Portrait of a Graduate

Teachers and staff led the charge in reimagining our Portrait of a Graduate. The new, simplified version represents our continued commitment to students and families that every learner will graduate high school equipped to adapt to the rapid pace of change in the 21st century and succeed in the workforce now and in the future.

FCPS promises that every high school graduate will be able to say "I am ..."

Students are individuals with learning styles, aspirational goals, and needs unique to them. Team FCPS stands ready to champion each of their journeys with encouragement and support as they strive to achieve their post-secondary goals and become the very best versions of themselves because the true benchmark of success is not a high school diploma, but where that diploma takes our students in life!

Our original Portrait of a Graduate, developed in 2017, included five pillars and nearly 50 performance outcomes.  Our updated portrait focuses on four total promises associated with 16 performance outcomes, and they are aligned with milestones in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. This 2.0 version reflects a modernized approach to the skills and competencies that we aim for our students to know, to do, and to be like. 

Download the Poster

The system also includes a three-year plan (begun in 2024-25) on how we want to see the Portrait of a Graduate come to life inside the classroom and out in the community by focusing on these three tenants of deeper learning: 

• Vibrant learning experiences and authentic assessments
• Family and community collaboration
• Transformational connections

The focus in Year 1 was exploration and celebration. In Year 2, exhibitions and presentations. And Year 3, full implementation.