Portrait of a Graduate

Norwalk Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate

The mission of Norwalk Public Schools is to provide an excellent and equitable education that prepares all students to be future ready as civically responsible, globally engaged, and positive contributors to society.

To bring this mission to life, we developed the Portrait of a Graduate (PoG). The PoG is our roadmap to becoming future ready, as it defines the essential skills and mindsets that all students need to thrive in today’s world and in the future. It is a shared vision for teaching and learning that empowers every student to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with purpose, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

Through the PoG, we are aligning instruction, programs, and partnerships across the district so that every student has the opportunity to develop these competencies from PreK through graduation.

In the 2026-27 school year, we will be transitioning into Phase III of the Portrait of a Graduate! Building on the strong foundation established through Phase I (Critical Thinker) and Phase II (Effective Communicator), this next phase focuses on the Self-Directed Learner. 

Throughout the year, students will be supported in taking a more active role in their learning by setting meaningful goals, reflecting on their progress, and identifying strategies to strengthen their skills as critical thinkers and effective communicators. Students will also have expanded opportunities to build positive habits that support their physical and emotional well-being, helping them thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Learn more about the Portrait of a Graduate