Report cards

Saskatchewan Report Cards: A Parent’s Guide

Read the 4-point scale, work habits, and teacher comments without guessing what they mean

By
Connect Education
April 1, 2025

Quick take

  • Saskatchewan has no single provincial report card, so each school division sets its own format, schedule and level names, usually on a four-point scale for Kindergarten to Grade 9.
  • Level names differ, such as Exemplary, Meeting, Approaching and Beginning, but the third level always means your child is meeting grade-level outcomes.
  • High school students in Grades 10 to 12 receive percentage grades, need 50% to pass a course and 24 credits to graduate.
  • New provincial assessments in reading, writing and math begin returning results in 2026-2027, giving families another view of progress alongside the report card.

Updated September 2026 with the current provincial report card rules.

Report card time can be exciting, or overwhelming. In Saskatchewan, assessments go beyond simple grades to evaluate a student’s progress in key subject areas and learning behaviours.

But what do report card levels really mean? How can parents track their child’s growth? And what steps should you take if extra support is needed?

This guide breaks down Saskatchewan’s grading system, explains teacher feedback, and explores how tutoring can help close learning gaps.

How Saskatchewan Schools Assess Students

Saskatchewan schools follow an outcome-based assessment model, meaning students are evaluated on specific learning goals rather than just letter grades.

Instead of averaging test scores, teachers assess a student’s ability to meet curriculum standards in core subjects like English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

💡 Outcome-based grading focuses on what a student has learned rather than how well they perform on tests.

Source: Good Spirit School Division: Assessment and Reporting

What’s Included in a Saskatchewan Report Card?

Saskatchewan does not have a single provincial report card. Each school division designs its own, so the format, the number of report cards and the names of the levels depend on where your child goes to school. Most divisions send home two or three formal report cards a year: North West School Division and Good Spirit School Division issue two, while Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools issues three for Grades 1 to 8, in November, March and June. Whatever the format, report cards usually cover the same key areas:

  • Achievement Levels: A four-point scale measuring progress toward curriculum goals.
  • Learning Behaviours: Work habits such as engagement, responsibility, and collaboration.
  • Teacher Feedback: Personalized comments highlighting strengths, challenges, and next steps.
  • Attendance Records: Absences and late arrivals that may impact learning.

💡 Understanding these categories can help parents focus on both academic skills and personal development.

Breaking Down Achievement Levels

Most Saskatchewan school divisions report Kindergarten to Grade 9 on a four-point scale tied to the curriculum outcomes, instead of letter grades. Each division chooses its own level names, so two schools can use different words for the same thing. Two current examples:

  • Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools: 4 Exemplary, 3 Meeting, 2 Approaching, 1 Beginning. North West School Division uses the same four names.
  • Good Spirit School Division: Extending, Proficient, Developing and Beginning.

On any version, the third level (Meeting or Proficient) means your child is meeting the grade-level outcomes, which is on track. The top level means an in-depth understanding, and the two lower levels mean your child is still working toward the outcomes. Some divisions add a + or – beside a level, or use a code such as Insufficient Evidence when there is not yet enough work to assess.

In high school (Grades 10 to 12), students receive percentage grades instead. Each course is worth one credit, the minimum passing grade is 50%, and students need 24 credits to graduate. Some divisions also show a level beside the percentage: Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, for example, labels 87 to 100% as Exemplary and 73 to 86% as Meeting.

💡 If a student consistently receives one of the two lowest levels, they may need targeted academic support.

How to Evaluate Your Child’s Progress

Look for Trends Over Time

  • Is your child improving in key subjects, or are repeatedly struggling across multiple terms?
  • Are certain competencies consistently marked lower than others?

Read the Teacher’s Comments Carefully

Teacher feedback provides insight beyond numbers:
✔ Strengths – Areas where your child excels.
✔ Challenges – Skills that need improvement.
✔ Recommended Strategies – Suggested next steps for learning.

💡 If the same concerns appear across multiple reports, additional support may be needed.

Pay Attention to Learning Behaviours

Academic success isn’t just about subject mastery, it also depends on work habits and engagement. Saskatchewan report cards report these learning behaviours separately from achievement, and each division picks its own list and scale. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, for example, rates behaviours such as work habits and engagement as Usually, Sometimes or Not Yet Evident. Common areas include:

✔ Responsibility – Does your child complete assignments on time?
✔ Collaboration – Do they work effectively with others?
✔ Independence – Are they developing problem-solving skills?

💡 Even if subject grades are strong, weak learning behaviours may indicate struggles with organization or motivation.

New: The Saskatchewan Student Assessment Program

Alongside report cards, Saskatchewan is introducing provincial assessments in English language arts (Grades 4, 7 and 10) and mathematics (Grades 5 and 9). Grade 7 English language arts and Grades 5 and 9 math were field tested in May and June 2026. In 2026-2027, those three assessments begin returning results, while Grade 4 English language arts is field tested. The full program, with results returned to students, parents, teachers and school divisions, is planned for 2028-2029.

The province says the results will help parents and students work with teachers to identify strengths and areas where support may be needed.

Source: Government of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Student Assessment Program

Does Your Child Need Extra Help?

Many parents wonder: “Is my child on track, or do they need tutoring?”

Warning signs to watch for:

  • Consistently receiving one of the two lowest levels in a subject
  • Struggling with math concepts, reading comprehension, or writing skills
  • Low teacher feedback on engagement or participation
  • Difficulty completing homework or preparing for tests
  • Frustration, anxiety, or loss of confidence in learning

💡 Early intervention can prevent small struggles from becoming bigger obstacles.

How Connect Education Can Help

At Connect Education, we specialize in one-on-one tutoring with licensed teachers, matched to your child’s grade and the Saskatchewan curriculum.

Why Saskatchewan Parents Choose Connect Education:

✔ Certified Teachers – Not just tutors, but real educators who understand the provincial standards.
✔ Customized Learning Plans – Tailored instruction focusing on specific competencies.
✔ Flexible Scheduling – Online or in-person tutoring to fit your schedule.
✔ Support for All Subjects – Math, Science, French, English, Social Studies, and more.

Resources

Sources and further reading

  1. Government of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Student Assessment Program (n.d.) https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/education-and-learning/prek-12-education-early-learning-and-schools/student-assessment/saskatchewan-student-assessment-program
  2. Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Education, Saskatchewan High School Credit Options: A Guide for High School Students, 2025 to 2026 (2025) https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/api/v1/products/85923/formats/99555/download
  3. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Parent/Caregiver Guide to Assessment and Reporting (2023) https://media.gscs.ca/media/Default/medialib/parent-caregiver-guide-to-assessment-and-reporting.53e65917550.pdf
  4. North West School Division, Kindergarten to Grade 9 Assessment and Reporting (2025) https://www.nwsd.ca/k-9-achievement-reporting
  5. Good Spirit School Division, Assessment and Reporting (n.d.) https://www.gssd.ca/programs-services/curriculum-assessment-instruction/assessment-and-reporting
  6. Regina Catholic Schools, High School EAL Considerations (2026) https://www.rcsd.ca/high-school-eal-considerations
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What do the achievement levels on a Saskatchewan report card mean?

Saskatchewan has no single provincial report card, so each school division names its own levels. Most report Kindergarten to Grade 9 on a four-point scale tied to the curriculum outcomes. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and North West School Division use Exemplary, Meeting, Approaching and Beginning, while Good Spirit School Division uses Extending, Proficient, Developing and Beginning. Whatever the words, the third level means your child is meeting grade-level outcomes. In Grades 10 to 12, students receive percentages, and 50% is the minimum passing grade for a course.

How many report cards will my child get in Saskatchewan?

It depends on the school division. North West School Division and Good Spirit School Division issue two formal report cards a year. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools issues three for Grades 1 to 8 (November, March and June) and one per course at the end of the term in high school. Many divisions also post ongoing marks and comments in Edsby between report cards, so check your school handbook for the exact dates.

My child is meeting expectations but the teacher comment mentions challenges. Should I worry?

Meeting expectations means your child is on track with grade-level outcomes, so the overall picture is healthy. Teacher comments often flag specific skills or learning behaviours, like organization, focus or written communication, that could hold them back from the top level or slip if left alone. Ask the teacher which one or two skills to practise at home, and consider extra support if the same theme appears in two report cards in a row.

Connect Education

Get your child the right support

Licensed teachers in good standing, matched to your child's goals and how they learn. Start with a free 15-minute assessment.

A one-on-one plan built around your child
Online, in person or at a public library
Background-checked, certified teachers
Progress updates after every session