Hi families,
For the 2025/26 school year, River Valley School decided to implement two reporting periods, one in January and one in June, because research indicates that children perform better when they have more time to learn without the immediate pressure of being graded.
Why the change? Research indicates that children perform better when given ample time to learn and explore deeply.
Here’s how this approach benefits your child:
- More Time to Learn: By changing to two progress reports, your child has more time to really “get” what they are learning. By slowing down the pace, your child can truly connect with new ideas instead of rushing through them. This extra time helps them build the confidence they need to tackle more challenging work later on. They won’t have to rush through new ideas, which helps them feel more confident.
- Helpful Tips Every Day: Instead of waiting for a final grade, teachers will spend more time giving your child “on-the-spot” feedback. This means your child will receive helpful tips they can apply immediately to improve their work while they are still actively working on it.
- Better Information for You: These two report cards will now act as clear check-ins. They will provide you with a comprehensive and honest assessment of your child’s progress at the two most critical times of the school year.
Our approach to two progress reports is inspired by Carol Dweck’s well-known research on the ‘Growth Mindset.‘ Her work highlights that when a child receives a grade before they are ready, they might feel stuck, thinking they are ‘not good’ at a subject. By giving them more time, we encourage the power of ‘Yet.’ Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” students learn to say “I can’t do this yet,” which keeps the door open for growth and builds true resilience.
Our goal is to celebrate your child’s growth every single day. By moving to two reporting periods, we ensure our teachers spend their time where it matters most: right beside your child. This change provides high-quality, immediate feedback, helping your child master new skills and build lasting confidence for success.
Best,
Mary Amantea-Klukas
River Valley School
Director of Teaching and Learning
