When there are new Hackley students, oftentimes they ask their teacher where they can see their grades. They are soon disappointed when they learn that they will have to wait multiple weeks, sometimes months, to see their grades. Hackley strongly believes that this is beneficial, but it is a detriment to grades.

One big reason grades aren’t visible is because they can be a distraction. Instead of doing homework or studying, a student could repeatedly be checking their grades to see if anything is changing. However, this is just more motivation for students to do their homework.

If students see the specific dent missed homework creates in their grade, they are more likely to want to complete it. It becomes much more real if the impact is visible. When they can’t be seen, it almost makes it feel like they don’t matter. Although they can be distracting, 

The best solution for this could be a weekly check in. Instead of a constant ability to see grades a student could meet with their advisor and see their grades. This would limit distractions while also making it possible to know how students are doing and see specific things rather than a big picture grade on a progress report or report card.