Schools have incorporated grades in student education for centuries. We all have grades–some better than others. The question we want to ask ourselves: Are grades really necessary? 

As we all know, grades are averaged percentages based on students’ assignment scores. Each class has its categories that list averaged grades for different semesters or other various scholastic terms. Grades have differentiating purposes, most of which benefit the school and teachers/principals. Seventh grader Ameliana Castro, a student who said that she maintains good grades  explains her reasons for staying on top of her assignments and her strategy for successfully navigating grading periods.

“I only really keep good grades because it matters a lot to my parents,” Castro said. “My technique to remaining with good grades is just to work without procrastinating too much. Use the time given to work on things. It can get difficult sometimes–some things are pretty hard to grasp.” 

Seventh grader Amara Nwankwo believes that grades should only be included in particular classes. Her basic philosophy is: if a class is difficult, it should have graded assignments.

“Essentially core classes.  “Elective classes that are created for creativity or to have fun shouldn’t have any [grades],” Nwankwo said. “For example, math should have grades, but art shouldn’t. It takes the fun out of it, in my opinion.”

Shanda Thomas, a sixth grade ELA teacher, wholeheartedly supports grades. She believes that grades foster student accountability. Tallying grades for different assignments can provide proof when discussing a missing or failing grade with a student.

“This is middle school. A lot of kids lie when confronted by adults. That includes conflicts regarding grades.” Thomas said. “I mean, the moment I pull up Skyward, the students can only make so many excuses.”

Also a sixth grade ELA teacher, Luke Sheppherdthinks that grades are important for maintaining some seriousness in academic settings. 

“It [grades] just prolongs a sense of graveness,” Sheppherd says. “I believe that kids wouldn’t take learning seriously if there wasn’t some sort of marker. Grades are essentially the pillar that encourages students to follow expectations and pay attention in class.”

To contrast, sixth grader Rylee Danford objects the grading system, although it’s not for the reason you think. Danford brings up the “unrealistic” expectations that high-caliber universities rubricate when recruiting students. 

“I don’t have a problem with, like, ordinary grades we have now,” Danford said. “I just don’t believe in the ‘you need good grades to be a successful person’ kinda thing. I just think that it’s not right for, like, university people to only grant opportunities to brainsy kids.”