Letter of Recommendation for Student — Free Teacher Template
Teachers, counselors and coaches are asked to write recommendations for students all year: summer programs, honors programs, college, internships and first jobs. This version helps you describe what the student is like in your class or activity and back it up with one real example.
Your details
No account needed. Your letter updates as you type.
Live preview
Free to preview[Your full name]
[Your email and phone number]
October 15, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for [Name of the person you're recommending]
Dear Selection Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] for an academic program. [How you know them, and for how long]
[Their key strengths]
One example shows the kind of person [Name of the person you're recommending] is. [A specific example or story]
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] [How strongly you recommend them]. I am confident [Name of the person you're recommending] will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at [Your email and phone number] if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
- Clean PDF + editable Word (.docx)
- No watermark, print-ready on US Letter
- Download link emailed to you
One-time payment, secure checkout by Stripe. FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.
Write about what you've seen
Admissions and selection committees already have grades. Your letter adds what grades can't show: how the student thinks, participates, handles difficulty and treats others. Mention the classes or activities you shared and how long you've known the student.
Choose an example from your own classroom or activity. A small, specific moment often says more than a list of awards.
Ask the student for help
Ask the student for a short list of what they've done in your class, their goals, the program description and the deadline. A brag sheet saves time and keeps you from missing an important accomplishment.
Remember that student records are private. Leave out disciplinary matters, accommodations or family details unless the student asks you to include them and your school's policy allows it.
Mistakes to avoid
Avoid generic phrases such as "hard worker" or "pleasure to have in class" unless you explain what they mean for this student. Don't compare the student unfavorably with named classmates, and don't mention grades or test scores that the student hasn't agreed to share. Double-check the program name and deadline, since many students ask several teachers for letters at once.
What to do, step by step
Agree to write it only if you can be positive
A lukewarm recommendation can hurt more than no letter at all. If you don't know the person well enough to be specific and enthusiastic, say so and suggest someone who does.
Ask for the details you need
Get the deadline, where the letter goes, who it should be addressed to and what the opportunity is. A résumé, job posting or program description helps you choose the right strengths to highlight.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Lead with how you know the person, pick two or three strengths that fit the opportunity, and back them up with one concrete example.
Keep it to one page and proofread it
Most readers skim. Three or four short paragraphs, the person's name spelled correctly and no generic filler will do more than a long letter.
Send it the way the recipient asks
Upload it to the application portal, email it as a PDF or hand a signed copy to the candidate. Keep a copy in case you're asked to write another one later.
What if you don't know the person well enough to write a strong letter?
It's fine to say no. A short, honest reply such as "I don't think I know your work well enough to write the strong letter you deserve" is kinder than a vague recommendation that admissions officers or hiring managers will read as a warning sign.
If you're willing but unsure what to say, ask the person for a quick list of things you worked on together, the qualities they'd like you to speak to and any accomplishments you may not know about. Many strong letters start from a conversation like this.
If you can only speak to part of their experience, write about that part honestly and specifically. A narrow letter with a real example is usually more useful than a broad one full of general praise.
Example letter of recommendation for student
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Ms. Jennifer Cole
Mathematics Teacher, Westview High School
jcole@westviewhs.org, (555) 852-3306
October 5, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for Daniel Nguyen
Dear Selection Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend Daniel Nguyen for an academic program. I taught Daniel in Algebra II and Precalculus and have coached him on our school's math team for two years.
Daniel is a creative problem solver who is never satisfied with just getting the right answer; he wants to understand why it works. He is patient with classmates and often explains new concepts to them in ways I wish I had thought of.
One example shows the kind of person Daniel Nguyen is. At a regional math competition last spring, our team was behind going into the final round. Daniel calmly suggested that each teammate focus on the problem types they were strongest in, and the team finished second, our best result in years. Afterward he spent a week helping a younger teammate review the problems she had missed.
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend Daniel Nguyen without reservation. I am confident Daniel Nguyen will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at jcole@westviewhs.org, (555) 852-3306 if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jennifer Cole
Mathematics Teacher, Westview High School
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should a student ask for a recommendation?
Two to four weeks is a good courtesy, and more during busy college application season. If a student asks at the last minute, it's fine to say you can only write a short letter or that you can't meet the deadline.
Can a coach or club advisor write a student recommendation?
Yes. Coaches and advisors often know a student's work ethic, leadership and character better than classroom teachers. For academic programs, pair a coach's letter with one from a teacher if possible.
Should I mention a student's grade in my class?
You can mention that the student earned a top grade or was among your strongest students, but you don't need to list grades or test scores. Those are on the transcript.
What if I've written many letters for similar programs?
Reuse the structure, but write fresh details for each student. Committees can spot recycled language, and specific examples are what make each letter useful.
What should a letter of recommendation include?
Explain who you are and how you know the candidate, including how long. Then describe two or three specific strengths relevant to the opportunity, support them with a concrete example, and close with a clear statement of your recommendation and your contact details so the reader can follow up.
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
Usually one page, or roughly 300 to 500 words. Admissions committees and hiring managers read many letters, so a focused letter with one strong example is more effective than a long one. Some graduate programs expect a little more detail, so check any instructions you've been given.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.