Every student has hopes and dreams. How can a school district help those dreams become reality? At Jenks Public Schools, our responsibility isn’t just to give students knowledge. It’s to grow their skills through experiences and opportunities they can’t find anywhere else. JPS students, success is more than a grade on a test. Success means being prepared and meeting the moment with confidence.
Setting our students up to succeed is the driving force behind the Portrait of a Graduate framework. For months, JPS staff members gathered feedback from students, parents, business leaders, industry pioneers, and community members to identify the attributes and characteristics most needed to thrive in college, in the workforce, and all aspects of life.
The Portrait of a Graduate expands what we value for our students. Developing the following skills and attributes from elementary school through high school will enable our students to realize their full capabilities while standing apart from the crowd:
Collaborator
A collaborator works effectively with others, embracing teamwork, seeking compromise, and resolving differences to achieve a shared goal.
Effective Communicator
An effective communicator fosters strong relationships by clearly expressing ideas and actively listening to understand.
Empathetic
An empathetic person demonstrates understanding and care for others' feelings and experiences, building positive relationships through kindness and respect.
Problem Solver
A problem solver is a critical thinker who identifies issues, demonstrates curiosity, questions assumptions, and navigates challenges to seek solutions.
Resilient
A resilient person perseveres in challenges, while also viewing setbacks as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Self-Advocate
A self-advocate effectively communicates their needs, manages their well-being, and takes ownership of their journey to achieve their goals.
These traits are woven into lesson plans, curriculum materials, resources, and experiences at every grade level. These are the skills employers are looking for in job candidates. These are the characteristics both useful and necessary in nearly every life circumstance. These are the things Jenks students will carry forward, beyond the graduation stage and into a rapidly changing world.
