The Gallup-Walton Family Foundation Student Report Card grades are in, and students gave their school the highest grades in three years. Students rated their schools a B this year, up from a B- in 2024. Scores rose from 2.75 to 2.92 on a 4.0 scale. Black and Hispanic students showed the largest improvements in school ratings.
While this shift is encouraging, disparities remain. Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch feel less prepared for life after school than their peers (70% vs. 76%). Rural students are also less likely to say learning feels exciting, at 49% compared to 58% in metro areas. The findings show signs of progress but highlight where support is still needed.
