Blog Graphic - Goal Setting for Students

Goal Setting for Students: How Parents Can Help

Setting and achieving goals is crucial for students’ academic and personal growth. Whether your child has just started elementary school or is already in high school, goal setting can help them become independent, self-motivated learners.


As a parent, you have an important role to play in supporting your student as they identify potential goals and work towards their objective. Find out how you can best guide your child towards positive goal-setting habits.

Why is setting goals important for students?

Setting goals teaches students independence, responsibility, and perseverance. By deciding what types of goals they would like to achieve, students are empowered to take ownership of their learning. Students often develop important life skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, or time management in the process of meeting their goal. 


The effects of goal setting for students can be long lasting and impactful. Every time your student accomplishes a goal, they will become more confident in their skills, which can foster a healthy sense of self-esteem and fulfillment. Furthermore, they will feel motivated to continue pushing themselves further. 

How to set academic goals

The SMART goals criteria is a great framework to follow when setting academic goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. Here are a few tips for creating effective SMART goals with your student.

Get specific

Effective goal setting starts with clarity and specificity. “I want to do better in math” is a vague goal without a clear endpoint, while “I want to score 90% or higher on my next math test” has a specific objective.

Decide how to track progress

Your student’s goal should include a way to measure their progress. For example, if your child wants to read ten books over summer break, you can create a chart with boxes they can check off every time they finish a new book. If your child wants to master a challenging new song for an upcoming band solo, provide them with a place to track their practice time and reflect on their progress.

Gradually work up to larger goals

While ambition is important, your students’ goals should be realistic based on their current skill sets and time constraints. To prevent your child from getting overwhelmed, consider breaking goals into smaller steps. If they meet their initial goal, you can work with them to establish what the next milestone should be.

Align goals with your student’s interests

Setting goals can be a great way for your child to discover a new hobby or further explore their current interests. Talk to your child and ask them if there’s anything new they’d like to learn or anything they’d like to improve on. Your child will be more motivated to achieve their goal if it pertains to something they’re passionate about. 

Determine a timeline

If your student’s goal does not have a clear deadline, it can be easy for them to lose focus of their objective. Try to set goals that have a specific date or time frame attached to them. For example, “I want to raise my history grade to an A by the end of the month” or “I will complete my science project two days before the due date.”

Tips for helping students achieve their goals

Your encouragement and guidance can go a long way in helping your student meet their goals. Here are a few ways to support your child’s progress.

Provide resources and support

Consider what tools your child needs to achieve their goal. Do they need a quiet study space? Access to a tutor? Extra study supplies? Check in every so often to ensure your child has everything they need.

Encourage flexibility

If you notice that your child is becoming discouraged by setbacks, provide suggestions for how they can adjust their goal to make it more manageable. Remind them that it’s okay to reassess goals as needed. By breaking down the goal into smaller tasks, you can reignite your child’s motivation and prevent burnout.

Model positive goal-setting behavior

As you sit down with your child to establish academic goals, consider making a few goals of your own. You can have weekly goal “check-ins” with your child where you both share your progress. By maintaining a positive attitude and sharing tips for overcoming challenges, you can encourage your child to stay motivated.

Celebrate progress

Don’t wait until your child meets their end goal to recognize their hard work—celebrate their progress along the way! By acknowledging each milestone, you can boost your child’s confidence and encourage them to keep pushing themselves. 

Work collaboratively with teachers and school staff

Teachers or school staff can be a great resource for helping your child meet their goals. Meeting with your child’s teachers provides an opportunity to discuss your child’s strengths and areas for improvement. Plus, regular communication with teachers can ensure that your child’s academic goals are in line with the school’s expectations.


At BASIS Charter Schools, our Student Affairs team works one-on-one with students who need extra support, teaching them valuable study habits, time management skills, and more. We work with students to establish goals that will enable them to thrive in our rigorous academic program.


To learn more about BASIS Charter Schools and our innovative approach to K–12 education, join us for an upcoming school tour or event. We are the highest-achieving charter school network in the nation, with 40 schools across Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington, D.C. With our accelerated curriculum, dedicated staff, and supportive learning environment, we empower each student to reach their full potential. Find a BASIS Charter School near you.

Recent Articles

Teacher in classroom with her students

Celebrating International Day of Education

International Day of Education is celebrated every January 24th. Learn about the history of this day of observance and why it's important to bring quality education to all.
Middle school boys sitting at a table at school. One boy is smiling at the camera and giving a thumbs up

Goal Setting for Students: How Parents Can Help

Setting goals teaches students independence, responsibility, and perseverance. Find out how you can help your child set and achieve academic goals.
Collage of high school students from BASIS Charter Schools who received the QuestBridge Match Scholarship. The QuestBridge logo is next to the student images

Congratulations to Our 2024 QuestBridge Match Scholarship Winners

Eight BASIS seniors received the 2024 QuestBridge College Match Scholarship. Learn more about this full-ride scholarship, and see which colleges our winners matched with!