The school year isn’t over yet—and that’s a good thing. Spring is a season full of potential, giving families a valuable opportunity to take meaningful action. With final report cards still ahead, there’s time to be proactive—whether by checking in with teachers, addressing academic concerns, building on strengths and interests, or setting summer learning goals. It’s also the perfect moment to start planning for a smooth transition into September. Read our full blog for practical strategies to help your child finish the year strong and feel confident heading into the next grade.
At Teachers on Call, our in-home and online tutoring team is made up of provincially certified teachers who understand that planning ahead is one of the most effective ways to ease student anxiety (and support the adults who love them), all while promoting academic success. The final months of the school year offer a valuable opportunity for meaningful progress and preparation. Whether your child is thriving, facing challenges, or somewhere in between, the time between spring and September can be used intentionally to strengthen knowledge and skills, build confidence, and set the stage for continued growth. Read on for our top proactive steps to help your child make the most of this important time.
In this blog, we’re sharing proactive steps, timely strategies and a helpful parent checklist to make the most of the weeks ahead and set your child up for success this summer—and beyond.
Book an Informal Check-In with Your Child’s Teacher
Spring is an ideal time to schedule a quick and informal conversation with your child’s teacher. While formal parent teacher conferences are typically scheduled after report cards in the fall and winter, educators are often open to parent communication throughout the year to support student success. Final evaluations haven’t been written yet, and many teachers welcome a proactive check-in from families. A short meeting, phone call, or email exchange can offer valuable insights into your child’s progress and help shape a plan for the weeks ahead.
What to Ask During a Spring Check-In:
- Have there been any changes in my child’s academic progress since the last report card?
Ask for specific examples and any noticeable improvements or areas that may need continued focus. - How is my child progressing in their learning skills and work habits?
These are essential indicators of how well your child is developing the skills needed to succeed in both school and life—such as managing responsibilities, staying organized, collaborating with others, and showing initiative. - Are there specific subjects or areas where additional support could make a difference before the end of the school year?
Clarify current expectations for both the end of this school year and the beginning of the next. Ask where your child stands in relation to provincial curriculum standards and expectations, especially in terms of knowledge and understanding. - What do you recommend to help my child retain what they’ve learned, stay on track, and feel prepared for the year ahead?
This might include review strategies, light academic activities, or even a recommended summer reading list to help maintain learning and support a smooth transition into September.
Monitor Progress – There’s Still Time to Make an Impact
Grades and comments for final report cards are still being shaped, which means there’s time to address academic gaps or reinforce key learning skills. Small improvements now can build confidence, reduce end-of-year stress, and influence final evaluations.
Actionable Steps:
- Involve your child in the conversation—ask how they’re feeling about the school year so far and where they think they need extra support before report cards.
- Use feedback from your spring teacher check-in to identify a few clear goals to focus on over the coming weeks.
- For children with special education learning needs, if your child is on an Individual Education Plan (IEP), review the latest modifications and/or accommodations. If anything is unclear, ask questions—and if there’s anything new that should be considered, now is the time to discuss it with the teacher. If you’re looking to better understand the IEP process or how to support your child’s learning profile, check if your school board is offering any upcoming workshops or drop-in sessions for families.
- Where helpful, consider subject-specific in-home or online tutoring in areas like Math, Science, or English. English tutoring can be especially valuable for students who need support getting their thoughts on paper or learning how to structure and write an essay (Check out our blog for 10 Tips to Excel in Reading and Writing from our High School English Tutors.)
- For students flagged in the learning skills and work habits section, academic coaching can provide meaningful support in areas like organization, time management, and follow-through on tasks. Strengthening executive functioning skills now can help set them up for success during finals—and into the next school year.
Plan Ahead for Summer – Keep the Learning Going
A little planning now can help families avoid the last-minute scramble and ensure students head into September feeling confident and prepared. One of the best ways to start the school year strong is by keeping reading, writing, and light academic activities going over the summer. This helps slow the infamous summer slide, reinforces key skills, and supports a smooth transition—especially if there are any lingering concerns from the previous school year.
Ideas to consider:
- Incorporate reading and writing into summer plans. Encourage your child to read regularly and practise writing through fun, low-pressure activities like journaling, storytelling, or letter writing. If they’re attending overnight camp, choose a few books together for quiet time in the cabin. Writing letters to family and receiving responses helps keep literacy skills sharp. Going on a trip? Sending postcards or emails is a great way to make writing meaningful.
- Tap into interests like STEM or language for enrichment. Summer learning can be engaging and interest-driven—explore robotics, coding, French, or creative writing through hands-on camps or workshops. Experiential learning also leaves a lasting impression—plan family outings to local museums, science centres, or cultural attractions to spark curiosity and meaningful conversations. For day camp inspiration, check out our latest blog on the inaugural JICS summer lab camp with an inquiry-based focus affiliated with the University of Toronto (45 Walmer Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2X2, Canada).
- Continue in-home or online tutoring to support summer school courses, close foundational gaps, or explore new areas of interest. If your child has taken a break from tutoring over the summer, consider restarting a few weeks before school begins to revisit key concepts and get back into learning mode. This is often a valuable strategy for high school students preparing for more advanced math and science courses—including Calculus, Advanced Functions, Data Management, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Curriculum-based tutoring helps students retain knowledge, avoid the summer slide, and build the confidence and study habits needed for a successful school year.
Keep Overall Communication Open for Academic Success
Learning is most effective when there’s a cohesive team supporting the student. When families, teachers, and tutors collaborate, everyone works toward the same academic and personal growth goals. Spring is the perfect time to strengthen these connections and ensure everyone is aligned.
Tips to Strengthen the Learning Network:
- Maintain open lines of communication between school, home, and tutoring support. Read classroom update emails and share relevant information with your child and their in-home or online tutor to ensure everyone is aligned on what your child is currently learning.
- Check your school’s website, social media, and your inbox for e-mails from the principal or parent council about upcoming events. This can spark meaningful conversations at home and help your child feel more connected to their learning environment.
- Invite your child into the conversation. They often have valuable insight into what’s helping, where they’re struggling, and how they learn best.
✅ Parent Checklist: Spring to September Academic Success
Use this checklist to help guide your family’s academic planning over the coming weeks and set the stage for a strong start in September.
▢ Connect with your child’s classroom and/or subject-specific teachers for an informal check-in
▢ Review your child’s progress since the last report card
▸ For students with special learning needs, review the IEP to check for the latest updates to accommodations and/or modifications—it’s a live document
▢ Identify areas for improvement or enrichment
▢ Set 2–3 short-term academic goals together
▢ Explore summer learning opportunities (e.g., tutoring, camps, family field trips)
▢ Establish a light weekly learning routine for the summer that includes activities like recreational reading, creative writing, and math games and apps.
▢ Look ahead at curriculum expectations for the next grade level
▢ Ease into school-year routines by mid-to-late August
▢ Book tutoring early—once you have a clear picture of your child’s schedule and courses—to secure your preferred time and tutor match
▢ Celebrate your child’s progress and encourage a growth mindset
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Spring isn’t the end of the school year—it’s a springboard. With a proactive approach and the right support in place, families can help students finish the school year strong and step into summer and September feeling confident and prepared. It’s also a great time to help prevent the summer slide and keep learning momentum going during the break. These strategies are helpful for students of all ages—whether your child is in elementary school or high school. At Teachers on Call, our in-home and online tutoring services are designed to meet students where they are and guide them toward where they want to go—this season and beyond. We hope these ideas offer helpful direction as you support your child’s learning journey through spring and into the fall.
Photography by Jennifer Allison from JSHUTTER Photography
