Grades can feel like a big deal, and we want them to feel clear rather than confusing. Throughout the year, progress reports give you and your student regular snapshots of how things are going, along with natural moments to celebrate what's working and plan for what's next. This page walks you through what each report includes, who can see it, how you'll receive it, and how to support your student if a grade raises questions. As always, we're here to help.

How the Grading Year Works

Each semester includes three grading checkpoints: a six-week Academic Progress report, a 12-week progress report, and the Semester Report card at 18 weeks. Only semester grades appear on a student's transcript and count toward their cumulative GPA. The progress reports along the way are snapshots designed to help everyone stay informed and on track.

The Six-Week Academic Progress Report

The six-week Academic Progress report reflects student progress in each class as of September 25, and it is finalized by October 1.

What's included

These grades include summative assessments and formative work, if applicable, from the first six weeks of school. Keep in mind that the feedback-revision cycle on the first summatives may not yet be complete at this point, so some grades may still change as revisions are submitted and graded.

Why it matters

Even though it doesn't appear on the transcript, this benchmark gives students and educators a chance to assess progress and to check academic eligibility for extracurricular activities. To be eligible, a student must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher. It's also a great opportunity to connect with your student about the strategies that are working, the challenges they may be facing, and any support they might need moving forward.

Who can see it

School administrators, teachers, parents, students, and counselors all have access to the six-week progress report.

A Note for Families of Seniors

In most cases, six-week progress report grades are not sent to colleges and universities. The official marking period for grades is the semester. Semester grades will be sent to colleges that require a mid-year report, which includes grades through the 7th semester, and this can apply to both Early and Regular Decision admissions. A select few colleges will ask for a mid-semester progress report if the student has applied Early Action or Early Decision. In that situation, the counselor will consult with the student before sending any grades.

Receiving Reports

Parents and students will continue to receive emailed PDF reports once teachers have verified grades with the Academic Office. As we shift away from mailed reports, we are also piloting Doc Viewer in Schoology as a place to view your student's Progress Reports and Semester Report cards.

Didn't get your report?

Progress reports are sent directly from the reporting system's email provider, not through our school's email system. To keep the email out of your spam folder, please add the domain brightarrow.com to your whitelist or safe sender list.

Supporting Your Student

If a grade concerns you, remember that a progress report is a snapshot in time and is subject to change. Before drawing conclusions, it helps to consider the total number of graded assignments, any revisions that haven't yet been submitted or graded, any missing assignments that may be affecting the grade, and whether your student is struggling in several areas or just one class. Schoology can help you take a deeper dive into the "why" behind a grade. Looking at these factors may ease your concerns, or it may reveal an opportunity to help your student take a proactive approach to their learning.

Once you know what's contributing to the grade, invite your student to brainstorm what actions they can take. Here are a few ideas for your toolkit:

• Your student emails their teacher(s) to set up a meeting during Collaboration to review the steps needed to reach their potential in the course.
• Your student signs up for a Peer Tutor for additional support with homework and test preparation.
• Your student schedules a meeting with their counselor to identify areas for improvement and create a plan of action.
• You schedule a weekly check-in with your student to assess their progress and identify any additional support they may need.

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Contacting Teachers and Counselors

If you still have questions after talking with your student and reviewing Schoology for more context, you are always welcome to contact the teacher about any grade-related questions. Email is the best way to start that conversation, and you'll find the contact directory on the Parent Dashboard.

If you have serious concerns about your student's progress and want to explore whether extenuating factors may be getting in the way, please reach out to their counselor to talk it through.

We're In This Together

Progress reports and practice exams are opportunities for reflection and growth as we continue on this journey together. We're here to support you, and we're grateful for your continued partnership and trust. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!