Guest Post & Expert Q&A

Guest Contributor: Michelle Smith Organization: Independent Education Group

Greatful Moments is pleased to share this guest Q&A with Michelle Smith of Independent Education Group, who offers insight for parents thinking about their child’s education and whether their current educational path continues to meet their needs.

Good grades can be reassuring, but academic performance doesn’t always tell parents everything they need to know about how a child is experiencing school. In this Q&A, Michelle discusses signs parents may overlook, changes in confidence and engagement, and what families should consider when evaluating a traditional school, homeschool setting, or another educational option.

The following responses were provided by Michelle Smith of Independent Education Group in response to questions from Greatful Moments.

What is one red flag parents often overlook because their child’s grades appear to be fine?

A child who is earning good grades but has stopped showing curiosity. They may complete every assignment and still seem drained, anxious about making mistakes, or unable to name anything they enjoy learning. Grades tell us what a child produced. They do not always tell us what it took for that child to produce it.

How can parents tell the difference between ordinary back-to-school adjustment and a deeper loss of confidence or engagement?

Look for a pattern over time. A few tiring weeks at the start of school can be normal. I become more concerned when a child consistently dreads school, withdraws from activities they once enjoyed, calls themselves “bad” at learning, or needs an extraordinary amount of effort just to get through an ordinary day. Parents can check in with both their child and their teachers to see whether the same pattern is showing up across settings.

What questions should parents ask their child—and themselves—when evaluating whether their current educational path is still working?

I would ask a child: “When do you feel most interested at school? When do you feel most like yourself? What feels too easy, too hard, or harder than it should?”

Then I would ask the parents: “Are we seeing our child grow in confidence and independence? Are they known well by the adults teaching them? Are we staying on this path because it serves our child now, or because it is the path we expected?”

Those conversations often reveal more than a report card can.

How can parents recognize when a child may need more challenge, additional support, or a different learning environment?

The first step is to understand why the child is disengaged or struggling. A student who finishes quickly and asks deeper questions may need more challenge. A student who wants to participate but repeatedly hits the same obstacle may need targeted support.

If thoughtful changes and support do not improve the child’s experience, it may be time to examine the environment itself—its pace, relationships, teaching approach, or culture. I would not make a school change based on one grade or one difficult month, but I would take a sustained pattern seriously.

For families who homeschool or are considering other educational options, what should they be looking at beyond academic performance?

Ask whether the experience supports the whole child. Is the student developing curiosity, confidence, friendships, independence, and a sense of belonging? Do they have access to adults who understand their strengths and notice when they need help?

Is there enough structure to make progress and enough flexibility to respond as their needs change?

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates