That’s a curious question and probably wouldn’t have crossed your mind before this past year. But after navigating virtual and hybrid learning, with some success and some not so successful results, you might be wondering, “do middle school grades matter, anyway?”
Will colleges focus on middle school grades? Will they look that early in your child’s education to decide whether or not to admit them to an educational program? Probably not.
We all know how important high school grades are. A student that takes a high school level or Advanced Placement course can earn valuable high school credit, and those course credits can be as valuable as money if accepted at your child’s school of choice. If not a dollar for dollar exchange, it could allow your child to earn credit for the class taken and the freedom to choose another course to enrich their college experience.
And yet, how much emphasis should be placed on middle school grades? As a teacher and mom, I can give a valid argument for why middle school grades should matter to you and your child as well. And this argument focuses less on the actual grades themselves, and more on what those grades indicate: work ethic, focus, and a lifestyle of learning.
Here’s Why Middle School Grades Really DO Matter
First, imagine leaving 5th grade with the mindset of grades won’t matter until 9th grade. It would be one thing to take the break for three years and not stress about studying, tests, homework and academic extra-curricular participation. There may be less tears, stress, arguments and more free time for sports, hobbies, video games and socializing.
Then, freshman year of high school marks the return to long abandoned study habits. Enter the tears, arguments, stress and that may just be for you! There is always the learning curve of knowing the balance of what will work to earn the A or B and then adjusting when the desired results are not met. Not to mention the stress of blending with new students, teen hormones and peer pressure.
Additionally, there are scholarship opportunities available as early as middle school. Depending on your school’s participation, there are programs such as Future Business Leaders of America and Skills USA that offer encouragement and accolades for excellence in academic and skill based programs.
It’s Less About Grades, & More About Creating a Positive Habits
I equate contemplating this type of hiatus as saying I will give all abandon to my eating habits for three years and hop back on a healthy lifestyle in 2024. It’s always going to take longer to fix the error in my thinking than it did to exact the initial damage. Even if I spend three years working at it and still gain a pound or two, I’m sure it would have been much worse as a three-year free for all!
Now imagine balanced middle school expectations for you and your child. Perhaps improving in an area, such as reading, and concentrating on not losing any ground in mathematics. It may take some time to balance the amount of homework needed with study time and extra curriculars to keep your child well-rounded and emotionally happy, but it’s worth it to see your child grow throughout middle school.
When they emerge after 8th grade and are ready to attend high school, you and your child already know what works and what doesn’t. Focus can begin towards future pursuits, whether college, a technical school or a semester abroad is in store, and free time can be used for enrichment activities rather than remediating subjects that were neglected in middle school.
Learning is a Life-Long Journey And That Journey Starts Early
I see learning as a life long journey. Not only for your child, but for you. As humans we owe it to ourselves and mankind to further our potential. Carving out time to learn new skills and hone existing skills is important. As a parent, you have the ability to show your child just how important learning is. That doesn’t start in high school; it starts much earlier on.
So, do middle school grades matter? Yes, they do matter. I hope you will consider the importance of middle school grades with a different perspective. While I don’t believe students should be stressed to the ends of their patience by academic challenges, a healthy competition, even with themselves, will build their character, integrity, and confidence in the long run, and will set them up for a lifetime of learning new skills and expanding their abilities.
Barbara Ashman