Updated September 2026 with the current provincial report card rules.
Alberta’s report cards are a key tool for tracking and communicating student progress between schools and families. However, with different grading scales, curriculum standards, and teacher assessments, many parents find it challenging to interpret their child’s report card.
This guide will break down Alberta’s report card system, explain how to assess your child’s progress, and offer tutoring solutions if extra support is needed.
How Do Alberta Report Cards Work?
Report card formats in Alberta are set by each school board, so the scale, the layout and the number of reports a year vary. Kindergarten to Grade 9 is usually reported with a number scale or letter grades, while high school students receive percentage grades. For example, the Calgary Board of Education sends two formal report cards a year in Kindergarten to Grade 9, and Edmonton Public Schools moved Kindergarten to Grade 9 to two progress reports a year, in January and June, starting in 2025-26.
Structure of Alberta Report Cards
Student Information – Includes basic student details and reporting period.
Core Subject Grades – Academic achievement in subjects like Math, English, Science, and Social Studies.
Learning Behaviours – Evaluates work habits such as responsibility, collaboration, and effort.
Teacher Comments – Personal insights from teachers on strengths, challenges, and recommended areas for growth.
Attendance Records – Number of absences and late arrivals.
💡 Scales differ from board to board: some use numbers and some use letters. Always read the legend on your own child's report card before comparing it with a report from another school or board.
How Do I Actually Know Where My Child Is At?
Deciphering Alberta’s grading system is crucial for understanding whether your child is meeting expectations or requires additional support.
Understand the Grading Scale
For Kindergarten to Grade 9, here is how two of Alberta's largest boards report achievement:
Calgary Board of Education (four-point scale): 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Basic, 1 Not Meeting.
Edmonton Public Schools (letter grades, Grades 1 to 9): achievement is reported as a letter grade from A, the highest, to D. The board is reviewing its grading policy, so use the bands printed on your child's own report card rather than an older list.
Other boards use their own labels, so check the key on your child's report card. Whatever the scale, teachers must also let you know the grade level your child is working at in English language arts and mathematics, so ask if that is not clear.
For Grades 10 to 12, students receive percentage grades and need at least 50% in a course to earn its credits. In Grade 12 diploma exam courses, such as English Language Arts 30-1 and Mathematics 30-1, the diploma exam counts for 30% of the final mark and the school-awarded mark for 70%.
💡 Tip: If your child receives a “1” or a low percentage in a core subject, this indicates significant struggles that require additional support.
Learning Behaviours Matter
Most Alberta report cards rate work habits separately from academic achievement. Boards name this section differently, for example learning behaviours or learner attributes, but it usually covers areas like these:
✔ Engagement – Participation and interest in learning.
✔ Effort and Focus – Staying on task and persevering.
✔ Responsibility – Completing work and managing time and materials.
✔ Respect and Collaboration – Working well with others.
Even if your child has good grades, weak learning behaviours may indicate future academic challenges. These learning behaviours are the foundation for learning and a signifier of future success.
💡 Tip: If your child struggles with time management or organization, tutoring can help develop effective study habits.
Compare Performance Over Time
- Are grades improving, staying consistent, or declining?
- Are challenges present in one subject or across multiple subjects?
- Is the teacher’s feedback consistent over multiple report periods?
Identifying trends helps parents determine whether short-term struggles or long-term academic gaps exist.
Source: Alberta Education and Childcare, Guide to Education
Tutoring Support: Helping Your Child Succeed
If your child’s report card indicates difficulties in core subjects or learning behaviours, tutoring can bridge the gaps before they widen.
How Can Tutoring Help?
✔ Reinforce Subject Knowledge – Extra help in math, science, English, and other subjects.
✔ Build Stronger Study Habits – Improve organization, time management, and test-taking skills.
✔ Boost Confidence – One-on-one support to increase motivation and reduce frustration.
✔ Specialized Learning Support – Assistance for students with IEPs, ADHD, or learning differences.
Signs Your Child May Need Tutoring
- Grades are declining or remain consistently below grade-level expectations over multiple report periods.
- Teacher comments mention “difficulty understanding concepts” or “low engagement”.
- Struggles with homework completion and independent study skills.
- Shows frustration or anxiety toward schoolwork.
How Connect Education Can Help
At Connect Education, we specialize in one-on-one tutoring with certified teachers who hold a professional teacher certificate in good standing and understand the province’s curriculum.
Why Alberta Parents Choose Connect Education:
✔ Certified Teachers – Not just tutors, but real, certified educators familiar with Alberta’s curriculum.
✔ Personalized Learning Plans – Tailored lessons based on your child’s strengths and challenges.
✔ Flexible Learning Options – Online or in-person tutoring that fits your schedule.
✔ Support for All Subjects – Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and more!
✔ Specialized Assistance – Help for students with IEPs, Dyslexia, ADHD, and additional learning needs.
Book a FREE assessment today at Connect Education to set your child up for success!
Alberta’s report cards provide a clear window into your child’s academic journey, but knowing how to interpret them is key. By focusing on grading trends, teacher comments, and learning behaviours, parents can take proactive steps to support their child’s education.