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Portrait of a Graduate

Portrait of a Graduate

The Portrait of a Graduate, a framework developed by a school or district to help students envision themeselves as future high school graduates, defines the skills, knowledge, and attributes students should possess upon graduation to be successful in the 21st century. It moves beyond traditional academic measures and emphasizes deeper learning, future-readiness, and community-defined success.

San Diego Virtual School's 'Portrait of a Graduate' logo with a graduation cap.

  • Two speech bubbles, outlined in white, sit inside a dark blue circle.

    Communication: the process of conveying information, ideas, or feelings through a shared system of symbols, signs, or behavior.

     

    Collaboration: a partnership; a union; the act of producing or making something together

  • Icon of a team with a leader, symbolizing collaboration and ideas.

    Critical Thinking: the mental process of actively and skillfully analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information to form a judgment.

    Problem Solving: the process or act of finding a solution to a problem.

  • Icon of two hands shaking, symbolizing agreement and trust, within a blue circle.Responsibility: being accountable for one's actions and duties, including fulfilling obligations, taking care of oneself and belongings, and understanding the consequences of choices.

    Accountability: the quality or state of being accountable. especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.

  • A white outline of a person looking in a mirror, set against a blue circle.

    Self Awareness: conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires

    Adaptability: the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.

  • An icon of a clipboard, gear, and shield, representing processes and security.Work Ethic: a belief in work as a moral good and a set of values centered on the importance of doing work and reflected especially in a desire or determination to work hard

    Discipline: training yourself to follow rules and standards of behavior, often involving self-control with the ability to delay gratification. How: focus on developing good habits, setting clear goals, and managing distractions.