A Mid-Year Checklist for Online School Success

December 5, 2023 byEmily Ewen

2 min to read

A student and learning coach going over a checklist.

Although December falls at the end of the calendar year, it often marks the mid-year point of the academic school year. This is a great time to check in on your student’s academic progress. Have you stuck with your original plan from the beginning of the year? Are you tracking the goals you and your student set along the way? Now is a great time to reflect on your student checklist—what’s working and what might need to change—as well as look toward the future for a successful spring and summer.

Your Mid-Year Checklist for Online School

Here is a handy school year checklist with items to help you take a look at the important areas of your student’s educational plan at the halfway point of the school year.

1. Evaluate grades.

Grades are one of the most straightforward ways to see how your student is doing with their mid-year checklist. Check in with your student on their grades and how their habits and actions are contributing to those grades. If your student is doing well, ask them how they can keep up the good work. If there’s room for improvement, set small goals to help them bridge the gap or hire a tutor.

2. Identify areas of improvement.

Beyond grades, talk to your student about other areas or skills that may require improvement. For example, is your student working on any life skills? How are they doing in the areas of time management, organization, socialization, or problem solving? Remember to tailor your conversations and expectations to your student’s specific grade level. Ask yourself, “What should my student know?”

3. Discuss personal and academic goals.

Break out the list of goals you set at the beginning of the year and set a time to reflect with your student on these ambitions. Are you on track to reach them? Are there any goals that don’t apply or need to change? Make any amendments to the list and use this conversation as a refresher and re-motivator as you finish out the school year.

4. Get a head start on planning for summer.

It’s never too early to prepare for the future. Plus, when it comes to summer programs and activities, you often need to register months in advance. Take a look at your calendar and talk to your child about activities that interest them. Check out sports leagues, community education classes, and local part-time jobs for older kids.

5. Evaluate your learning space.

How is your learning or classroom space looking this time of year? It might be time for a mid-year cleaning or organizational refresh. In fact, cluttered spaces or distractions can actually hinder your student from getting the most out of their lessons during the school day. Start by getting rid of any materials, papers, or clutter that you don’t need anymore.