Hi! Thanks for chatting with me. We’ll start with an easy one. What is your name?
Joey

What grade are you in?
5th

How is your first year at Excel going?
[Insert a funny face]

Different way to ask, what is something you love about Excel?
Did you know we can see our grades anytime we want? All of them! At other schools I just found at the end, you know when it’s too late.

This sounds really important, why does that matter?
I can use it to make goals, check myself, and track going up and up and up.

How did that work out for you this last trimester?
Well, I did ok in first trimester then had a bad start to second trimester. Some of my grades were low. Really low. I made goals with my teacher, I did everything I could – the revisions, the redos, WIN (what I need) time, the extra work. I checked my grades all the time, and I saw them going up.

And? How how did the trimester end?
Honor Roll! AND the Social Studies growth award for the trimester!

WOW!

[Interview pauses for fist bumps]

Ok, what is something you would change about Excel?
They are pretty strict.

Too strict, or… because your teachers know you are capable of being excellent, so they won’t let you settle for anything less?
You sound like my mom, but I think you’re right.