
 
 const surveySchema = z.object({
   messageTopics: z.array(z.string()).describe(
-    "Checked topics from: Stress, Marriage, Revival, Addiction, Parenting, Miracles, Forgiveness, Finances, My Identity, Conflict Resolution, The Holy Spirit, Understanding The Bible, Spiritual Warfare, Sharing My Faith, Anxiety, Heaven, Spiritual Gifts"
+    "ONLY items whose checkbox is physically marked (X, checkmark, or filled). Options: Stress, Marriage, Revival, Addiction, Parenting, Miracles, Forgiveness, Finances, My Identity, Conflict Resolution, The Holy Spirit, Understanding The Bible, Spiritual Warfare, Sharing My Faith, Anxiety, Heaven, Spiritual Gifts. Return empty array if none are marked."
   ),
   messageTopicsOther: z.string().nullable().describe("Value if Other is filled in"),
-  nextStep: z.array(z.string()).describe("Checked items from: Baptism, Next Steps"),
+  nextStep: z.array(z.string()).describe(
+    "This question has exactly 2 checkboxes. Include ONLY the ones with a visible mark (X, checkmark, filled). 'Baptism' = the checkbox for 'Expressing my faith in Jesus / baptized'. 'Next Steps' = the checkbox for 'Learning more about becoming a partner / attend Next Steps'. Return empty array if neither checkbox is marked."
+  ),
   attendanceDuration: z.string().nullable().describe(
-    "Less than 6 months, 6 Months - 1 Year, 1-3 Years, 4-6 Years, or 7+ Years"
+    "The single checked radio option. One of: Less than 6 months, 6 Months - 1 Year, 1-3 Years, 4-6 Years, or 7+ Years. null if none is marked."
   ),
   campusPreference: z.array(z.string()).describe(
-    "Checked locations from: Beulah, Pace/Milton, Gulf Breeze, Warrington"
+    "ONLY locations whose checkbox is physically marked. Options: Beulah, Pace/Milton, Gulf Breeze, Warrington. Return empty array if none are marked."
   ),
   campusPreferenceOther: z.string().nullable().describe("Value if Other is filled in"),
   howHeard: z.array(z.string()).describe(
-    "Checked items from: This is my church home, Regular Attender, Drove by, Social Media, Google, Personal Invite"
+    "ONLY items whose checkbox is physically marked. Options: This is my church home, Regular Attender, Drove by, Social Media, Google, Personal Invite. Return empty array if none are marked."
   ),
   howHeardOther: z.string().nullable().describe("Value if Other is filled in"),
   serviceAttended: z.string().nullable().describe("Service letter: A, B, C, or D"),
@@ -80,15 +82,26 @@ const surveySchema = z.object({
 
 const RESPONSE_SYSTEM_PROMPT = `You are analyzing a scanned church response card. This is the PERSONAL INFORMATION side.
 
-Extract ALL of the following fields from the image. For checkboxes, determine if they are checked or unchecked.
-For handwritten text, read it as accurately as possible.
+Extract ALL of the following fields from the image.
 
+CHECKBOX RULES - be very strict:
+- A checkbox is CHECKED only if it has a visible mark inside it: an X, a checkmark, a filled square, or pen/pencil marks inside the box.
+- An EMPTY box (no marks inside) means UNCHECKED, even if text appears next to it.
+- When in doubt, treat a checkbox as UNCHECKED.
+
+For handwritten text, read it as accurately as possible.
 Be precise: return null for fields you cannot read. Set prayerForTeam and prayerConfidential to false if the checkboxes are not clearly marked.`;
 
 const SURVEY_SYSTEM_PROMPT = `You are analyzing a scanned church Easter survey form. This is the SURVEY side.
 
-Extract ALL of the following fields. For checkboxes, determine if they are checked (filled/marked) or unchecked (empty).
-Return empty arrays for checkbox groups where nothing is checked.
+Extract ALL of the following fields from the image.
+
+CHECKBOX RULES - be very strict:
+- A checkbox is CHECKED only if it has a visible mark inside it: an X, a checkmark, a filled square, or pen/pencil marks inside the box.
+- An EMPTY box (no marks inside) means UNCHECKED, even if text appears next to it.
+- When in doubt, treat a checkbox as UNCHECKED.
+- For array fields (messageTopics, nextStep, campusPreference, howHeard): ONLY include items whose checkbox is physically marked. Return empty arrays when no checkboxes in that group are marked.
+- Do NOT confuse section headings or question titles with checked answers.
 
 Be precise: return null for fields you cannot read.`;
 
diff --git a/src/lib/ollama.ts b/src/lib/ollama.ts
index 45ae6b6..1bb35c5 100644
--- a/src/lib/ollama.ts
+++ b/src/lib/ollama.ts
@@ -21,8 +21,15 @@ async function getModel() {
 
 const RESPONSE_CARD_PROMPT = `You are analyzing a scanned church response card. This is the PERSONAL INFORMATION side.
 
-Extract ALL of the following fields from the image. For checkboxes, determine if they are checked or unchecked.
+Extract ALL of the following fields from the image.
+
+CHECKBOX RULES - be very strict:
+- A checkbox is CHECKED only if it has a visible mark inside it: an X, a checkmark, a filled square, or pen/pencil marks inside the box.
+- An EMPTY box (no marks inside) means UNCHECKED, even if text appears next to it.
+- When in doubt, treat a checkbox as UNCHECKED.
+
 For handwritten text, read it as accurately as possible.
+Set prayerForTeam and prayerConfidential to false if the checkboxes are not clearly marked.
 
 Return ONLY valid JSON with this exact structure (no markdown, no code fences):
 {
@@ -48,17 +55,29 @@ Return ONLY valid JSON with this exact structure (no markdown, no code fences):
 
 const SURVEY_PROMPT = `You are analyzing a scanned church Easter survey form. This is the SURVEY side.
 
-Extract ALL of the following fields. For checkboxes, determine if they are checked (filled/marked) or unchecked (empty).
+Extract ALL of the following fields.
+
+CHECKBOX RULES - be very strict:
+- A checkbox is CHECKED only if it has a visible mark inside it: an X, a checkmark, a filled square, or pen/pencil marks inside the box.
+- An EMPTY box (no marks inside) means UNCHECKED, even if text appears next to it.
+- When in doubt, treat a checkbox as UNCHECKED.
+- For array fields: ONLY include items whose checkbox is physically marked. Return empty arrays when no checkboxes in that group are marked.
+- Do NOT confuse section headings or question titles with checked answers.
+
+IMPORTANT for nextStep: There are exactly 2 checkboxes.
+- "Baptism" = the checkbox for "Expressing my faith in Jesus / I want to be baptized..."
+- "Next Steps" = the checkbox for "Learning more about becoming a partner / attend Next Steps..."
+Only include the one(s) whose box is physically marked.
 
 Return ONLY valid JSON with this exact structure (no markdown, no code fences):
 {
-  "messageTopics": ["array of checked topics from: Stress, Marriage, Revival, Addiction, Parenting, Miracles, Forgiveness, Finances, My Identity, Conflict Resolution, The Holy Spirit, Understanding The Bible, Spiritual Warfare, Sharing My Faith, Anxiety, Heaven, Spiritual Gifts"],
+  "messageTopics": ["ONLY topics whose checkbox is marked, from: Stress, Marriage, Revival, Addiction, Parenting, Miracles, Forgiveness, Finances, My Identity, Conflict Resolution, The Holy Spirit, Understanding The Bible, Spiritual Warfare, Sharing My Faith, Anxiety, Heaven, Spiritual Gifts"],
   "messageTopicsOther": "string if Other is filled in, else null",
-  "nextStep": ["array of checked items from: Baptism, Next Steps"],
+  "nextStep": ["ONLY items whose checkbox is marked, from: Baptism, Next Steps"],
   "attendanceDuration": "Less than 6 months" or "6 Months - 1 Year" or "1-3 Years" or "4-6 Years" or "7+ Years" or null,
-  "campusPreference": ["array of checked locations from: Beulah, Pace/Milton, Gulf Breeze, Warrington"],
+  "campusPreference": ["ONLY locations whose checkbox is marked, from: Beulah, Pace/Milton, Gulf Breeze, Warrington"],
   "campusPreferenceOther": "string if Other is filled in, else null",
-  "howHeard": ["array of checked items from: This is my church home, Regular Attender, Drove by, Social Media, Google, Personal Invite"],
+  "howHeard": ["ONLY items whose checkbox is marked, from: This is my church home, Regular Attender, Drove by, Social Media, Google, Personal Invite"],
   "howHeardOther": "string if Other is filled in, else null",
   "serviceAttended": "A" or "B" or "C" or "D" or null,
   "confidence": 0-100