Home

To define the qualities of a future-ready student, Oakwood Schools recently launched our Portrait of a Learner initiative. Last month, we brought together students, staff, families, and community members for a day of focused dialogue to create a shared vision for the skills every Oakwood learner needs to thrive in today’s world.

Feedback from these sessions revealed a consensus on four competencies our community believes are vital for success:

• Fostering Well-Rounded Individuals: Success is more than academic achievement. The focus is on developing well-rounded individuals who have strong personal values and prioritize their well-being.
• Future-Focused Skills and Adaptability: Students must be adaptable problem solvers and effective communicators, equipped with the creative and practical skills needed for a dynamic world.
• Ownership of Learning: A successful student takes responsibility for their education, shows resilience when faced with challenges, and learns from setbacks.
• Culture of Compassion and Connection: Kindness, fairness, and compassion are central. A successful learner builds positive relationships and cares for others.

The Portrait Core Team is now shaping this feedback into a foundational document that will serve as our district’s guiding star. This Portrait is designed to enhance, not replace, our high academic standards. By focusing on these core skills, we empower students to apply their academic knowledge in more creative and effective ways.

This new vision formalizes our community’s shared goals and will guide decisions on curriculum, instruction, and professional development, shaping the educational experience for every student. The completed Portrait of a Learner is scheduled to be unveiled in March 2026.

Learn more about Portrait of a Learner and follow the progress by visiting oakwoodschools.org/academics/portrait-of-a-learner.