Portrait of a Graduate

As many know, the district started on the journey of a Portrait of a Graduate in the fall of 2019. Input was gathered from students, staff, businesses, and community members to create this shared vision. Over the course of the past couple of years, district stakeholders have worked together to create a common definition and elements for each of the attributes which have resulted in a collective vision that articulates the community's shared dreams and aspirations for our students. The portrait of a graduate team has worked diligently to develop common elements and definitions for each of the attributes that represent the community's vision. The attributes include: 

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Diverse Thinking
• Empathy
• Flexibility
• Responsibility

In the spring and summer of 2022, the portrait of a graduate team met multiple times to review and respond to all of the amazing feedback provided by multiple stakeholders. Two significant changes resulted from this feedback.

The first change involved making minor modifications to the definitions and elements associated with the attributes. Feedback showed the group that what seemed to be clear language at the moment was confusing and needed clarification. The district team made changes to this much needed clarification. The second, and perhaps more significant  adjustment, came in changing the attribute from "adaptability" to "flexibility". Based on the feedback, flexibility better captured the  essence of what the broader community was looking for.

At a building level: grade levels and/or  departments will be working on  determining what these six attributes look like in student-friendly language from early childhood through grade 1, grades 6 through 8, grades 9 through 10, etc., and thinking about where and how we can provide students  opportunities to develop and demonstrate these attributes throughout all areas of the school and beyond. The district portrait of a graduate team will continue to review and determine the best way for students to "house" their work. We are excited to begin implementation for the 2023–2024 school year at all levels!

“My hope is that students from early childhood through grade 12 and beyond are provided support and opportunities to grow and develop in each of the identified attributes so as they graduate, they do so with the skills they need to be successful in our ever-changing world.”Director of Teaching and Learning Jenny Bushman