Many students get lazy because they know the end of the marking period is approaching, so they don’t put in as much effort as they did the first marking period. A lot of them show up to school but are not actively engaged in class, which causes them to slack off and it ends up severely impacting their grades. This is even more damaging to seniors who are supposed to be graduating. Although mid-point marking period grades don’t go on students’ transcripts it should still be taken seriously, because it’s a great way for them to see how they’re doing in their classes and a wake up call, for those who need it, to make changes in their behavior.
May Ali, a freshman says, “midpoint grades help me see where I really stand before it’s too late to improve. I think teachers can support us more by giving clear feedback and checking in one-on-one so we know exactly what to work on before the end of the marking period.”
May’s quote explains that midpoint marking period grades are a great way for students to evaluate where they currently stand academically before final grades. She views them as something that pushes her to improve, especially when she might not realize she’s falling behind. May emphasizes the importance of teacher support, suggesting that detailed feedback and one-on-one check-ins can make a significant difference.
Muhamadou Mbye, a senior says, “My grades right now aren’t terrible, but they’re not exactly where I want them to be either. I struggle the most in English class, because I don’t like it. Midpoint grades do help, though, because they show how you’ve been doing and what you need to fix,” he said. “I’m most confident in history because I actually enjoy it and do well on the tests. My goal is to turn all of my homework in on time. I’ve noticed that writing everything down has helped me stay more organized.”
His quote highlights self-awareness and steps he’s taking to become more successful. He recognizes both his strengths and weaknesses, connecting his performance to his interest in the subject. His use of midpoint grades as a checkpoint, along with strategies like staying organized, shows a desire to improve and a responsible approach towards academic success.
“To be honest, I didn’t think much about my grades until my midpoint grades came out. I got a 65 in both Spanish and Algebra 2. I know I need to bring my grade up or at least keep it the same, otherwise I could go to summer school. I’ll probably start going to tutoring.” Junior, Jayden Flores says.
Flores explains the moment of realization brought on by the midpoint marking period grades. The student admits he hadn’t paid much attention to his grades until seeing them all at once, which I’m sure a lot of students can relate to. This helped him recognize areas where he’s not been doing so well, specifically Spanish and Algebra. Although he doesn’t guarantee he’s going to tutoring, it’s apparent that he’s aware that he needs it.
At JDHS, students have access to various academic support services they can attend to help them improve their performance. These include tutoring and reassessment opportunities, as well as weekend Academic Intervention Support Programs, which are available by invitation. Students can seek assistance in subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language.
Environmental teacher Ms. Afrin says, “Midpoint grades help me understand which students need support to be successful in their final report card. Some students are good to go, but others need extra support or check-ins. Engaging is not as great as I want it to be. To keep students motivated, I remind them they are almost at the finish line, so they must finish the school year strong,” she said. “Students should evaluate their progress and aim to receive higher than 95.”
Ms. Afrin’s perspective shows that midpoint grades are a way for teachers to see who’s doing well and who might be slipping behind. Her concern about student engagement points to a common problem many teachers face: keeping students focused. By encouraging students to stay focused and aim for higher grades, because of how close they are to the end.
Overall, midpoint marking period grades offer insight into personal progress and highlight where attention is needed most. With encouragement from teachers and access to helpful programs, students have resources at their disposal to help improve their grades and build better study routines before final report cards.
