How to Check Grades on Parent Portal: Complete Guide

Learn how to find and understand your child's grades in any parent portal system. Step-by-step instructions with tips for spotting problems early.

2 minute grade check

Works for all systems

Parent viewing student grades on laptop - check grades on parent portal

728x90 (320x50 mobile)

Quick Links:

🎓 PowerSchool Grades 📚 Infinite Campus Grades 📖 Aeries Grades 🏫 Genesis Grades 🎯 Focus Grades 📝 SchoolTool Grades

Why Regular Grade Checking Matters

Parents who regularly check grades online are more likely to catch academic problems before they become crises. Here's why making grade-checking a habit pays off:

Catch Problems Early

Spot missing assignments or dropping grades before report cards come out.

Track Improvement

See the positive impact of studying and tutoring in real-time.

Better Conversations

Talk to your child about specific classes or assignments, not just "school".

Teacher Communication

Email teachers with specific questions about assignments or grades.

Research Shows: Parent Portal Access Improves Grades

Students whose parents regularly check grades online are 40% less likely to fail courses and more likely to maintain a GPA above 2.5. The effect is strongest in middle and high school, where course content becomes more challenging.

How to Find Grades in Any Parent Portal

While each system looks different, they all follow similar patterns. Here's how to find grades in almost any parent portal:

Look for These Menu Items

After logging in, scan the menu for terms like: Grades, Gradebook, Assignments, Academics, Progress, Report Card, or Classes.

💡 Some portals place grades on the dashboard homepage—look there first!

Navigate to the Current Term

Most portals default to the current grading period. If not, look for dropdown menus or tabs to select: Q1, Q2, Semester 1, Trimester, or Fall/Spring.

💡 Grades from previous terms are usually in a separate "History" or "Archive" section.

Click on Individual Grades for Details

Click on a grade percentage to see the full assignment breakdown. You'll see individual assignments, tests, projects, and their point values.

💡 This is where you'll find missing assignments marked with "M" or "Missing."

Look for Grade Trends or Graphs

Many portals now show visual grade trends over time. These can show if a grade is improving or declining.

💡 Some systems also show class average comparisons—helpful context for understanding performance.

Understanding What You're Seeing

Grade displays can be confusing. Here's how to interpret common elements:

Grade Percentage vs. Letter Grade

Most portals show both the numerical percentage (e.g., 87%) and letter grade (e.g., B). The percentage is more precise and shows how close a student is to the next letter grade.

Grade	Typical Range	Status
A	90-100%	Excellent
B	80-89%	Good
C	70-79%	Satisfactory
D	60-69%	Below Average
F	Below 60%	Failing

* Exact ranges vary by school district

Common Grade Codes

MMissing

IIncomplete

NGNo Grade

P/FPass/Fail

TTurned In

LLate

—Not Graded

EXExcused

Weighted vs. Unweighted Grades

In high school, many schools use weighted grades where advanced classes (Honors, AP, IB) count extra:

Regular class: A = 4.0
Honors class: A = 4.5 or 5.0
AP/IB class: A = 5.0

Your portal may show both weighted and unweighted GPA—check with your counselor if unsure which is used for college admissions.

What to Do When You Spot a Problem

Checking grades is only valuable if you take action. Here's what to do when you see something concerning:

Missing Assignments

Ask your child if they completed the work. If yes, they may not have submitted it properly. Check the teacher's class policies for late work. Email the teacher immediately—some don't accept late work regardless of reason.

Surprising Low Grade

Click into the grade to see which assignments are dragging it down. Was there one difficult test or consistently low scores? Consider: tutoring, extra credit opportunities, or meeting with the teacher.

Grade Suddenly Dropped

This usually means a new poor grade was entered or a zero for missing work. Check assignment details. If it seems wrong, politely email the teacher: "I noticed [Grade] dropped to [New Grade]—can you help me understand what happened?"

Grade Seems Incorrect

Mistakes happen. Teachers enter grades manually and can make errors. Email politely: "I noticed [Assignment] shows [Grade], but I believe it should be [Different Grade]. Can you please double-check?"

Grade Checking Tips by Grade Level

Elementary School (K-5)

Many elementary portals use standards-based grading (1-4 scale) rather than letter grades. You'll see performance indicators for each subject standard.

Tip: Focus on effort and completion rather than scores. Elementary grades are less predictive of future performance than study habits.

Middle School (6-8)

Letter grades become standard. This is when grades start "counting" for placement in high school classes. Missing assignments become more damaging to overall grades.

""A C is still not good enough.""

Remember

Grades reflect performance at a point in time, not your child\'s worth or potential. The goal of grade checking is to provide support, not pressure. Approach every grade conversation as a problem-solving discussion, not an interrogation.

Stay Involved in Your Child's Education

Regular grade checking is one of the most effective ways to support your student. Explore our other guides for more parent portal help.

Find Your School System More Guides