<p>We don’t talk about grades, and my kids don’t know their gpa’s. One of them is at an Ivy and hasn’t looked at her grades there either, for two years.</p>
<p>As a parent, I could tell whether they were learning material, through conversation, or sometimes they would share their papers (after handing them in, before grades). I can’t imagine them coming home to tell me what they got on a test, or an AP either.</p>
<p>Once in college, I can tell they are benefiting because when they come home, they are reading, or talking about, or listening to new things and enjoying them. Clearly, they are learning, and working.</p>
<p>Maybe this seems like overcompensating, but it has worked for us.</p>
<p>Over 60% of students at our daughter’s school are getting mental health care, most of them on medications. This is the price of achievement. I don’t think it’s a matter of what grade is okay. I think we should all try to ignore grades unless our kids are clearly failing to do the work. If we all did this, culture would change, and mental health would improve for everyone.</p>