Standard 14

Standard 14 - Students develop STEAM skills and cross-cutting competencies that support workforce readiness. 

As stated in our mission statement, our goal is to prepare students to be independent thinkers, kind citizens, and passionate learners who are ready to change the world. These 21st century competencies are specifically focused on through our school’s learner profile attributes: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.

 In every unit of study and throughout out project-based learning, teachers are purposeful and meaningful to point out when these specific attributes are seen in students. Through our innovative spaces (Makerspace, Collaboratory, Science Lab, Primary STEAM Lab), students are provided opportunities to develop the learner profile attributes competencies to support workforce readiness. For example, when working in collaborative groups, a teacher may ask a student to share when they witnessed another student be caring or open-minded to a new idea. By asking students to share when they see these attributes in one another, students are also able to see examples of when they could see these attributes in themselves. 

In addition to these attributes being meaningfully discussed and present in our units of study and project-based learning, we also take time to celebrate students in each class who embody them. Every month, classmates vote on a student in their class who best represents the monthly learner profile to set as an example for the class and the school. These students are celebrated by their family members joining for a special awards and breakfast ceremony. They also are shared with the whole school through our news program. By highlighting specific students who demonstrate these skills, we are able to encourage other students and set examples in every grade level.