Portrait of a Graduate

After six months, 36 community meetings, and more than 6,800 engaged participants, Durango School District’s Board of Education approved a Portrait of a Graduate plan on May 24, 2022. This vision guides the district as a “north star” to prepare students for life after school. When students graduate, that’s really just the beginning.

“This is a shared vision of what qualities our graduates need to possess in order to be positive contributors to society and have a good quality of life,” said Durango School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser. “Portrait of a Graduate adapts the traditional model of education to evolve in an ever-changing world.”

An infographic featuring a cairn — a vertical stack of rocks — serves as a visual metaphor for Portrait of a Graduate. Cairns are familiar to hikers navigating local trails, and for students it will represent “a wayfinder to balance skills on the path to success.”

Portrait of a Graduate (Accessible text version)

Portrait of a Graduate: A wayfinder to balance skills on the path to success

Empathetic Collaborator: Compassionate, inclusive connector focused on interdependence
Resilient Risk-Taker: Self-aware, persistent, and hopeful future-planner
Agile Thinker: Curious, flexible, critical thinker exhibiting a growth mindset
Creative Problem-Solver: Entrepreneurial, innovative, solution-focused design thinker
Confident Communicator: Successful writer, speaker, listener, and digital content producer
Courageous Leader: Responsible, productive community member who takes initiative

SNAPSHOTS: Empathetic Collaborator

Take a look at a few recent examples of our staff and students embracing the Portrait of a Graduate competency of Empathetic Collaborator. We define this as being a compassionate, inclusive connector focused on interdependence. To view these images in an accessible version or see additional posts, search for #EmpatheticCollaborator on our Durango School District Facebook page.

A Facebook post screenshot explains a Roadrunner Closet of clothing items for kids

A facebook post shows a special education program at a middle school

SNAPSHOTS: Resilient Risk-Taker

Here are some examples of our staff and students embracing the Portrait of a Graduate competency of Resilient Risk-Taker. We define this as being a self-aware, persistent, and hopeful future-planner. To view these images in an accessible version or see additional posts, search for #ResilientRiskTaker on our Durango School District Facebook page.

A facebook post shows a girl looking at a flight tech thing in a classroom

A facebook post shows children reading about their designs

A facebook post shows a new school opening

SNAPSHOTS: Agile Thinker

Here are some examples of our staff and students embracing the Portrait of a Graduate competency of Resilient Risk-Taker. We define this as being a curious, flexible, critical thinker exhibiting a growth mindset. To view these images in an accessible version or see additional posts, search for #AgileThinker on our Durango School Distrct Facebook page.