NYC – For Families — Go Beyond Grades

From Grades to Growth: Helping NYC Students Thrive

#GoBeyondGradesNYC

Grades are important. But they don’t always tell the whole story.

Grades, test scores, classroom work, teacher feedback – and what you see at home – all help create a more complete picture of your child’s progress.

Start the School Year Strong

Three Ways to Support Learning

CONNECT with your child’s teacher.

Reach out at the start of the school year to introduce yourself and start building a strong partnership.

Protip:

You know your child best. Use the Dear Teacher letter to share their strengths, interests, and what helps them learn.

KNOW what your child is learning – and how they’re doing in school.

NYCPS has updated its reading and math instruction through NYC Reads and NYC Solves. Find out what your child is expected to learn this year and how you can help at home.

Protip:

Ask for examples of “grade level” work so you can see what your child is working toward. For questions to ask your child about what they’re reading, check out NYC Reads Together’s Be on the Same Page.

PLAN for what comes next.

Use parent-teacher conferences to talk about your child’s strengths and progress, where they may need more support to reinforce what they’re learning in class.

Protip:

Use the Parent Teacher Planning Tool before or during parent-teacher conferences to map out a plan for your child’s growth.

How to Support Your Child As They Grow

Elementary School

(K-5th Grade)

Build a strong foundation in reading and math through NYC Reads and NYC Solves. Learn what on-grade-level work looks like, ask the teacher about your child’s progress, and help build strong attendance and learning habits from the start of the year.

Middle School

(6th-8th Grade)

As reading and math become more challenging, stay connected with your child’s teacher about their progress, the curriculum they are learning, and how to support learning at home. These years are an important time to build the skills and confidence needed for high school.

High School

(9th-12th Grade)

Help your teen prepare for life after graduation by staying informed about their academic progress and exploring college and career pathways together. Use Paths to Success to learn about key milestones and options after graduation.

Check out one family’s story about the importance of going beyond grades.

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Did You Know?

87% of NYC parents believe their child reads at or above grade level.

81% believe their child is at or above grade level in math.

Yet, only about 50% of NYC students are on grade level in reading and 57% in math.

NYC parents want a curriculum that works for all learners, connects learning to the real world, and gives families specific ways to support learning at home.

Helping with homework is the #1 action NYC parents take to support their child's education, but many feel left "on the outside looking in" when it comes to curriculum changes.*

When it comes to a new curriculum, NYC parents prioritize tools and resources to understand what their child is learning, partner with teachers to support learning and home, and see examples of grade-level work.

One in five kids in the U.S. has a learning and thinking difference like dyslexia or ADHD.

Parents of children with learning differences experience much higher rates of academic worry, making it especially important to build a strong partnership with your child's teacher early in the school year.***

Featured Partner Resources

Check out these helpful links and stay tuned for new partner resources

*Learning Heroes NYC Reads/NYC Solves New York City Parent/Caregiver Survey
**NYC Public Schools, 2026 English Language Arts, Math and Science Results Summary, Grades 3–8
***Learning and Thinking Differences: A Playbook for Schools, Service Providers & Advocates

From Grades to Growth: Helping NYC Students Thrive

#GoBeyondGradesNYC

Grades are important. But they don’t always tell the whole story.

Grades, test scores, classroom work, teacher feedback – and what you see at home – all help create a more complete picture of your child’s progress.

Start the School Year Strong

Three Ways to Support Learning

CONNECT with your child’s teacher.

Protip:

KNOW what your child is learning – and how they’re doing in school.

Protip:

PLAN for what comes next.

Protip:

How to Support Your Child As They Grow

Elementary School

(K-5th Grade)

Middle School

(6th-8th Grade)

High School

(9th-12th Grade)

Check out one family’s story about the importance of going beyond grades.

Did You Know?

87% of NYC parents believe their child reads at or above grade level.

81% believe their child is at or above grade level in math.

Yet, only about 50% of NYC students are on grade level in reading and 57% in math.

NYC parents want a curriculum that works for all learners, connects learning to the real world, and gives families specific ways to support learning at home.

Helping with homework is the #1 action NYC parents take to support their child's education, but many feel left "on the outside looking in" when it comes to curriculum changes.*

When it comes to a new curriculum, NYC parents prioritize tools and resources to understand what their child is learning, partner with teachers to support learning and home, and see examples of grade-level work.

One in five kids in the U.S. has a learning and thinking difference like dyslexia or ADHD.

Parents of children with learning differences experience much higher rates of academic worry, making it especially important to build a strong partnership with your child's teacher early in the school year.***

Featured Partner Resources

Check out these helpful links and stay tuned for new partner resources

InsideSchools Search Tool

National PTA Family Guides

WNET Let’s Learn

Attendance Works Chronic Absenteeism Information

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