Board reviews "Portrait of a Graduate" drafts to shape district vision

Superintendent Dr. Jensen presented three draft versions of a Portrait of a Graduate to the Cave Creek Unified School District Governing Board on April 22, describing it as a tool to summarize the district’s mission and the qualities the district wants students to demonstrate at graduation.

Dr. Jensen said the drafts reflect input gathered from PTOs, school-level groups and student cadres. She described the product as both an internal alignment tool and a future public-facing piece; the intent, she said, is primarily internal to “keep an eye on the prize” and to create common language across schools.

Board members expressed a preference for the single-page layout that consolidates attributes (for example, “critical thinker,” “communicator,” “collaborator”) and asked for clear, grade-band descriptors so terms such as “ethical” or “equity” have consistent definitions at K–2, 3–5, 6–8 and 9–12 levels. Member Walker recommended icons to help younger students and parents quickly grasp each attribute; others suggested including program examples if the piece will be used for external marketing.

Dr. Jensen said administrators will return with final language and grade-level rollouts, and that the district’s new grade-level teams could help tailor the Portrait for K–2, 3–5, 6–8 and 9–12 use. She said a final piece will be brought back to the board for approval and that staff aims to have materials ready by the start of the next school year.

Board members supported continuing work on the Portrait and asked staff to return with definitions, grade-band versions and a rollout plan.