We are officially at the halfway mark of the 2025–2026 school year! Take a deep breath and center yourself. Whether the last few months have felt like a series of victories or a steep uphill climb, we want you to know one thing: You and your scholar are still here, and your Village is standing right beside you. The mid-year point isn’t just a date on a calendar; it is a sacred pause. It is a time to look back at the seeds we planted in August and see what is blooming, what needs more water, and what needs a different kind of soil to thrive.
What’s Really Going On
In many school systems, the mid-year report card is treated like a final verdict. But we know better. For families of color, the “mid-year” is often when the honeymoon phase with new teachers ends and the real work of advocacy begins.
It is the time when we start to see the “deep dive” data. We see if our scholars are being challenged or if they are being overlooked. We see if their social-emotional well-being is being nurtured or if the pressures of the classroom are beginning to dim their light. This check-in is how we ensure that the system is bending toward our children’s success, rather than our children breaking to fit the system.
Village Wisdom
“Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey we take together.”
In the village, we do not wait for the end of the harvest to see if the crops are growing. We walk the rows daily. We check the leaves. We touch the soil. We recognize that if a plant isn’t thriving, we don’t blame the plant—we look at the environment. This mid-year check-in is our way of “checking the soil” of our schools.
Solutions Families Can Use
1. Conduct a “Whole Scholar” Audit
Grades are just one piece of the puzzle. To get a true picture of how the first half of the year went, sit down with your scholar and ask the “Village Questions”:
- The Connection Check: “Who is one adult at school who truly ‘sees’ you and makes you feel safe?”
- The Confidence Check: “When did you feel most proud of yourself in class this term?”
- The Barrier Check: “Is there a subject where you feel like you’re working hard but the lightbulb isn’t turning on yet?”
2. The IEP/504 Mini-Audit
If your scholar has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, the mid-year is the critical time for a “pulse check.” These documents are legal promises, but in a busy school year, those promises can sometimes slide.
- Check the Data: Ask the school for progress reports specifically tied to their goals.
- Verify Accommodations: Ask your scholar, “Are you getting your extra time?” or “Are you sitting in the spot we agreed on?”
- Direct Advocacy: If something feels off, you don’t have to wait for the annual meeting. Send a respectful, firm email: “We are reviewing our scholar’s progress and would like to schedule a 15-minute check-in to ensure all accommodations are being implemented consistently as we head into the second semester.”
3. Reviewing Grades with an Asset-Based Lens
When you look at that report card, look for the growth. If there is a “C” in Math but it was a “D” in October, that is a victory of resilience!
- Focus on Effort: Praise the “rhythm” they’ve built, not just the letter grade.
- Identify the Gap: If grades are lower than expected, determine if it’s a skill gap (they don’t understand the math) or a will gap (they are bored or disconnected from the teacher). Each requires a different village solution.
4. Re-Establishing the Teacher Partnership
The relationship between home and school is a bridge. Sometimes, that bridge needs maintenance.
- The “Fresh Start” Note: Reach out to your scholar’s teachers with a brief message: “We are so grateful for your work this past semester. As we start the second half of the year, our family is focusing on [specific goal, e.g., reading stamina]. How can we best support what you’re doing in the classroom from home?”
“Try This Week” Box
The “One-Question” Email: Pick one teacher—the one your scholar struggles with most or the one they love most—and send a simple check-in. Ask: “What is one specific area of growth you see for my scholar this semester, and how can our village help them reach it?” This reminds the school that your scholar is backed by a committed community. We are the first teachers and the forever advocates for our scholars. This mid-year check-in is just one way we ensure their legacy of excellence continues. How did your mid-year review go?
Head over to our community and let’s talk about how we can support each other’s scholars for the rest of 2026!