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Prof. Development

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125 report card comments.

It's report card time and you face the prospect of writing constructive, insightful, and original comments on a couple dozen report cards or more.  Here are 125 positive report card comments for you to use and adapt!

writing general comments for school reports

You've reached the end of another grading period, and what could be more daunting than the task of composing insightful, original, and unique comments about every child in your class? The following positive statements will help you tailor your comments to specific children and highlight their strengths.

You can also use our statements to indicate a need for improvement. Turn the words around a bit, and you will transform each into a goal for a child to work toward. Sam cooperates consistently with others becomes Sam needs to cooperate more consistently with others, and Sally uses vivid language in writing may instead read With practice, Sally will learn to use vivid language in her writing. Make Jan seeks new challenges into a request for parental support by changing it to read Please encourage Jan to seek new challenges.

Whether you are tweaking statements from this page or creating original ones, check out our Report Card Thesaurus [see bottom of the page] that contains a list of appropriate adjectives and adverbs. There you will find the right words to keep your comments fresh and accurate.

We have organized our 125 report card comments by category. Read the entire list or click one of the category links below to jump to that list.

Attitude Behavior Character Communication Skills Group Work Interests and Talents Participation Social Skills Time Management Work Habits

The student:

Communication Skills

Interests and Talents

Participation

Social Skills

Time Management

Work Habits

Related: Needs Improvement Report Card Comments  for even more comments!

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writing general comments for school reports

Sal

325 amazing report card comments and remarks to save your time!

teacher giving report card comments

What's more difficult than creating your student report cards? Writing unique and meaningful report card comments. Creating report card comments and remarks can be a daunting and tedious task for teachers.

Every teacher will agree that writing unique report card comments is important as it helps the parents to understand their child's progress, they can take necessary action by understanding the report card comments.

We have made your task easier by providing a list of report card comments for every feedback category and applicable to all grades. Just copy and paste the comment, insert the student's name and you are good to go! You can edit and modify the comments as you like.

Achievement and Improvement - General Comments:

Achievement and Improvement - Academic Achievement:

Achievement and Improvement - Improvement:

Work habits - General Report Card Comments:

Work habits - listening skills:

Work habits - Quality of work:

Work habits - Time management:

Work habits - Work potential and effort report card comments:

Personality and Attitude - General report card comments:

Personality and Attitude - Attitude:

Personality and attitude - Personality:

Personality and Attitude - Participation:

End of Year - General Report Card Comments:

End of Year - Phrases:

Language Arts and Reading - Report Card Remarks:

Language Arts and Reading - Listening:

Language Arts and Reading - Reading and Vocabulary report card comments:

Language Arts and Reading- Speaking:

Language Arts and Reading - Writing:

General and Handwriting - General Report Card Remarks:

General and Handwriting - Handwriting:

Category wise:

Below Average:

Use EduCloud Report Card system to create reports with inbuilt report card comment bank. Save your own comments for future use.

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writing general comments for school reports

Writing & Grammar

100 Report Card Comments You Can Use Now

100 Report Card Comments

When teachers talk about the joys of teaching, I’m pretty sure they aren’t talking about report card writing. It may just rank right up there with indoor recess, yard duty, and staff meetings. But report cards don’t have to be such a pain.

Here are a few report card general principles, followed by my handy dandy list of editable go-to phrases…

Three report card comment principles, 1. be truthful but kind.

A report card’s main purpose is to inform parents about their child’s progress. While there should be no major surprises (BIG issues should have already been discussed with the child’s parents), regardless of how well the child is doing or how poorly, the report card should be an honest reflection of that child’s performance.

Having said that, of course, we want to word things in a way that is as positive as we can be and in a way that is encouraging, offering suggestions for improvement, rather than discouragement.

2. Follow the Magical Report Card Comment Format

If the child is doing well overall… you are golden!!! An easy report card is one that I LOVE to do. Unfortunately, not all kids are Einsteins or angels, and we have to mention some areas that need improvement. That’s when we use the magical format, which is…

A. Start with a compliment…you might have to dig deep here but get creative, while still being genuine (Okay, you might have to really reach for one sometimes, not gonna lie). Seriously though, every child has attributes we can praise, even the most challenging kids.

B. Next, add a line or two about what is challenging the child, how he/she struggles in a certain area, and do make sure to offer a solution or suggestion that is practical and helpful.

C. End on a positive note. Again, a compliment is a nice touch any time of the year and for the end of the year report card, a best wishes for ____ grade or have a wonderful summer, or I’m so glad to have been ____’s teacher this year, and so on works well.

3. Proofread and Check, then Proofread Again

Report card time is crunch time and when we’re trying to speed through things and get them done, those nasty little typos pop up where we least expect them.

Do make sure to double-check everything before you hit print and send them home. All communication to parents is seen as a reflection of ourselves as teachers and should be as perfect as we can make it.

Now that the principles are out of the way, here is my list of 100 report card comments. I’ve included a wide variety of comments for the wide variety of ability levels and behavioral challenges of the kids that we teach in our classrooms.

If you’d like to a free printable PDF of this list from The Teacher Next Door TPT Store, please click here: 👉 100 Report Card Comments You Can Use Now

Need a new favorite marking pen for your report cards? These are my personal favorite. I love ballpoint pens because they don’t bleed through and they come in a rainbow of colors.

writing general comments for school reports

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What makes a good report card comment

Tips for writing effective report card comments, report card comments you can use today.

Giving students constructive criticism is one of the most important tasks a teacher faces. It can be difficult to know how to best communicate with a student about their progress, especially when it comes to report card comments. This guide will help you write effective report card comments that are clear, concise, and accurate. So let’s get started!

What Makes a Good Report Card Comment?

Image of report card comments

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing report card comments . Here is what makes a good report card comment:

1. Positive and Solution-Focused

It’s important to focus on the positive when writing report card comments. For every negative comment, there should be at least two positive comments. This report card comment template is a great way to make sure you’re including both positive and negative feedback in your comments.

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2. Clear and Concise

Report card comments should be clear and concise. This means avoiding generalities and using specific, concrete examples. This will help the student (and their parents) understand what they need to work on.

3. Accurate

Report card comments should be accurate. This means making sure your comments align with the grades the student has earned. There’s no point in sugar-coating a bad grade – it will only confuse the student and their parents.

Now that we’ve gone over what makes a good report card comment let’s look at some tips for writing effective report card comments.

Tips for Writing Effective Report Card Comments

Infographic of a child's report card

1. Use Specific, Concrete Examples

One of the most important things to do when writing report card comments is to use specific, concrete examples. This will help the student understand what they need to work on. For example, instead of saying, “______ needs to work on his behavior,” you could say, “_____ needs to work on staying seated during class.”

2. Avoid Generalities

When writing comments on a report card, it’s important to avoid generalities. For example, instead of writing “Your child is a joy to have in class,” try something more specific, such as “Your child is always willing to help out other students.” This will give the student and their family a better idea of what they’re doing well and what areas they can continue to improve in.

3. Use Positive Language

It’s essential to use positive language when writing report card comments. This means avoiding negative words like “doesn’t,” “won’t,” and “can’t.” For example, instead of writing “_____ doesn’t pay attention in class,” try “_____ is working on paying attention in class.” This small change can make a big difference in how students and their families perceive their progress.

4. Employ Sandwich Technique

The sandwich technique is a great way to deliver both positive and negative feedback in a report card comment. This means starting with a positive comment, followed by constructive criticism, and ending with another positive comment. This gives the student a sense of their progress while still providing areas for improvement.

5. Proofread Your Comments

When writing report card comments, it’s important to be clear and accurate. However, it’s also important to make sure that your comments are free of typos and grammatical errors. After all, you don’t want to give a student or their family the wrong impression about their academic progress! Make sure to proofread your comments before sending them home.

Now that we’ve gone over some tips for writing effective report card comments let’s take a look at some examples.

Example Report Card Comments

writing general comments for school reports

We have divided our report card comments into four categories:

1. Academic Achievement

This is for students who have performed well academically. These comments assess a student’s progress and encourage future academic success.

1. ______ is an excellent student who always comes prepared for class. He is a joy to have in class and is always willing to help out other students.

2. _______ is a smart and inquisitive student who loves to learn. She is a pleasure to have in class and is always asking questions.

3. _______ is a hard-working student who is always trying his best. This year, he has made great progress, and I’m excited to see what he does next year.

4. _______ is a gifted student who excels in all her subjects. She has a bright future ahead of her, and I’m excited to see what she accomplishes.

5. _______ is a talented student who has a real passion for learning. He is always asking questions and is eager to get his hands on new material.

2. Partially Meeting Expectations

This is for students who are partially meeting expectations academically.

1. _______ is an intelligent student who has great potential. He needs to work on staying focused in class and following directions.

2. _______ is a hard-working student who is making progress. She need to work on ___________ and ___________.

3. _______ has moments of greatness, but he needs to be more consistent with his effort and focus.

4. _______ is a bright student, but she needs to learn to apply herself more consistently.

5. _______ is a hard worker, but he needs to improve his organizational skills.

3. Social/Emotional Development

This is for students who are developing well socially and emotionally .

1. _______ is a kind and caring student who always looks out for others. He is a good friend to all and is always willing to help.

2. _______ has made great strides in his/her social development this year. She is more confident and able to express herself well.

3. _______ works well with others and is able to take turns and share.

4. _______ is a leader among his/her peers and is often looked up to by other students.

5. _______  is an independent thinker who is not afraid to express his/her opinions.

4. General Development

This is for students who are developing well academically, socially, and emotionally.

1. _______ has made great strides in his/her development this year. He is more confident and independent and is doing well academically.

2. _______ is a happy and thriving student who loves school. She is making friends and doing well academically.

3. _______ is a well-rounded student who is doing well in all areas. He is a good friend, does his best in school, and loves to learn.

4. _______ is a joy to have in class. She is polite, hard-working, and always has a smile on her face.

5. _______ is a model student who always puts his best foot forward. He is a role model to others and sets a good example for all to follow.

Let’s Grade!

writing general comments for school reports

Now that we have gone over some tips for writing effective report card comments and examples of what to write, it’s time to get started on those report cards! We hope this guide has been helpful and wish you the best of luck in the new school year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should i do if i’m having trouble coming up with something to write.

If you’re struggling to come up with something to write, try focusing on the positive. Instead of starting with what the student needs to work on, start with what the student is doing well. This will help you brainstorm some ideas of things to say. You can also ask other teachers or the student’s parents for input.

Can I use report card comments from other sources?

While you can use comments from other sources as inspiration, you must take the time to personalize each comment. This way, the student and their family will know that you took the time to write something specifically for them.

What if I need to give a student negative feedback?

If you need to give a student negative feedback, it’s essential to be clear, concise, and constructive. For example, instead of writing “________ is lazy and doesn’t do his work,” try “________ needs to work on being more diligent with his schoolwork.” It’s also important to balance any negative comments with positive ones. This way, the student and their family will know that you still see potential and are invested in their success.

Do I need to write a comment for every subject?

While you don’t need to write a comment for every subject, it’s generally a good idea to do so. This way, the student and their family will have a complete picture of their progress. If you’re short on time, try focusing on the subjects that the student is struggling in or that you feel are most important.

What is the best way to end a report card comment?

The best way to end a report card comment is with a statement of hope or encouragement. For example, you could write, “I’m looking forward to seeing ________ progress in the second half of the year” or “I know that ________ can reach his/her goals if he/she continues to work hard.”

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From our blog

105 Report Card Comments to Use and Adapt

writing general comments for school reports

Reviewed by Sarah Tino, M.Ed.

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Learning skills (positive comments)

Learning skills (needs improvement), addition and subtraction, skip counting, place value, comparing numbers, addition with regrouping.

Language (general)

Reading responses, reading comprehension, response journal, note taking, distance learning.

Just about every teacher agrees: report card comments are important to provide insights and next steps to students and families. But there are few who actually look forward to writing them.

Because every instructor knows working under tight deadlines to create upwards of 20 unique and detailed reports at the end of the year or term isn’t exactly straightforward (or particularly fun). That's especially true in the era of distance learning.

And while no one at your school knows your students better than you do, writing valuable report card comments for each of them can be a huge challenge.

That’s why we created a list of 105 sample report card comments — starters to help you find ideas, inspiration, and insights while writing your own report cards.

The 105 report card comments in this list will help you:

Report card comment starters

You'll notice that the report card comments below can act as a springboard for more fully developed ones. But don't worry, using them you'll be able to take some of these one-liners and turn them into insightful and actionable next steps!

For example, you'll be able to take a 1st grade number sense comment like "Your child is able to add and subtract numbers up to 20 using various manipulatives" and transform it into:

Your child is able to add and subtract numbers up to 20 using various manipulatives. This was evident when he was working independently to solve a real-world problem by adding toys in the classroom toy bin. As a next step, they should continue to add to larger numbers to encourage his skills. You can support him by asking him to add his own toy piles at home.

Or taking a responsibility-related learning skill comment from "Your child is able to take responsibility for her own actions both in and out of the classroom" to:

Your child is able to take responsibility for her own actions both in and out of the classroom. She often checks her agenda and day planner to make sure she has all of the necessary materials to complete work at home before leaving. During indoor recess, she takes time to tidy up everything she was playing with.

Notice the difference?

Compared to a single number or letter grade, report card comments can provide even more value to your students and their families. In other words, a number or letter or grade captures the what , while an accompanying comment captures the how .

Depending on the age group or grade level you teach, a letter or grade letter might be enough. However, research in Phi Delta Kappan, the professional journal for educators, suggests:

Comments that identify what students did well, what improvements they need to make, and how to make those improvements, provided with sensitivity to important contextual elements, can guide students on their pathways to learning success and ensure that all learn excellently.

Gather insights into student performance all year long and make report card writing easier with Prodigy, the adaptive math game that students love.

Math (general comments)

Word problems (math)

As we move into language and literacy, the following sections include starter report card comments which cover reading, writing, oral communication and critical thinking skills.

Tips for teachers to write more effective report card comments

writing general comments for school reports

Somewhere around the halfway point to your deadline for report cards, you make your best effort to use time at the end of each week to reflect — and jot down notes — about your students’ performance and class week.

What are their strengths and weaknesses? How are their social skills developing with classmates? How is their class participation - are they an enthusiastic learner? Have they shown great improvement in one particular subject area? Are homework assignments getting done? Have any new challenges come up that affect learning?

Even just a few minutes of note-taking in the weeks preceding report card deadlines will help to ease your stress when the time comes to write your final comments.

Moreover, having a dated log of information detailed throughout the school year will help you remember how students are performing throughout each week, which can be valuable information come parent-teacher conference time.

This will also help to engage and reassure parents who want relevant and detailed commentary about their child’s performance at school.

writing general comments for school reports

Use Prodigy to write insightful report cards with a minimum of hassle. Prodigy Math is an engaging math adventure for students where success depends on correctly answering adaptive math questions. 

As students play, you’ll get insights into:

Use one of Prodigy’s eight reports to track student progress throughout the year. When the time comes to write report card comments, you’ll have detailed reports on all your students’ achievements.

Just getting started with Prodigy? No problem! The first time students explore the world of Prodigy Math, they’ll start completing the Placement Test — without even knowing. Once they’re done, you’ll have a snapshot of the grade level they’re at, what they know and specific skills they still need to work on.

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Spend more time teaching and less time grading

Prep for standardized tests, deliver adaptive skill practice or test students on a new skill — all while they play Prodigy Math, Prodigy English, or both!

writing general comments for school reports

Although every report card cannot be glowingly positive, do strive to write in an encouraging and informational tone. As you write constructive report card comments, use encouraging language that focuses on the student’s opportunity for improvement.

For example, instead of describing a student struggling with listening as a “bad listener,” remark that the student “would benefit from listening more carefully.”

If appropriate, frame a negative comment in terms of what students are doing well -- and consider how this more successful characteristic can help them bolster performance in other areas.

writing general comments for school reports

Lead your report card comments with the positive comments, followed by areas that need more attention.

Choosing the right format for reporting information will simplify the entire process, while resulting in a clearer and more organized final product.

If you are unclear about your school’s format for report cards, request samples or consult with other teachers or staff members to clarify.

writing general comments for school reports

Being open and honest about a student’s performance requires tact and consideration with regard to how you  express  those comments. Be transparent, and remain mindful that your goal is to improve your students’ learning experience.

Openness and honesty are key to ensuring that experience is the best it can be. If possible, discuss what  intervention strategies  you can use to help improve the student’s learning outcomes. 

As elementary teacher Donna Donaghue remarks in her book  A Guide for Beginning Elementary Teachers: Getting Hired and Staying Inspired :

If there is a problem, most parents will be grateful to you for telling them and will want to help you correct it as soon as possible. Many problems that show up at school are also problems noticed at home, so your comments will not surprise parents. Ideally, at some point prior to receiving the progress report, parents have already discussed the problem with you.

writing general comments for school reports

If you get stuck completing the comments for a particular student, move on to your other students and return to it later. You will likely have more trouble completing comments for students who have multiple areas needing further improvement and attention.

Feel free to move on and return to those students periodically or as you find the right language to express your insights.

writing general comments for school reports

While every report card comment is ultimately about your student, think of your students’ parents or guardians as much as possible and offer suggestions for their participation.

In fact, if you can, keep parents up to date on an ongoing basis. This will help ensure they don't get caught off guard by any of your comments.

As you make note of your students’ strengths and weaknesses, endeavor to include practical insights into how parents can involve and support their child at home. If possible, make reference to how you use  differentiated instruction  to support the student in question.

Simple examples of tips for parents include:

As high school educator and teaching comprehension expert Anne Goudvis writes in her book Strategies That Work:

It is important that you include the parents in your comment so they know the child’s education is a joint mission. Sometimes you need to sound firm so that parents know you need their help and that you will not allow their child to continue inappropriate behavior.

writing general comments for school reports

It is unlikely that your students or parents will compare their report card comments, but it is still a best practice to aim for unique commentary for each student that reflects each, individual learning outcome.

Report card time is perhaps your busiest period of the year, and it is understandable that you want to simply get them over with.

Despite this, you should make sure to double check all your comments before hitting print and handing them out. All your communications to parents are a reflection of you as a teacher, and should mirror the care and attention you show your students in class.

writing general comments for school reports

Make use of your school’s parent portal or email system to let parents know — as needed — that report card time is coming up.

This will help parents be prepared, and will also ensure that any important questions they may have are addressed before the final report cards are delivered.

writing general comments for school reports

Record and use classroom anecdotes in your assessments. No matter how involved you are in your students’ progress, it can still be difficult to produce specific examples related to their performance if you haven’t recorded them along the way.

When you notice a positive or negative skill, ability, strength, or weakness in a class activity or assignment, be sure to note it down so that you may refer to it in your report card comments. Likewise, consider noting a sample of a student’s work every week or two.

To help with ease of access, keep ongoing files of this work in a personal folder or use a digital tool such as a Google Doc.

Putting this into practice is a time-saver and helps prevent last-minute stress. A strategy like direct observation and note-taking (as soon as possible) is far more reliable than trying to recall information and behaviors from weeks or months prior.

Key considerations for report card comments at the end of the year

Report card comments should aim to deliver feedback to students and parents that is  personalized, detailed,  and  meaningful .

writing general comments for school reports

Writing report card comments doesn’t have to be stressful. Use these strategies to create livelier, more meaningful evaluations.

Effective report card comments emphasize and discuss:

Effective report card comments are personalized – customized to each, individual student – and discuss:

Effective report card comments are expressed with clear and simple phrasing, using:

Report Card Comments: Final Thoughts

writing general comments for school reports

Common Sense Education observes that "effective parent communication is crucial in helping students learn. But, for busy teachers it can be challenging just to keep up... Transparency and equity are key to managing any communication between home and school."

Personalized report card comments that are clear, precise, and meaningful are essential for informing students and their parents about what students have learned, what their strengths are and how they can effectively progress.

Among the pressure and deadlines of writing report cards, it can be helpful to keep these key goals in mind.

Get inspired by the report card comment examples — and strategies for success — above to ensure that precision, clarity, and meaning shine through in your report card comments.

When it comes time to hand out your report cards, you can do so with the full confidence that you are doing yourself — and each of your students — the justice your hard work deserves.

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How to write positive & meaningful report card comments.

Posted by Stevan K | June 23, 2022

Education And Learning Concept. Portrait of smiling beautiful curly female English teacher sitting at desk near whiteboard with. Happy lady posing and looking at camera, writing in notebook

Report card time is one of the few chances a teacher has to influence both the student and the parent with meaningful report card comments. While the purpose of writing report card comments can differ for the teacher, parent, and student, the intention is to measure the student’s academic progress.

Being responsible for setting students’ futures on track with learning techniques and notes can cause anxiety and apprehension. To alleviate some of this pressure, we have some suggestions to help teachers customize meaningful and positive report card comments.

Focus on the Student’s Efforts and Strategies

For positive report card comments, focus on the style of learning that brings the student success. The efforts made by the student in developing learning skills can instill confidence and a strong desire to improve. Consider using examples of class participation and behavior as well as the student’s ability to tackle a challenging lesson.

Give Positive Feedback on Progress

When writing report card comments, give positive feedback to provide a sense of validation and accomplishment. This form of encouragement can help the student aspire to be dedicated in areas that may need improvement. Allowing parents to have a form of visual tracking of their child’s progress offers better communication between the teacher and the home support team.

Frame Challenges as Opportunities for Growth

Focusing on the positive aspects of a student’s learning curve needs to be balanced with attention to challenges they may be facing. Include factual examples of obstacles the student may have in language that promotes growth opportunities. These can be expressed by describing how the student can improve or develop new skills to assist in a challenging task.

Communicate Often with Parents

The school year can pass very quickly. While many wait until report card time to notify parents of their child’s scholastic achievements or classroom behaviors, communicating with them more often is highly recommended. Whether the student is excelling or struggling in any subject or behavior, keeping a regular line of communication open with the parents can ensure a successful school year for the teacher, the student, and the parent(s).

Avoid Highly Detailed Curriculum Descriptions

Depending on the school’s report card guidelines, the specific curriculum may be required to be outlined. If so, be sure to touch on the key points of a subject only as it applies to the individual student. In most cases, the parent and the student know the basics of the subject at hand, so the aspects of how it is understood and utilized by the student in the class should be the focus.

Provide Specific Recommendations for Improvement

Keep in mind that report card comments are a guide for not only the student and parent but also for other members of the teaching staff. By providing recommendations for improvement, a teacher can help direct the required learning path for a student’s successful education. These suggestions need to be point-specific in terms of the student’s current learning capabilities and strategies for improvement.

For specific meaningful and positive responses, visit the report card comment bank at TIMESAVERSForTeachers.com .

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100 Sample Report Card Comments and 5 Strategies for Simplifying Report Cards

April 7, 2020 by Evan-Moor | 1 Comment

100 Sample Report Card Comments and 5 Strategies for Simplifying Report Cards

I don’t know any teacher who looks forward to doing report cards. This time always seems to be packed to the max with additional testing days and long to-do lists. Despite this, report cards are an important tool that schools employ to show parents how their child is progressing in school and should be completed with careful consideration.

Report card comments should be personalized for each student and provide meaningful feedback to help parents understand their child’s progress. The most important concept to remember when writing report card comments is to frame each statement in encouraging and positive language.

Here are a few tips to help you provide honest and valuable feedback while being encouraging and professional, including 100 sample report card comments that you can use today.

Download a free PDF of 100 Report Card Comments here! 

5 strategies for simplifying report cards, 1. employ the sandwich feedback technique:.

2. Highlight areas of growth

3. Expand on areas of improvement

4. Be transparent

5. Proofread

100 Report Card Comments

Participation/behavior/attitude.

Needs Improvement

Time Management/Work Habits

Growth Mindset

General Subject Area Comments

Report cards are used to show parents what students have learned, areas they excel in, and areas for improvement. Although report card grades reflect how well a student is performing against a set of standards, I would refrain from any comparisons on report cards. Every student matures and develops at a different rate, and it is important not to focus on how well children compare to their classmates, but rather to highlight how they are excelling in their personal goals/growth.

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75 Sample Report Card Comments (Plus a Printable Version!)

Help has arrived for report card time!

"Your child has come so far in math! Focusing on two-digit addition is the next step."

Each progress report and report card provides an opportunity for you to give parents insight into their child’s performance beyond a letter or numerical grade for conduct or academics. Parents want to know how their child is doing, but they also want to know that you get their child. Report cards also help students understand what they are doing well … as well as areas where they could improve. The best way to get these points across is via meaningful comments. Need help? We’ve got 75 sample report card comments below that are sorted for students at every level: emerging, developing, proficient, and extending standards.

Also get a free Google Slide version of these comments by submitting your email here!

Computer screen of the report card comments pdf.

Tips for report card comments

Before using the list below, it’s important to know that teacher comments should be accurate, specific, and personal. The comments below are structured to allow you to fill in the blank for a particular subject or behavior, and then expand the comment. Sometimes you might require an action like a meeting with the parent. Other times you may be encouraging the student to further accelerate their studies. Either way, these sample report card comments will establish the how that attaches to the what of any number or letter grade you are documenting.

Report card comments for students whose skills are emerging:

It’s often difficult to know the cause of why a student’s skills are still emerging. In these situations, parents can often help you get to the bottom of it. Be specific about areas of difficulty in these comments, and don’t be afraid to ask for a parent’s help. Here are some ideas:

Your student may need additional assistance with [skill/subject]. Completing classwork and homework is the first step to improving.

Encouraging a phone call with parents:

There are some times when a child doesn’t turn in any work to be assessed. This situation is exceptionally difficult to handle with report card comments and should probably be mentioned ahead of time. Write something positive about the child’s personality while requesting a parent meeting or phone call. Some examples are:

Your child has a wonderful sense of humor/is helpful/is kind but fails to turn in their assignments. Let’s meet to come up with a plan to move forward.

Discussing behavior problems:

Sometimes there are behavior problems attached to emerging students. Parents want to know how their child has behaved, even if they are not surprised by the behavior. Behavior can be even more difficult to write about than academics. Be careful to avoid personal attacks or statements that can make the parent or child feel judged. For difficult behaviors, stick to statistics and/or basic descriptions. Try things like:

Your student needs to slow down in order to produce quality/carefully done work.

Report card comments for students whose skills are developing:

For students who are still developing, focus on any improvement while also providing suggestions to keep the momentum going. Try these comments:

I would like to see your student pay closer attention to [subject/topic] in order to get a better grade.

Your child is enthusiastic but still doesn’t understand [topic]. Additional work on this topic would be incredibly helpful.

Report card comments for students whose skills are proficient:

Let the parent know all the positives about their child and perhaps encourage students to dig just a little bit deeper.

I appreciate that your student does their best every single day.

With a little more effort, your child could move up to the advanced group in [the subject where effort is lacking].

Report card comments for students whose skills are extending:

Positive behaviors deserve just as much (if not more) attention as negative behaviors. These comments can be the most fun to write. Begin with a simple stem and then fill in the personal details that will make the parent smile. Example sentence starters are:

Your student avoids careless errors through attention to detail.

Showcasing students as role models:

Students who excel at helping out others deserve to have their skills mentioned in comments!

Your student relates well to classmates and is appreciative of different perspectives and experiences.

While all of these comments can supplement the grades on a report card, you don’t have to wait to use them. Sending notes home between progress reports and report cards with little comments like these can bolster the parent-teacher relationship. Write them in communication folders or on postcards for that extra school-home connection.

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Borrow these sample report card comments the next time you are doing report cards. They offer a solution for any scenario.

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writing general comments for school reports

Report Card Comments & Phrases for All Subjects

report card comment advice for teachers

Meaningful Report Card Comments & Phrases

Report card comments help parents to understand where their child is growing or struggling as a student. Save time while properly addressing each student's needs with our selection of resources.

Our Most Popular Report Card Comments Resources

A Grading & Assessment Workbook for Teachers

Stumped by what to say and tired of writing the same things over and over again while writing report card comments?

Our report card comment resources will help you:

As every teacher knows, report card comments are a critical part to each student's evaluation and assessment —and now one knows your students better than you.

Report card comments help parents to understand where their child is growing or struggling as a student. Are there things that their child excels at or struggles with? The valuable information you provide can help the parent address any challenges their child may be struggling with in the classroom. They can also be used to praise a child's accomplishments and hard work, giving that student the encouragement they deserve.

Our editors gathered hundreds of report card comments, phrases, and ideas for teachers to better evaluate student progress, communicate more effectively, and work more efficiently.

You'll also find handouts to give to parents that include advice on dealing with report cards and grades.

Report Card Comments by Grade

Report Card Comments for Kindergarteners This list of 32 ready-to-use comments covers academics, personality and attitude, work habits, and social skills for kindergarten report cards.

Report Card Comments for Preschool This list of 38 ready-to-use comments covers academic subjects, social skills, behavior, and time/task management for preschool report cards.

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Looking for more report card comment examples?

Download or purchase over 90+ pages of grading comments examples, tips, and advice for managing student grades.

Report Card Comments by Subject

Report Card Comments for Academic Achievement & Improvement Creative and applicable academic achievement/improvement comments and phrases to use while completing the report card process.

Report Card Comments - General and Handwriting General and handwriting comments and phrases to ease the report card crunch. Easy to modify and tailor to individual students.

Report Card Comments for Language Arts & Reading An assortment of report card comments and phrases focusing on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

Report Card Comments for Math Suggested math report card comments and phrases to assist you at the end of every quarter.

Report Card Comments for Science Science report card comments and phrase for student evaluation during the grading process.

Report Card Comments for Social Studies Make the most of your report card writing time using these suggested comments and phrases for social studies.

Report Card Comments by Student Topic

Report Card Comments for Citizenship Help parents and students understand how being a good citizen in the classroom enhances learning and community.

Report Card Comments - End of Year Provide a fitting look back on the full year in the classroom with these comments and phrases. Appropriate for all grade levels.

Report Card Comments for Personality & Attitude Comments and phrases appropriate for all students. Also a great resource to prepare for parent-teacher conferences.

Report Card Comments for Work Habits A set of comments and phrases that can be used to address a student's work habits.

Report Card Comments for Character and Social/Emotional Traits Help parents and students appreciate the development and importance of 21st Century skills and character traits.

Positive Report Card Comment Descriptions of Student Behavior An extensive list of verbs and phrases that will help you to prepare positive, descriptive statements about a student's behavior.

Report Card Comments for Distance Learning A selection of report card comments focused on aspects of student performance during distance learning.

Report Card Comments for ESL Students This list of 30 ready-to-use report card comments covers language growth, speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills for ESL and ELL report cards.

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180 Report Card Comments for All Grades

Report card comments are a vital component of a child’s education. A small but meaningful comment can make a HUGE difference in the classroom experience. However, it can take forever to create custom comments for every student while still making an impact.

Good news: we have created 180 report card comments for all grades, including preschool and kindergarten, for you. You’re sure to find the perfect comment for every student below.

The 180 comments you see in this article can be leveraged to create dynamic feedback based on students' performance.

Why are report card comments important?

Report card comments are important for two reasons. The first is that they provide feedback for students and gives them insight on how to improve. Another reason is that it provides information to parents so that they can understand how their child is doing in the classroom, without having to go to a parent-teacher conference.

How can Text Blaze Help?

Writing out full comments can take a lot of time. Using abbreviations like “GC” for good conduct can help, but it still takes time. Using Text Blaze can help make this process faster, as you can use text snippets with abbreviations to automatically paste in your comments on your report cards, and personalize each comment for your students.

With Text Blaze, writing report card comments can be easier and more efficient than ever.

Here's a short video that shows how you can use Text Blaze's keyboard shortcuts to work faster.
Check out our Teachers page for more templates you can use today!

We’ve provided 180 templates and comments for you to use on your report cards below.

100 general report card comments.

Here are 100 general report card comments that you can apply to your classroom:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Attitude

Below are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s attitude:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Behavior

Here are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s behavior:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Character

These are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s character:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Communication Skills

Here are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s communication skills:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Group Work

These are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s group work:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Interest And Talent

Below are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s interest and talent:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Social Skills

Below are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s social skills:

10 Positive Report Card Comments Based on Student’s Work Habits

Below are 10 positive report card comments based on a student’s work habits:

Writing report card comments is critical to improving student learning, but it can take a long time. If you have a class of 20+ students and you want to leave 2-3 comments on each report card, it will take a while to write the 40-60 comments. Using Text Blaze can help you make the process more efficient by allowing you to use text snippets to create your abbreviations and comments.

Teaching can be tough, and the last thing you need to worry about as a teacher is trivial writing tasks. There are just a lot of other important things on your plate. We understand that, and that’s why we created Text Blaze : a tool that can help you get back to what matters!

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  1. What Is the Definition of Report Writing?

    The definition of report writing is creating an account or statement that describes in detail an event, situation or occurrence, usually as the result of observation or inquiry. The two most common forms of report writing are news report wr...

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  5. 325 amazing report card comments and remarks to save your time!

    ______'s actions are still inconsistent. She continues to struggle with obeying school rules and treating other pupils with respect. Please call

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    I appreciate _'s quality work/motivation to do well/attitude and have enjoyed being his/her teacher. _ is intelligent but works below his/her capacity/potential

  7. 15 Best Report Card Comments Samples

    One of the most important things to do when writing report card comments is to use specific, concrete examples. This will help the student

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  9. General Comments For Reports Teaching Resources

    SAVE HOURS OF REPORT WRITING TIME!Fully editable School Report General Statements. Six Microsoft Word Pages, 3600 words. 30 paragraphs.

  10. How to Write Positive & Meaningful Report Card Comments

    Focus on the Student's Efforts and Strategies · Give Positive Feedback on Progress · Frame Challenges as Opportunities for Growth · Communicate

  11. 100 Sample Report Card Comments and 5 Strategies for Simplifying…

    Uses class time wisely. · Is a self-motivated student. · Completes work on time. · Is very organized. · Demonstrates problem-solving skills and is

  12. 75 Sample Report Card Comments (Plus a Printable Version!)

    Your student is an enthusiastic member of the class and shows a willingness to learn. · I enjoy how invested your child is in their learning. · I appreciate your

  13. Report Card Comments & Phrases for All Subjects

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  14. 180 Report Card Comments for All Grades

     achieves success in all their academic endeavors. ...  likes learning and shows enthusiasm for classroom activities. ...  enjoys school, and