Having full and unlimited access to online grade portals, such as PowerSchool, used by NDB, can change the way students experience school. Instead of patiently waiting for a graded paper to be passed back in class, students can log into their portals and immediately check how it affected their overall grade, which could lead to stress and anxiety. While these portals were created for efficiency and to keep students informed, they have also contributed to a growing culture of grade comparison and pressure.
For many students, checking and constantly refreshing grades has become an unhealthy habit. Some students refresh their portals multiple times a day, stressing out when their grade changes just a slight percentage. This constant worry can make it difficult to disconnect from school stress, even outside of school hours. Grades are no longer something that students check occasionally; when things are updated, they are always there, available and waiting to be checked.
“I try not to check Powerschool constantly, but I still end up checking it at least a few times a week,” says senior Sophia Nielsen. “Sometimes I compare grades, especially when friends are talking about test scores and assignments, I find it hard not to compare. Online grades can be motivating to keep me on task, but it’s also overwhelming when everything feels so permanent and not fixable.”
The constant availability of grades can often lead to comparison. Students can compare test scores or even just averages with other students and friends, even if those comparisons aren’t spoken out loud. Similar to social media, a student’s grade can be seen and passed around friends and classmates. This can make students focus more on the numbers rather than the effort, challenge or learning behind the material. When students compare their grades, some can find themselves falling behind others, damaging their confidence and increasing their anxiety.
Overall, while online grade portals like PowerSchool are meant to support transparency and organization, they have unintentionally reshaped how students relate to their education. Constant access to grades can shift the focus away from learning and growth and toward pressure, comparison and stress. Moving forward, it is important for schools, teachers and students to find a balance, one that keeps students informed without fueling anxiety, so that academic success is measured not just by grades but by effort and personal growth.
