Portrait of the Graduate
A Portrait of the Graduate (POG) outlines the skills, knowledge, and dispositions that students across all grade levels should have. It is a promise that our educators make to ALL our students to prepare our students for the world beyond school. Additionally, a Portrait of the Graduate should reflect what our community values for our graduates.
A well-constructed Portrait of the Graduate is often compared to the North Star – serving as our compass guide to both a beginning and an end to our work as educators. The characteristics and dispositions identified in the Portrait of the Graduate do not replace rigorous academic content. Rather, the characteristics and dispositions work in tandem with high academic standards, transcending and connecting independent content areas.
The Characteristics
The BOWA Portrait of the Graduate illustrates a respectful, self aware citizen who, through a determined course of scholastic experiences, displays the following characteristics:
Collaborator
A collaborator is a learner who is an active contributor & works inclusively with others toward a goal while being aware of their unique impact on the world and the world’s impact on them.
- Recognizes themselves as a steward of a greater community
- Listens openly to various perspectives
- Advocates respectfully for one’s own ideas
Establishes meaningful connections with others - Takes responsibility for authentic contributions
Empathizer
An empathizer is a learner who continuously grows their capacity to understand multiple perspectives.
- Acknowledges and affirms the feelings of self and others
- Connects and understands their own thoughts, needs, and perspectives as well as those of others
- Respects differences and demonstrates humility
- Demonstrates compassion through helping and supporting others
Problem Solver
A problem solver is a learner who accepts challenges with curiosity, passion, and creativity while thinking critically to arrive at a variety of possible solutions.
- Observes and asks questions willingly
- Analyzes and synthesizes information from multiple sources
- Perseveres through adversity
- Acknowledges limitations and seeks helpful resources
- Views challenges as opportunities for growth
Planner
A planner is a learner who is able to independently balance demands, responsibilities, and priorities to fulfill their goals, obligations, and aspirations.
- Manages time
- Engages in reflection for individual improvement
- Prepares for responsible personal financial decision making
- Makes choices that promote personal wellness, joy, and contentment
Communicator
A communicator is a learner who is able to clearly, confidently and effectively read, write, speak and listen across various formats and contexts.
- Takes an active role when listening and in expressing thoughts and opinions
- Takes risks to have difficult and courageous conversations to communicate divergent perspectives
- Engages and empowers others
- Understands their audience and adjusts the message
Questions & Summary
As a beginning, POG can:
- Help with strategic planning
- Clarify Vision and Mission Statements
- Assist in developing district and school goals
- Drive curricular and pedagogical decision-making
- Guide budget priorities and decisions
- Create a cohesive K-12 instructional framework
As an end, POG can:
- Represent the aspirations we have for all our learners - ultimately it is the end product that we nurture and develop in our students and for our students.
- Provide benchmarks along the way to identify when, where, and how we deliberately support students in attaining the Portrait of the Graduate.
- Serve as a summative assessment of our students, so when they graduate, we know that they have the skills, knowledge, and dispositions of our Portrait of the Graduate.