Mahtomedi Public Schools began work to develop a Portrait of a Graduate in March 2024 by meeting with over 50 career professionals from higher education, the military, and various career fields during the district’s Dessert & Dialogue community engagement event. This event, facilitated by Mahtomedi staff and high school students, featured three roundtable discussions focused on the essential qualities, characteristics, and skills students need for success after high school. The insights gathered during these conversations were instrumental in shaping the district’s Portrait of a Graduate, a key component of our strategic plan.
To ensure ongoing feedback, we prioritized continued input on this document. Over the summer of 2024, our administrators worked on the draft of the Portrait, collaborating with teachers and business professionals, including members of the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce. Superintendent Duffrin shared the draft document with area business leaders, and they provided feedback and suggestions for improvement. We are grateful for their valuable insights and support!
While we have measurements in place, including assessments, grades, behavior, and graduation, to evaluate our system, personal success is harder to measure. Our Portrait of a Graduate will articulate the skills, competencies, and dispositions students need to be globally positioned for success. It will help students reflect on their strengths, identify areas for growth, and find personal, meaningful ways to engage in the community. We look forward to sharing more about our Portrait of a Graduate with our community in the coming months.