Updated September 2026 with the current provincial report card rules.
Report card day can bring mixed emotions for parents, excitement, relief, or concern. In Manitoba, report cards do more than just assign grades; they provide a detailed picture of your child’s progress, strengths, and areas that may need improvement.
But what do the proficiency scale numbers really mean? How should parents interpret teacher comments? And what steps can you take if your child needs extra support?
This guide will help you decode Manitoba’s report cards, track your child’s progress, and explore how tutoring can help close learning gaps.
Decoding Manitoba’s Report Cards: How Do They Work?
Every public school division in Manitoba uses the same provincial report card for Grades 1 to 12. Achievement is reported on a four-level scale in Grades 1 to 8 (with an overall percentage grade added in Grades 7 and 8) and as percentages in high school. Manitoba renewed its report card policy in 2026, and new report card templates are in use for the 2026-2027 school year.
Students in Grades 1 to 8 receive three report cards a year: Term 1, Term 2 and a final report in June. In high school, semestered courses get a midterm and a final report each semester, and full-year courses get three or four reports, depending on the school’s schedule.
What’s Included in a Manitoba Report Card?
- Achievement Levels (Grades 1-8): Instead of letter grades, students receive a level from 1 to 4 for each part of a subject, such as knowledge and understanding, mental math and estimation, and problem solving in mathematics.
- Percentage Grades (9-12): High school students receive numerical scores that determine credit eligibility.
- Learning Skills: Personal management, active participation in learning, and social responsibility are reported separately.
- Teacher Comments: Personalized feedback highlights strengths, challenges, and areas for growth.
- Early Reading Screening (new for 2026-2027): For younger students, early reading screening results appear on the Term 1 and Term 2 report cards.
- Attendance Records: The number of absences and late arrivals.
💡 Unlike some provinces, Manitoba focuses on competency-based learning rather than just letter or percentage grades.
Source: Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning - Provincial Report Card
Manitoba’s Grading System: What Do the Numbers Mean?
Elementary & Middle School (Grades 1-8)
Students receive a level from 1 to 4 in each subject category. In Grades 1 to 6 there is no overall grade for the subject; in Grades 7 and 8, each subject also gets an overall percentage grade. The levels are not a mark out of 4, they describe what your child understands and can do:
Level 4: Very good to excellent understanding of curricular concepts and application of skills.
Level 3: Good understanding of curricular concepts and application of skills.
Level 2: Basic understanding of curricular concepts and application of skills; additional support may be helpful.
Level 1: Limited understanding of curricular concepts and application of skills; additional support may be needed.
NYD (Not Yet Demonstrated): Not enough evidence of understanding has been shown yet; additional support is needed.
A score of 1 or 2 signals that a student may need extra help mastering key skills. You may also see other codes: IN (Incomplete, not enough evidence yet to assign a grade), NA (Not Applicable), and the EAL, M (curricular modifications) and I (individualized programming) indicators.
High School (Grades 9-12)
Students receive percentage grades based on provincial standards:
- 80-100%: Level 4, very good to excellent understanding.
- 70-79%: Level 3, good understanding.
- 60-69%: Level 2, basic understanding; additional support may be helpful.
- 50-59%: Level 1, limited understanding; a final mark of 50% or higher still earns the credit.
- Below 50%: Not Yet Demonstrated; the credit is not earned.
To graduate, students need 30 credits, 17 compulsory and 13 optional, and the report card includes a Graduation Chart so families can track the credits earned.
Source: Manitoba Provincial Report Card Q & A for Parents/Caregivers, Grades 9 to 12
How to Track Your Child’s Progress
Look Beyond the Numbers
- Are grades improving, staying the same, or declining?
- Do they struggle with the same subjects across multiple reporting periods?
- Are they progressing in core skills like reading, writing, and math reasoning?
Read the Teacher’s Comments
Teachers provide personalized feedback that offers deeper insights than grades alone. Comments typically highlight:
✔ Strengths: Areas where your child excels.
✔ Challenges: Skills that need improvement.
✔ Next Steps: Suggested strategies for continued learning.
💡 Tip: If you notice repeated concerns in teacher comments, consider extra academic support.
Assess Learning Skills
Even if your child has good grades, weak learning skills (e.g., poor organization, lack of participation) can affect long-term success. Key areas evaluated include:
✔ Personal Management Skills: Are they organized, independent and responsible?
✔ Active Participation in Learning: Do they participate, put in effort and persevere?
✔ Social Responsibility: Do they show respect, cooperate and contribute to the school community?
French Immersion students are also rated on Engagement in Using French, and schools may add up to two local options. Each skill is rated Consistently, Usually, Sometimes or Rarely.
💡 If your child struggles with learning skills, tutoring can help build better study habits and self-motivation.
Source: Manitoba Provincial Report Card Q & A for Parents/Caregivers
New for 2026-2027: Early Reading Screening Results
Manitoba now screens young students’ early reading skills. Some school divisions piloted the screening in fall 2025, and it is in place in every division for the 2026-2027 school year. Students are screened for at least three school years between Kindergarten and Grade 4.
The results appear on the Term 1 and Term 2 report cards, showing whether your child met the benchmark:
- Met: your child’s early reading development is generally on track for this point in the school year. It does not mean they have finished learning to read.
- Not Yet Met: your child is still developing some of the expected early reading skills and may benefit from more time, practice, instruction or targeted support. It is not a diagnosis of a reading disability.
💡 If the report card shows Not Yet Met, ask the teacher which skills the screening flagged and what support the school is planning.
Source: Manitoba Provincial Report Card Q & A for Parents/Caregivers, Grades 1 to 8 and Manitoba Government: Strengthens Early Reading Screening and Supports for Young Students
Does Your Child Need Extra Support?
Many parents ask: Is my child on track, or do they need tutoring?
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Tutoring
- Scores of 1 or 2 in key subjects.
- Declining grades over multiple report periods.
- Teacher comments mentioning "difficulty grasping concepts" or "low engagement."
- Struggles with homework, organization, or test preparation.
- Expresses frustration or anxiety about school.
💡 Tutoring helps reinforce subject knowledge, build study skills, and increase confidence in learning!
How Connect Education Can Help
At Connect Education, we provide one-on-one tutoring with licensed teachers, matched to your child’s grade and the Manitoba curriculum.
Why Manitoba Parents Choose Connect Education:
✔ Certified Teachers: Not just tutors, but real educators who know the curriculum.
✔ Personalized Learning Plans: Focused support based on your child’s strengths & challenges.
✔ Flexible Learning Options: Online, in-person or public library tutoring that fits your schedule.
✔ Support for All Subjects: Math, Science, English, Social Studies & more!
✔ Specialized Assistance: Help for students with learning challenges (Dyslexia, ADHD, etc.).
Certified teachers
Online, home or library