FAQs

1. Why are we doing this?

In 2024, VHS moved away from the 50 credit elective requirement for graduation.  Many students struggled to meet this requirement and disliked having to return to DHS to take elective classes.   VHS students wanted to focus on their core academic classes and use their time to work outside of school.

We requested a reduction in the number of elective credits and the introduction of a graduate portfolio that included artifacts that focus on core academics and work that prepares students for post secondary opportunities including community college, internships and training programs, the military and paid employment.   The Governing Board agreed to our proposal. 

2. What am I supposed to put in my google drive?

You should include artifacts that you create in the course of your regular classwork. We suggest you organize your artifacts into folders that reflect the five competencies required by the Graduate Portfolio.

You are also welcome to add important artifacts from your work, family, personal and religious life.  For example, you could include a paycheck and a photo of you at work;   a few journal pages from your workout log; 

You can reference the Artifact Resource Page to help you decide what classwork can go into your portfolio. 

3. How many artifacts should I have in my google folder?

This is hard to say:  remember this folder is a resource for you after you leave Valley.  If you need a definite answer, we recommend that you add at least one artifact from your work at VHS and one from your life outside VHS into each competency folder each quarter, beginning in your Junior year.

4. When am I supposed to work on this:  seems like a lot of work 

Students can work on submitting work into their google folders at any time:  they finish their classwork early, they are caught up on their work and can use Access periods, and designated time given during the course of the school year. 

5. How does the portfolio itself work?

Students will download the presentation template and then build their presentation, using artifacts from their google drive.   

6. I have to present my portfolio to an audience?!!   

Yes, this is a celebration of all the work you have done and the skills you have acquired!  Be proud!  We will help you prepare!   Speaking with confidence, being genuine and honest about your struggles, and sharing your triumphs are part of adult life. 

Your presentation will be projected on a large screen and you will speak from written notes (Not from your notes or from the screen)     

Seniors:  You will be able to invite your family and all your friends. And you can watch your friends.  We will host a dessert afterwards.

Juniors/Sophomores:  you will present one competency during the school year for the 2024-2025 school year. 

7. What if I miss my presentation?

Our advice is don’t.   8 minutes is not a long time to do a presentation:  be Strong and Reliant!   Plan appropriately by scaling down your activities as your presentation day approaches.  An excused absence does not excuse you from this graduate requirement.

If there is NO way for you to do your presentation, you will be assigned a makeup date and present before a group of non VHS staff members.   

8.  Do I get a grade on this portfolio presentation?

For the pilot 2024-2025 school year, students will earn a P or NP as indicated on the transcript notation “Graduate Portfolio: completed/not completed”.  Seniors who do not present will have to make up the 20 elective credits.

Moving forward into 2025-2026, the Graduate Portfolio presentation and resulting rubric score will be factored into the Senior level Social Studies classes as graded assignments.