We rely on ongoing dialog with students and families in addition to checklists (twice annually) and narrative reports (twice annually) to communicate about what’s going on in the classroom. Written feedback begins at the kindergarten level. Checklist reports begin in fourth grade. All checklists and anecdotal reports are read by your child’s division head or grade adviser before they arrive at your home. If you have a question about an individual checklist or report, the division head or grade adviser is the person to call. You can read about “Why We Don’t Use Grades” here. Formal parent-teacher conferences are held once a year in November.
Middle and high school families will receive the first set of checklist reports shortly before the November parent-teacher conferences, where you will have an opportunity to discuss them with your child’s teachers. More detailed mid-year reports that describe both the classroom curriculum and your child’s learning are mailed home about halfway through the year.
The School considers checklist reports to be internal documents that do not become part of a student’s formal academic record and are not sent on when a student applies to a summer program, transfers schools, or applies to college. There may be individual exceptions as adjudicated by the division head or grade adviser. With the exception of senior year, mid-year reports are not sent to colleges.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s learning or would like to request a meeting with a teacher, feel free to contact the division office.