Understanding Nova Scotia report cards
Nova Scotia report cards from Primary to Grade 12 have two parts: the Learner Profile, which describes social skills and work habits, and the Student Achievement section, which tells you whether your child is meeting the learning outcomes for their grade. The wording changes as children move up, from comments in Primary to percentages in Grade 7.
The four levels
Needs developmentND
Official meaning: Needs development with understanding and application of concepts and skills.
In plain words: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
Developing as expectedDE
Official meaning: Developing as expected with understanding and application of concepts and skills.
In plain words: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
Well developedWD
Official meaning: Well-developed understanding and application of concepts and skills.
In plain words: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
Well developed and extendingWD
Official meaning: Well-developed understanding and application of concepts and skills, used confidently in new situations.
In plain words: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Source: Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
What else is on the report card
Primary has comments, not grades
In Primary (Kindergarten), report cards describe your child's progress in language arts and mathematics in words. Pre-primary children do not receive report cards, and their early childhood educator shares updates instead.
WD, DE and ND in Grades 1 to 3
WD means a well-developed understanding and application of concepts and skills. DE means developing as expected. ND means needs development. INS means there is insufficient evidence to report. Language arts and mathematics carry comments, and science, social studies, health and the arts are woven into them.
Grades 4 to 6 add letters
In Grades 4 to 6 the first-term report uses WD, DE and ND. The second and third terms use A (thorough), B (good), C (basic) and D (limited), and add grades for Core French (or Mi'kmaw or Gaelic where offered), music and physical education.
Percentages from Grade 7
In Grades 7 to 12, each course is reported as a percentage with a description: 90 to 100 is excellent, 80 to 89 is very good, 70 to 79 is good, 60 to 69 is satisfactory and 50 to 59 is minimal. Below 50 means the minimum requirements of the course have not been met.
Provincial assessments in Grades 3, 6 and 8
Students in Grades 3, 6 and 8 write provincial assessments of reading, writing and mathematics. They show what children have learned over several years, so there is nothing to study for, and the results come in a report a few months later.
Common questions
Is ND a failing grade?
No. ND means your child needs development with that learning right now. It tells you where extra practice and a conversation with the teacher will help most.
What is the difference between DE and WD?
DE means your child is developing as expected, and WD means the understanding is well developed. Teachers decide using conversations, observations and the work your child creates, not one test.
Does Gradelings give a grade?
No. Gradelings shows how practice is going on four steps that line up with the report card for your child's grade, so you can see where your child is strong and where to practise. Your child's teacher decides the grade.
What do provincial assessments mean for my child?
They give teachers and the department a picture of reading, writing and mathematics in Grades 3, 6 and 8. Children do not need to study for them, and they are separate from report card grades.
How can I help at home?
Ask your child's teacher which outcomes to focus on, then try short, regular practice (10 to 15 minutes). Celebrate effort and progress, not just results.