Portrait of a Graduate

The MTSD Portrait of a Graduate is a district-wide framework that defines the essential skills and attributes we aim for every student to develop prior to graduation. These are vital 21st-century competencies designed to prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong success. The Portrait of a Graduate was carefully developed through the collaborative efforts of a diverse steering committee composed of students, parents, educators, community members, administrators, board members, and representatives from local colleges and universities. This collective effort reflects our community’s shared vision for student achievement. Central to this framework are six core attributes, all rooted in the concept of a Growth Mindset. These attributes encompass skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. Descriptions of each attribute are included in the accompanying graphic, and we encourage you to review them. In the coming months, we will integrate the Portrait of a Graduate into various aspects of our district—including classroom instruction, curriculum development, school culture, and district policies. Our aim is to ensure that, at every grade level, students have meaningful opportunities to develop these skills throughout their K–12 journey. The outer ring of the graphic links this initiative to our district’s broader strategic goals, as outlined in our comprehensive plan. Together, these elements will guide how we support, evaluate, and recognize student growth. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. We look forward to working together to help all MTSD students develop the skills necessary for success now and in the future.

Career Ready

• Adaptability & Flexibility: I adapt and evolve in response to the ever-changing workforce and global community, aligning my work with my personal and community goals.
• Continuous Learning & Skill Development: I have a strong commitment to self-improvement and ongoing learning.
• Community Enrichment & Purposeful Career Goals: I contribute to the enrichment of my community through meaningful work aligned with my passions and strengths.

Character

• Integrity & Responsibility: I act with integrity, even when it's difficult or unpopular, and I take ownership of my actions, words, and decisions.
• Empathy & Respect: I demonstrate empathy, kindness, and respect toward others and myself and I foster positive relationships.
• Continuous Self-Reflection & Improvement: I reflect on and nurture my physical, mental, and emotional well-being and am dedicated to personal growth.

Communicator

• Practical Communication Skills: I employ healthy communication skills. This includes active listening and expressing ideas clearly, respectfully, and constructively across various mediums to diverse audiences.
• Emphasis on Advocacy & Uplifting Others: I advocate for myself and others by sharing my passions and uplifting others through effective communication.
• Culturally Sensitive and Flexible Communication Skills: I interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and navigate cultural differences sensitively and respectfully.

Critical Thinker

• Embracing Productive Struggle & Questioning Assumptions: I persevere through productive struggles to problem-solve and question my biases and assumptions.
• Utilizing Skills, Knowledge, & Resources: I am a flexible thinker. I utilize skills, intellect, and prior experiences, and I can identify reliable resources to generate solutions and tackle problems creatively.
• Openness to Feedback & Consideration of Others' Viewpoints: I accept constructive feedback, consider diverse viewpoints while problem-solving, and engage in collaborative efforts.

Contributor

• Acts of Service & Contribution: I am willing to give time, contribute my strengths and talents, and find ways to serve my local, national, or global communities.
• Adding Value & Making Contributions: I add value to groups or communities by utilizing my experiences, ideas, strengths, and talents to contribute to a larger purpose.
• Understanding the Importance of Engagement & Participation: I recognize the value of engaging and doing my part at home, school, or within the broader community to contribute positively to collective goals and endeavors.

Collaborator

• Active Engagement & Contribution: I actively engage with multiple perspectives, contribute unique viewpoints, and collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
• Responsibility & Accountability: I am responsible and accountable for my efforts within a team to create outcomes representative of collective values.
• Effective Communication & Cultural Awareness: I communicate respectfully and ethically, with an appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives. I give and ask for assistance, encourage and advocate for others, and reflect on feedback for improvement.