In 2014, FCPS adopted the Portrait of a Graduate to answer this question: What are the skills necessary for success for all children in this rapidly changing, increasingly diverse, and interconnected world? Portrait of a Graduate moves FCPS students and staff members to look beyond the high-stakes testing environment and to help our students develop skills so they can be successful in the workforce of the future.

Communicator

• Applies effective reading skills to acquire knowledge and broaden perspectives.
• Employs active listening strategies to advance understanding.
• Speaks in a purposeful manner to inform, influence, motivate, or entertain listeners.
• Incorporates effective writing skills for various purposes and audiences to convey understanding and concepts.
• Uses technological skills and contemporary digital tools to explore and exchange ideas.

Collaborator

• Respects divergent thinking to engage others in thoughtful discussion.
• Demonstrates the ability to work interdependently within a group to promote learning, increase productivity, and achieve common goals.
• Analyzes and constructs arguments and positions to ensure examination of a full range of viewpoints.
• Seeks and uses feedback from others to adapt ideas and persist in accomplishing difficult tasks.

Ethical and Global Citizen

• Acknowledges and understands diverse perspectives and cultures when considering local, national, and world issues.
• Contributes to solutions that benefit the broader community.
• Communicates effectively in multiple languages to make meaningful connections.
• Promotes environmental stewardship.
• Understands the foundations of our country and values our rights, privileges, and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates empathy, compassion, and respect for others.
• Acts responsibly and ethically to build trust and lead.

Creative and Critical Thinker

• Engages in problem solving, inquiry, and design of innovative solutions to overcome obstacles to improve outcomes.
• Uses information in novel and creative ways to strengthen comprehension and deepen awareness.
• Demonstrates divergent and ingenious thought to enhance the design-build process.
• Expresses thought, ideas, and emotions meaningfully through the arts.
• Evaluates ideas and information sources for validity, relevance, and impact.
• Reasons through and weighs evidence to reach conclusions.

Goal-Directed and Resilient Individual

• Engages in healthy and positive practices and relationships to promote overall physical and mental well-being.
• Persists to accomplish difficult tasks and to overcome academic and personal barriers to meet goals.
• Uses time and financial resources wisely to set goals, complete tasks, and manage projects.
• Shows strong understanding and belief of self to engage in reflection for individual improvement and advocacy.