Character Over GPA

“You can get all A’s and still flunk life.”
— Walker Percy

Let’s just say it: No one at the dinner table cares about your kid’s 4.3 weighted GPA.

But they will care if your kid’s a jerk.

Sure, grades matter. Colleges ask for transcripts, not character references. But life? Life doesn’t care how they did on their AP Chem final. Life cares if they show up on time, say thank you, and don’t melt under pressure. Life promotes the kind of people others can count on. Not the ones who aced calculus but never learned how to fail with grace.

We’re not saying skip the homework. We’re saying teach the stuff the homework doesn’t cover. Like humility. Grit. Empathy. How to admit when they screwed up. How to cheer when their friend wins something they wanted.

That’s character. And it will outlast every gold star, every report card, every honor roll bumper sticker.

Here’s the truth: your kid’s future boss isn’t going to ask what they got in 10th-grade biology. But they will notice if your kid can lead a team without being a tyrant. They’ll remember if your kid holds the door open. If they take responsibility. If they make people feel seen.

So yeah, push the academics. But double down on the values.

Praise the effort, not just the A.

Celebrate the courage to try, not just the win.

Because long after the tassel gets flipped and the cap hits the ground, your kid will still be showing up in the world.

And the world needs fewer geniuses and more good humans.