Portrait of a Graduate
Portrait of a Graduate
Building a Strong Foundation to Grow Like a Redwood and Reach New Heights
At Eureka City Schools, we believe in the power of a unifying vision to integrate our efforts across all schools. Students need more than strong academics to thrive in college, careers, and as citizens. For the first time, Portrait of a Graduate defines the essential academic and non-academic (or “soft”) skills our students need to succeed. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and aspirations of our student body, Portrait of a Graduate aims to empower every student, regardless of their postsecondary path.
The term Portrait of a Graduate serves as a metaphor, envisioning a future graduate equipped with the knowledge, skills, character traits, and social-emotional competencies required to navigate a dynamic and interconnected world. This vision ensures our students are prepared to excel in the economy, contribute to their communities, and lead fulfilling lives.
This initiative was developed through extensive community input, incorporating ideas and feedback from stakeholders to create a shared vision. The resulting Portrait of a Graduate reflects a framework designed to guide a 10-15 year collaboration, embedding this vision throughout Eureka City Schools’ curriculum and programs.
The core attributes of the ECS Portrait of a Graduate include:
- Effective Communicator
- Independent Critical Thinker
- Responsible Collaborator
- Community Engager
- Global Steward
- Resilient Learner
Together, we are committed to nurturing these qualities in every student, ensuring they are prepared to reach new heights and make a lasting impact in their lives and the world around them.
Future: Portrait Series
The Portrait Series from Eureka City Schools is a future-focused visioning initiative that defines the mindsets, skills, and systems necessary to support student success across the district. Rooted in the Portrait Model framework by Getting Smart, the series includes the Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, Portrait of a Leader, and Portrait of a System. Each portrait outlines a set of guiding principles to drive coherence and transformation - from fostering learner agency and well-being to promoting inclusive excellence, equity, innovation, and continuous growth.
The Portrait of an Educator highlights the role of teachers as compassionate, adaptable, and equity-driven mentors who create meaningful, inclusive learning experiences. The Portrait of a Leader emphasizes service-oriented leadership that values communication, resilience, and innovation. The Portrait of a System outlines the structures and conditions needed for learner-centered, future-ready education. Together, the series presents a unified vision that connects people, practices, and policies to prepare every student for lifelong learning and contribution.
After Board adoption, this page will be updated to reflect the full Porait Series.