As DGS approaches the second semester, the administration has noticed many changes in grade patterns. Comparing the first semester of the 2024-25 school year to the first semester of the 2025-26 school year, students’ grades have shown significant improvement. Over this first semester, DGS has seen a 22.2% decrease in the number of Ds and Fs in students.

Last year, a total of 1,838 students received a grade of D or F. This year, the total has decreased to 1144 Ds or Fs. This is a significant change from the previous first semester. Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Jacob Giblin gives insight into why he believes these numbers are significantly lower this year.

“In talking to [the] teachers and students, the phones not being a distraction during class has had a big impact. It’s allowed students to be more focused in the classroom, and it has minimized some of the distractions. Some of the attendance changes and the check-ins that we’ve been doing [are] getting kids into class,” Giblin said.

Many students have also noticed changes in their grades. Junior Sofia Tyson has noticed an improvement in her grades from the 2024-25 school year.

“The scanning in allows me to make sure I’m at every class, on time, and not late. Putting my phone in the phone cubbies also helps me stay less distracted. Last year, if there was free time in a class, I would take my phone out instead of doing work, but this year I do my work,” Tyson said.

During the first semester in the 2024-2025 school year, the total number of Fs was 722. The number for the 2025-26 school year is now 267, which is a 37% decrease in the total number of students who have F’s. Tyson shared her opinion on why she thinks her grades have personally improved.

“Last year, I was having a lot more work to do outside of school, along with sports and extracurriculars, but this year [school] is not as draining. I have been able to spend more time on each subject,” Tyson said.

Administration’s goal for 2026 is to continue this decrease in the number of Ds and Fs while also focusing on increasing the number of As and Bs. They are aiming to continue enforcing the phone and attendance policies, as well as continuing to allow students to pay attention while in class.

“The current plans are to continue what we’re doing. We are always looking at data and trying to talk to teachers and students to try to understand if there are improvements that can be made,” Giblin said.

With the percentage of Ds and Fs down in students, they can focus more on classes and do a better job on their schoolwork.

“More students [are] having good results right now in classes, because they’re able to pay attention and be there,” Giblin said.