Some schools allow parents to write a teacher or placement letter request. In my humble opinion, if your school should allow this opportunity, then you SHOULD write one.
Here are a few guidelines and a sample classroom placement letter to get you started.
I believe that it may or may not help in making your next year’s teacher a better match with your child, but it is worth the chance. So, as the time is now for most schools, how should you write a placement request letter?
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Tips for Writing a Placement Letter Request
Grab your pens and paper, now’s the time to sit down and write a placement letter request. There really is no one right way. This is just the format that I use every year with my own children. Call your school first to find out if they accept placement letters, the date they need the letters by, and the specific guidelines for your school. Some principals allow preferred teachers to be named others do not.
Placement Letter Request Format:
1. Start by stating your child’s current grade level and teacher. I always include a picture of my child somewhere in the letter as well.
2. Write about your child’s strengths – academic and social.
3. Write about your concerns for your child. This is the place to include any special needs or personality traits that may need extra attention.
4. Write about the type of classroom or teacher traits that you feel your child would do best with.
5. Thank the team for considering your request.
Read the article: Getting the Teacher You Want
Sample Classroom Placement Letter
RE: 2024-2025 Classroom Placement Dear “School” Team,
We are writing this letter on behalf of our daughter “name”. She is currently in “teacher” “grade level” class and excelling in all areas; social and academic. “Name” is a very bright and enthusiastic learner. She reads at a much higher decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension level than her current grade. In fact, she reads 1-2 chapter books and multiple picture books every evening and is able to discuss with higher-order thinking, challenging concepts. She reached over 100 AR points, made it to the 5th level in Ticket to Read, and has read almost the entire collection of chapter book series in the school library this year (and she is only 6 years old). In addition to reading, she enjoys science and has become a citizen scientist collecting data for a project called Monarch Health. Her one complaint about school is that she wants to learn more than the material presented. We are currently providing her with enrichment activities at home.
She is also a very thoughtful, kind-hearted child. I have seen her give up her space for others, allow them to go first, and help solve disputes using kind words and effective problem-solving. She responds well to compassionate adults with fair rules.
It is amazing to be parents of such an inquisitive, thoughtful child. When she was younger, we were worried she would have trouble learning as she has vision issues. After patching for several years, multiple eye muscle surgeries, and therapy, she has improved her vision. Glasses are essential for her and she is never without them. She also relies heavily on her other senses and benefits from consistent classroom routines.
We feel that she would do the best in a classroom that is not only organized, with consistent routines but also has a teacher who is willing to challenge and enrich the grade level material. “Name” would also do well with a teacher who routinely uses multi-sensory lessons, rather than one who primarily leans towards providing visual cues and presentations.
Last, but not least, we feel that it is important for her to be placed in a classroom that supports and challenges her in a safe and loving way, for “name” to feel worthwhile and appreciated in her learning environment.
Thank you,
“Parents Names”
Need tips for writing a First Grade Classroom Request Letter?
As a Parent of a Grade School Child, you may also enjoy these resources:
- The Parent Backpack for Kindergarten through Grade 5: How to Support Your Child’s Education, End Homework Meltdowns, and Build Parent-Teacher Connections
- Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential
- Raising a Gifted Child
- Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids
- Different Learners: Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Your Child’s Learning Problems
- Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents
- The Learning Habit: A Groundbreaking Approach to Homework and Parenting that Helps Our Children Succeed in School and Life
- The Educated Child: A Parents Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade
how do i write a letter requesting my child to be kept in her current teacher in grade 1. she is not doing well because of her age and would like to keep her with same teacher.
Help! my son was approved for a replacement to another school, but as a mother I am having difficulty finding the schools the best fits my son’s needs since most of them focus on academic rates and not so much on social skills. I do not where to search or what to look for, my son has an IEP and unfortunately the experiences have not being the best to remember or to share. I am interested in finding a solution than the guilty ones. and although i do not have any idea on where and who to go to, I found this page. I hope someone can help me. thanks
I am hoping you can help me. my kids go to elementary school (2nd, and 3rd grade). Both my kids took the same teacher for kindergarten to 1st grade). This years however who is 2nd grade was placed in different classroom/teacher than his order brother took last year. it was very disappointing! He struggle at the beginning of the school year with the new I am very advocate and I am involved in my kids education and I put tons of hours in school as a volunteer. I do have a great relationship with my kids teachers and my younger child is familiar with his older brother’s teacher. We have a great teacher-parent/student relationship. My younger child wants to take the same teacher his older brother is taking when he is 3rd grade next year. I want to write a letter to the principle requesting my younger child to take the same 3rd grade teacher as his older brother. as a parent, I know my child does well in school, academically and socially when he has strong relationship with the teacher, and he already does. so, why break the bond between teacher-parent/student relationship.
I'm hoping her year is going better. Letters "MAY" help, but are in no way a guarantee for success. Constant communication with the teacher is important no matter what.
I am so glad! These letters are HARD to write!
I think focusing on the positive is a good thing. Then, clearly state your concerns in a kind, but firm manor. If the situation is major, then follow up the letter with a phone call or meeting. We must advocate for our children!
Shannon, this year I drew a blank too and had to come back to this letter for ideas.
Very true. Just because one writes a letter does not mean that all requests are honored. I just write one because I want my voice to be heard. My child is more than a number or statistic and writing a letter helps me feel that the school may get a better idea of who she is and what her needs are.
Sometime a letter is not enough, I encourage you to call and schedule an appointment with the principal to discuss your concerns. In my experience, principals and awesome people and great at problem solving. Always be kind, but clearly state your concerns. I hope they are heard and the year goes better.
As a elementary teacher, a lot of thought goes into placement. Many districts have the teacher make classes without knowing who the teacher will be. A good teacher is suppose to teach to the needs of all the students in his or her class.
With that said, we receive so many letters from parents it is impossible to make everyone happy. My suggestion would be put the top two or three things that are really a priority. At the end of the day I have moved kids out of the 'preferred' class because the make-up of the class wouldn't be beneficial to that child. There are so many pieces to consider during placement and so many moving parts.
As a parent, my child needs a more relaxed teacher. A teacher who will go with the flow while providing a structured environment and holds him accountable. I don't think, at this point I need to request students to be with or not with him. I feel like his teacher is with him every day, she knows who he works well with and who he doesn't. At this moment, social interactions are not a major concern. If that were to change and became a priority I would definitely include it in the letter and maybe even refer to a specific incident(s) that led me to that conclusion.
Help! We already found out about who my son will gave as a teacher next year as it was whats called bump up day this week. Sadly the way in which my sons class was split was extremely upsetting. Most of his grade 6 class moved forward into a 7-8 split. He was left behind with three other boys and two girls and the rest of the class being grade six students. Prior to the bump up day, I discussed with his teacher that I felt that it was important to have even just one of his friends with him. Not one was left behind. What is also upsetting is that his teacher yells. Not at him as he is a good student but at other students. In one year his marks dropped signifiganly from grade five. He had a lovely, kind, enthusiastic teacher. I now feel stuck and upset that I was not aware that I could request a teacher. This will be my sons second year with this teacher. I brought this concern up with the principal of the school and she was going to try to switch a student out but the parents refused. Do you have any suggestions to help my son succeed this year and should I tactful discuss his yelling with the school board.
This is great information. I have to admit when I went for placement this year and was handed the blank form my mind matched it, I wasn’t sure what to say! As for finding the right teacher, as the current teacher who you think would match your child’s learning style the best, some stay neutral, but some will give you a little tip in the right direction. Thanks for this.
I am wondering how to address requesting my child not be placed with a certain other child. I would focus on the needs of my child and not attempt to cut down the other child's role, however I feel you only get one shot at making the letter right, and it has to be strong enough to communicate this is important. Any suggestions on wording things a little stronger in requesting these things?
Great and helpful post, Amanda. I wish we wrote such a letter last year. We relied on our first grade teacher to describe our daughter better while transitioning her to the next teacher. As a result, we had a very disappointing school year. I am a little more optimistic for the third grade as we had several sessions with school principal who promised us a lot more consideration for the next year. Keeping fingers crossed!
Thanks for your advice. This really helps.
that is great advice. My oldest is a 3rd grader with ADHD and my youngest will be starting kindergarten in the fall. I never thought about the questions you just mentioned. I'll be sure to give it some thought! Thanks!
You know, that is a great question. I try to stay away from requesting a particular teacher as a "popular teacher" among parents may not be the best for my child. Almost every teacher I have ever taught with or my kid has had, has amazing qualities and I do feel that teachers are really trying hard to to their best and help our children reach their full potential. So, how to figure out which teacher would match your child??? Does your child like to sing? If so, does the teacher sing teaching songs in the classroom? Is your child ok with a more random daily schedule or do better with structure? the questions keep going…. Does this help?
Great post! Any tips on how to figure out which teacher might be perfect for your little one?