Portrait of a Graduate

  

A student from SM West looks into the distance with a graduation audience in the stands in the background.

 

Portrait of a Graduate 2025 - All components illustrated- skilled communicator, innovative and critical thinker, civic and global contributor, effective collaborator, resilient learner

About the Portrait of a Graduate

The Portrait of a Graduate is our vision, our North Star, for what it means to be truly ready for the next step after high school. It’s not just about academic knowledge; it’s about the skills, habits, and mindsets that prepare students for college, career, and life success allowing them to navigate an unpredictable world. Through personalized learning plans, we ensure that each student’s pre-k through graduation journey is shaped by their unique strengths, interests, and aspirations, empowering them to approach their future with confidence and purpose.

Our graduates will be: 

● Skilled Communicators - click here to view

● Effective Collaborators - click here to view

● Innovative and Critical Thinkers - click here to view

● Resilient Learners - click here to view

● Civic and Global Contributors - click here to view


Real World Learning 

Shawnee Mission’s focus on Real World Learning ensures graduates are prepared for higher education and the workforce. By 2030, all SMSD students will graduate with a minimum of one Market Value Asset, which may include internships, industry-recognized credentials, entrepreneurial experiences, client connected projects, and/or college credit. These assets equip students with in-demand skills and experiences valued by employers. Our integrated pre-k through graduation approach empowers students to explore, engage with, and experience real-world opportunities, deeply connecting their learning to the world beyond the classroom. 

Graphic of comment filds for Skilled Communicators

Skilled
Communicator
Effectuve Collaborating graphic of 3 hands together

Effective
Collaborator
Animated graphic of human side head view for Innovative Thinkers

Innovative and
Critical Thinker
animated graphic of person reaching for the star, depcting Relisient Learners

Resilient
Learner
Animated graphic of two hands holding earth globe, depicting global & civic leadership

Civic and Global
Contributor

I am a skilled communicator when I ...

  • communicate with purpose and intent in a variety of modes and formats through effective reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
  • effectively express ideas with clarity, actively listen, and thoughtfully respond, considering the perspectives of others.
     

 

I am an effective collaborator when I ...

  • demonstrate the ability to work interdependently with diverse perspectives to promote learning and achieve common goals.
  • work successfully with others and demonstrate a willingness to receive feedback, make adjustments, and compromise to improve the end result.

I am an innovative and critical thinker when I ...

  • am curious, open-minded, and ready to adapt to new knowledge and challenges.
  • exhibit the ability to reason, weigh evidence, think analytically, assess situations, and develop innovative solutions to solve problems and make complex decisions.
  • take initiative, am willing to take risks, challenge convention, and persevere through failure.

I am a resilient learner when I ...

  • recognize my personal strengths and areas of growth and challenge myself to reflect, adapt, and navigate adversity.
  • choose a growth mindset to overcome obstacles and embrace challenges as opportunities.
  • hold myself accountable, fulfill my responsibilities, and show pride and integrity in all that I do.

I am a civic and global contributor when I ...

  • understand and participate in open dialogue regarding issues impacting my community and the world at large.
  • demonstrate an empathetic understanding of diverse perspectives, cultural differences, and global concerns.
  • act responsibly, engage civically, and demonstrate financial literacy and digital citizenship.