2026-01-20 12 min read

100+ Report Card Comments for Every Subject (Copy & Paste Ready)

Writing report card comments is one of the most time-consuming tasks in a teacher's year. You need to capture each student's progress clearly, stay encouraging yet honest, and do it across every subject on the curriculum. This guide provides ready-to-use report card comments organised by subject and achievement level so you can spend less time staring at a blank screen and more time teaching.

Whether you need report card comments for math, report card comments for English, or ideas for science, history, art and PE, the examples below are ready to copy, adapt, and personalise. Every comment is grouped into three tiers - Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, and Developing - so you can quickly find the right tone for each learner.

Quick tip: Use these student report examples as starting points. Swap in the student's name, reference a specific project, and add one concrete detail. That single change turns a generic comment into something a parent will genuinely value.

Report Card Comments for Mathematics

Maths comments should reflect both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. The full maths report card comments library has dozens more, but here are some of the most versatile.

Exceeding Expectations

[Student] demonstrates an outstanding grasp of mathematical concepts, confidently applying strategies such as partitioning and compensation to solve multi-step problems. They explain their reasoning to peers with clarity and explore extension challenges independently.
[Student] has excelled in mathematics this term, showing particular strength in fractions and decimal operations. They approach unfamiliar problems with curiosity, frequently devising efficient methods that go beyond strategies taught in class.
[Student] has pushed beyond grade-level expectations in maths. Their work on our data and statistics unit was exemplary - they designed their own survey, collected results, and presented findings using appropriate graphs independently.

Meeting Expectations

[Student] has made solid progress in mathematics, demonstrating a reliable understanding of the four operations. They work methodically through problems and are gaining confidence checking answers using inverse operations.
[Student] shows a sound understanding of place value and applies this when adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers. With continued practice, they will become more fluent with multiplication facts, supporting their work across all areas of maths.
This term [Student] has shown consistent effort in mathematics, engaging well during lessons and completing tasks to a good standard. Strengthening their recall of times tables will help them tackle division and fractions with greater ease next term.

Developing

[Student] is developing their understanding of core mathematical concepts and benefits from concrete materials and visual models. With regular practice at home, they are showing more confidence with addition and subtraction.
[Student] has shown a positive attitude towards mathematics, even when tasks have been challenging. They are working towards a secure understanding of place value and would benefit from practice with number bonds.
While [Student] finds some mathematical concepts challenging, they have demonstrated real perseverance. Continued focus on multiplication facts and visual strategies for word problems will support their progress moving forward.

Report Card Comments for English / Language Arts

Strong report card comments for English should cover reading, writing, and spoken language. Reference specific text types or genres so parents can see where their child shines. You can find an extended bank on our English report card comments page.

Exceeding Expectations

[Student] is an exceptionally engaged reader who responds to texts with insight beyond their years. Their written work is characterised by ambitious vocabulary, well-structured paragraphs, and a confident authorial voice that captivates the reader.
[Student] has produced outstanding writing this term, particularly in our persuasive-texts unit. They deployed rhetorical questions, emotive language, and counter-arguments to build a compelling case - an impressive command of language for their age.
Reading comprehension is a real strength for [Student]. They make perceptive inferences, support ideas with textual evidence, and are beginning to analyse how authors create mood and tension. Their book reviews have been a highlight of the classroom library.

Meeting Expectations

[Student] reads with increasing fluency and shows good comprehension of fiction and non-fiction. In writing, they are developing the ability to plan and organise ideas, and their recent narrative showed effective use of descriptive language and dialogue.
[Student] has made pleasing progress in English this term, contributing thoughtfully to class discussions and becoming more confident in structuring written responses. Varying sentence openers will add further sophistication to their writing.
[Student] demonstrates a solid understanding of grammar and punctuation, applying them accurately in most tasks. Their reading journal entries show thoughtful engagement with the class novel, and they are beginning to express opinions with evidence.

Developing

[Student] is making steady progress with reading fluency and is becoming more willing to attempt unfamiliar words using phonics strategies. Encouraging daily reading at home for fifteen minutes will make a real difference to their confidence.
[Student] has shown growth in expressing ideas orally, which is beginning to transfer into their written work. Using planning frameworks before writing will help them organise thoughts into clear paragraphs.
While extended writing remains an area for development, [Student] is becoming more willing to take risks with word choices and has shown improvement in sentence construction. Continued practice with spelling patterns will support their literacy development.

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Report Card Comments for Science

Science comments should highlight both knowledge and the inquiry skills students use during investigations. Mention specific units to give parents a clear picture. Our science comments page has even more examples.

Exceeding Expectations

[Student] approaches science with genuine curiosity. During our unit on forces, they designed a fair test independently, recorded results meticulously, and drew conclusions demonstrating a strong understanding of variables and cause-and-effect.
[Student] exceeds expectations in science by asking probing questions and pursuing their own lines of inquiry. Their research project on renewable energy was thorough, well-referenced, and showed an ability to synthesise multiple sources.
[Student] has demonstrated exceptional scientific reasoning this term. They confidently use technical vocabulary, form testable hypotheses, and evaluate evidence critically. Their enthusiasm often inspires classmates to dig deeper into topics.

Meeting Expectations

[Student] shows a good understanding of topics covered this term, including properties of materials and changes of state. They work collaboratively during experiments and are developing the skill of recording observations systematically.
[Student] participates actively in science lessons and has a secure knowledge of life cycles and habitats. They are becoming more confident making predictions before investigations and explaining whether results supported their hypothesis.
[Student] engages well with practical science activities and is developing their use of scientific vocabulary. This term they have shown particular interest in our Earth and space topic and contributed excellent ideas during discussions.

Developing

[Student] enjoys the hands-on elements of science and is developing their understanding of fair testing. With continued support, they are beginning to identify what to measure and how to record findings using simple tables and charts.
[Student] is building scientific knowledge gradually and responds well to visual aids and demonstrations. Encouraging them to use key vocabulary when discussing observations will strengthen their scientific communication.
[Student] has made encouraging progress in science. They are working towards recording observations independently and would benefit from practice explaining findings using cause-and-effect language.

Report Card Comments for History & Geography

Humanities comments can feel vague. The key is to name the specific topic studied and the skills the student demonstrated, such as source analysis, map reading, or chronological understanding.

Exceeding Expectations

[Student] has shown outstanding understanding of our history unit on Ancient Egypt, analysing primary sources and drawing well-reasoned conclusions about daily life in the past. They presented their research with confidence and impressive detail.
[Student] excels in geography, showing sophisticated understanding of human and physical processes. Their comparative study of urban and rural land use incorporated data analysis, fieldwork observations, and clearly labelled maps.
[Student] brings genuine passion to humanities. In our local-history project they independently sought additional resources, cross-referenced accounts for accuracy, and produced a timeline demonstrating a strong sense of chronology.

Meeting Expectations

[Student] has engaged well with our history topics and can place key events on a timeline accurately. They show a developing ability to explain cause and consequence and are beginning to consider different perspectives.
[Student] demonstrates solid map skills and can use an atlas to locate countries, continents, and key features. Their work on our rivers topic showed good use of geographical vocabulary and neat diagrams.
[Student] shows good recall of historical facts and is developing the ability to explain why events happened, not just what happened. Their group presentation on the Victorian era was informative and well-researched.

Developing

[Student] is developing their understanding of chronology and beginning to sequence events on a timeline with support. Visual resources such as photographs and artefacts help them connect with topics.
[Student] participates in geography with enthusiasm and is working towards using directional and positional language more accurately. Practising map skills at home will reinforce classroom learning.
[Student] has shown growing interest in humanities and responds well to storytelling approaches in history. Using sentence starters will help them organise written responses into clear paragraphs.

Report Card Comments for Art, Music & PE

Foundation subjects deserve thoughtful comments too. Parents appreciate knowing their child's creativity, musicality, or physical development has been noticed. Below are student report examples across art, music, and physical education.

Exceeding Expectations

[Student] demonstrates exceptional artistic talent. Their mixed-media self-portrait showed impressive understanding of colour theory, texture, and composition. They confidently experiment with new techniques and regularly produce work that inspires classmates.
[Student] has made outstanding progress in music, performing confidently on the glockenspiel with fluent notation reading and a steady tempo. Their compositions show a strong sense of melody and an ability to layer rhythmic patterns creatively.
[Student] is an enthusiastic athlete who demonstrates excellent sportsmanship. In our gymnastics unit they performed complex sequences with control and poise, and during team games they show tactical awareness and adapt strategies mid-play.

Meeting Expectations

[Student] approaches art with enthusiasm and care, developing their sketching skills this term using shading techniques to add depth to observational drawings. They take pride in finished pieces and respond positively to feedback.
[Student] participates willingly in music lessons and can perform simple rhythmic patterns with accuracy. They enjoy singing as part of the class ensemble and are developing the ability to listen to others and maintain their own part.
[Student] shows good coordination and effort in PE, demonstrating solid ball-handling skills during our basketball unit and developing an understanding of team strategies such as finding space and communicating with teammates.

Developing

[Student] is developing fine motor control in art and becoming more willing to experiment with different materials. Practising cutting, colouring within lines, and varying pencil pressure will help refine their skills.
[Student] is building confidence in music, identifying differences between loud and quiet, fast and slow. They enjoy exploring percussion instruments and are working towards maintaining a steady beat independently.
[Student] tries hard in PE and shows a positive attitude. They are developing catching and throwing accuracy and would benefit from practising these skills outside lessons to build coordination.

How to Personalise These Report Card Comments

A bank of ready-made comments is a powerful starting point, but the best report card comments feel personal. Here are five strategies for turning generic templates into comments that parents treasure.

  1. Name a specific task or project. Replace "during this term's work" with the actual unit or project name - "during our persuasive-writing unit on plastic pollution" is far more meaningful than "in English."
  2. Include one measurable detail. "Improved their reading level from Level 18 to Level 22" gives parents a concrete benchmark.
  3. Reference the student's character. Mentioning perseverance, kindness, or leadership shows you truly know the child.
  4. Balance praise with a growth area. Even for high achievers, a next step shows you are pushing them forward. Frame it positively: "A rewarding next challenge would be..."
  5. Keep it concise. Aim for three to five sentences per subject. Clarity and warmth matter more than volume. Our guide to writing student reports faster covers this in detail.

Pro tip for end of year: Revisit comments from earlier terms before writing final reports. Highlighting the distance a student has travelled over the year makes concluding remarks far more powerful. See our end-of-year report writing survival guide for more.

Generate Custom Student Reports Instantly

If you want a full report tailored to a particular student in seconds, try our free report generator. Enter the student's name, define your focus areas with strengths and areas for improvement, and the tool produces a polished report you can use straight away.

For teachers who write dozens or hundreds of reports each cycle, Report Alchemy goes further. It learns your school's tone, generates full reports that match your exact format, and lets you refine until it sounds like you. See our pricing plans to find the right fit.

Great report card comments do not have to mean late nights. Whether you use the examples above, personalise them with these tips, or let Report Alchemy handle the heavy lifting, the goal is the same: clear, encouraging feedback that helps every student move forward. Your time matters - spend it where it counts.

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