Understanding Ontario Report Cards: A Guide for Parents

Ontario’s report cards provide a structured way for educators to communicate student progress, but for many parents, understanding the nuances of grading, learning skills, next steps, and teacher comments can be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll break down how report cards work in Ontario, how to interpret them, and how tutoring can help if your child needs extra support.

How Do Ontario Report Cards Work?

Ontario has standardized report cards for all publicly funded schools, ensuring consistency in assessing and reporting student progress. In Elementary school (grades 1 – 8), a progress report is issued in the Fall and provincial report cards are issued in the winter and at the end of the school year. In high schools without semesters, report cards are issued three times per year, and in semestered high schools, they are issued per semester.

Structure of Ontario Report Cards

Student Information – Basic details such as student name, grade, and reporting period.

Learning Skills & Work Habits – Assessment of personal development skills like responsibility, organization, and collaboration.

Academic Achievement – Subject-specific letter grades or percentages.

Teacher Comments – Personalized feedback on strengths, challenges, and next steps.

Attendance Records – Number of days missed and lates recorded.

How Do I Actually Know Where My Child Is At?

Many parents struggle to interpret report cards beyond just the letter grades or percentages. To get a clear picture of where your child stands academically, consider the following:

Look Beyond the Grades

• Grades 1–6: Letter grades (A, B, C, D) indicate how well students meet expectations with a B representing the provincial standard for achievement. A grade above B indicates a student is exceeding expectations.

• Grades 7–8: Percentage grades give more precision. A grade between 70-79% represents the provincial standard for achievement.

• Grades 9–12: A 50%+ mark is a pass, but universities often require 70%+ in core subjects.

💡 Tip: If your child’s grades are lower than expected, review the teacher’s comments for insights into the “why” behind the grade.

Understand Learning Skills and Work Habits

This section is key! A student may have good grades but struggles with time management or self-regulation—skills that impact long-term success. If your child receives an S (Satisfactory) or N (Needs Improvement) in these areas, they may need additional support with organization and study habits.

💡 Tip: Ask your child’s teacher for specific strategies if their learning skills need improvement.

Compare Progress Over Time

• Is there an upward trend in grades?

• Is your child struggling with the same subject every term?

• Do they excel in some areas but struggle in others?

Looking at patterns over multiple report cards can help identify whether a short-term struggle is happening or if long-term support is needed.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Education

Tutoring Support: Helping Your Child Succeed

If your child’s report card suggests challenges in certain subjects, tutoring can provide personalized intervention before the gaps widen.

How Can Tutoring Help?

✔ Strengthen Weak Areas – Reinforce topics where your child struggles.

✔ Boost Confidence – One-on-one support can reduce frustration and build motivation.

✔ Develop Study Skills – Improve organization, time management, and test preparation.

✔ Specialized Support – Tutors can help students with IEPs, ADHD, Dyslexia, and other learning challenges.

Signs Your Child May Need Tutoring

• Drop in grades over multiple report periods

• Teacher comments mentioning “lack of engagement", "difficulty understanding concepts” or “requires extensive support or encouragement...”

• Struggles with homework completion or time management

• Low confidence or frustration with schoolwork

• Grades below the provincial standard

💡 Proactive tutoring is better than waiting until a child is falling behind. The earlier challenges are addressed, the more effective the intervention will be.

How Connect Education Can Help

At Connect Education, we specialize in one-on-one tutoring that is tailored to your child’s unique needs. Whether your child is struggling in a subject or looking to boost their academic performance, our certified teachers can help.

Why Parents Trust Connect Education:

✔ Certified Teachers – Not just tutors, but real educators who understand the Ontario curriculum.

✔ Personalized Learning Plans – Tailored instruction based on your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

✔ Flexible Scheduling – Online or in-person tutoring that fits your family’s schedule.

✔ Support for All Subjects – Math, Science, English, French, History, and more!

✔ Special Education Expertise – Experienced in supporting students with IEPs, Dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning needs.

Book a FREE assessment today at Connect Education and give your child the academic support they deserve!

Ontario’s report cards are a powerful tool for tracking student progress, but knowing how to interpret them is key. By focusing on teacher comments, learning skills, and trends over time, parents can make informed decisions about their child’s education. And when extra support is needed, tutoring with Connect Education ensures that your child gets the personalized attention they need to thrive.

Have questions about your child’s report card? Contact us today for expert guidance!