With over 1,000 students graduating each year from the Fayette County Public School System, there was a desire to create a vision of what every Fayette County graduate would need to build a successful future. 
That student-focused vision has now turned into reality with the new, unique program called a Portrait of a Graduate. This initiative is used to identify the critical skills and competencies necessary for graduates to live quality lives, have successful careers, and compete in a rapidly changing world.
After a year-long community research process, a diverse design team identified seven key characteristics of successful high school graduates: lifelong learners, collaborators, effective communicators, future ready, creative problem solvers, resilient, and productive citizens.
Fayette County Public School System graduates will be lifelong learners who master core competencies and financial literacy; collaborators who work effectively in teams; effective communicators who are proficient in writing and public speaking skills; and future ready graduates who use technology appropriately and have the soft skills needed to maintain a positive attitude and an effective work ethic. In addition, our graduates will be creative problem solvers who demonstrate independent and innovative thinking; resilient graduates who have the ability to bounce back from difficult or disappointing experiences and show perseverance; and, most importantly, graduates who will be productive citizens of society with cultural awareness and responsiveness.
Starting from kindergarten through 12th grade, Fayette County teachers will utilize and implement these Portrait of a Graduate characteristics into their classrooms to grow each student toward proficiency.
Locally developed, but globally positioned, the Portrait of a Graduate initiative is part of a nationwide effort led by EdLeader21 to articulate what education means in an ever-changing world. It is customized according to each community’s aspirations for the coming generations. EdLeader21 has more than 200 participating districts and schools nationwide, and provides resources and a network for educators implementing the 4Cs – critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Virginia Gibbs, the school system’s coordinator of innovative partnership development, says, “Having Portrait of a Graduate as a reference for our schools is such a positive way for us to ‘start with the end in mind.’ It gives us a clear picture of the critical characteristics and skills which all of our graduates need to have for success after high school. The Portrait of a Graduate will also will help us make sure our strategic plans and our classroom practices are well aligned to equip our students with the tools they need for their future.”
For more information about a Portrait of a Graduate, click here.
The Portait of a Graduate design was created by a 2018 McIntosh High School graduate.
