The framework isn't just a list of goals — it paints a picture of who students become. Each portrait describes the integrated person: how they think, communicate, create, reason, and show up in the world. It's the developmental arc from curious preschooler to capable, confident graduate.
The Developmental Arc
Each stage builds on the last — from exploration to mastery, from dependence to leadership
PreK
Confident Explorer
Kinder
Emerging Scholar
1st
Independent Learner
2nd
Confident Problem-Solver
3rd
Analytical Thinker
4th
Collaborative Scholar
5th
Emerging Leader
6th–8th
Systems Thinker
9th–12th
Global Citizen
PreK
The Confident Explorer
A curious and confident explorer who approaches learning with enthusiasm and wonder.
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By the end of preschool, our graduate has developed the foundational skills necessary for formal schooling while maintaining their natural love of discovery. They ask "why?" constantly, try again after mistakes without becoming overly frustrated, and play cooperatively with peers.
As a Learner
Recognizes when they need help, focuses for 5-10 minutes, and sets simple daily goals with support.
As a Communicator
Expresses wants and needs in complete simple sentences and tells personal stories with a clear sequence.
As a Mathematician
Counts objects to 10, recognizes small quantities without counting, and understands more/less.
As a Scientist
Asks "why" and "how" questions, makes observations about weather, and explores materials through senses.
As a Social Being
Plays cooperatively, identifies basic emotions in self and others, and follows classroom rules.
As a Creative Thinker
Engages in elaborate pretend play, explores art materials with enthusiasm, and invents simple games.
As a Physical Being
Runs, jumps, and climbs with coordination; holds crayons with increasing control.
As a Digital Citizen
Understands that screens are tools with specific purposes and navigates simple educational apps.
Ready for Kindergarten: approaches new experiences with confidence and can function in a structured learning environment.
Kinder
The Emerging Scholar
An emerging scholar who has successfully transitioned into formal education with independence and curiosity intact.
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By the end of kindergarten, our graduate demonstrates independence in learning routines while maintaining their natural curiosity and creativity. They navigate the structured school environment with growing confidence.
As a Learner
Plans simple tasks independently, focuses for 15-20 minutes, and reflects on daily learning.
As a Communicator
Reads simple texts, writes short sentences, and participates in structured discussions.
As a Mathematician
Adds and subtracts within 10, recognizes patterns, and compares quantities using mathematical language.
As a Scientist
Conducts simple observations, records findings with drawings, and describes cause and effect.
As a Social Being
Resolves simple conflicts with words, demonstrates empathy, and contributes to classroom community.
As a Creative Thinker
Creates art with intention, experiments with different media, and explains creative choices.
As a Physical Being
Demonstrates fine motor control for writing, follows multi-step movement sequences.
As a Digital Citizen
Uses technology for specific learning tasks and understands basic online safety rules.
Ready for First Grade: functions independently in academic routines and is prepared for more complex learning challenges.
1st Grade
The Independent Learner
An independent learner who takes ownership of their educational journey while working collaboratively with others.
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By the end of first grade, our graduate demonstrates responsibility for their learning while working collaboratively with others. They read with purpose, write to communicate, and approach math with growing confidence.
As a Learner
Sets learning goals with minimal support, monitors their own understanding, and persists through challenges.
As a Communicator
Reads grade-level texts fluently, writes multi-sentence paragraphs, and presents ideas to small groups.
As a Mathematician
Adds and subtracts within 20, understands place value, and solves word problems.
As a Scientist
Asks testable questions, conducts simple experiments, and records data systematically.
As a Social Being
Demonstrates consistent empathy, navigates friendships, and understands community responsibilities.
As a Creative Thinker
Generates multiple solutions to problems, expresses ideas through various art forms.
As a Physical Being
Participates in sustained physical activity, demonstrates body awareness and spatial skills.
As a Digital Citizen
Creates simple digital content, understands digital footprints, and uses technology responsibly.
Ready for Second Grade: self-directed in routine tasks and prepared for more complex academic content.
2nd Grade
The Confident Problem-Solver
A confident problem-solver who approaches challenges with persistence and creativity.
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By the end of second grade, our graduate demonstrates increased independence while contributing meaningfully to their learning community. They tackle multi-step problems, read to learn (not just learning to read), and communicate with purpose.
As a Learner
Uses multiple strategies when stuck, evaluates their own work, and adjusts approach based on feedback.
As a Communicator
Reads informational texts for understanding, writes organized paragraphs with supporting details.
As a Mathematician
Fluently adds and subtracts within 100, understands multiplication concepts, and interprets data.
As a Scientist
Designs fair tests, collects and organizes data, and draws evidence-based conclusions.
As a Social Being
Takes perspective of others, contributes to group decision-making, and advocates for fairness.
As a Creative Thinker
Iterates on creative work, gives and receives constructive feedback, and takes creative risks.
As a Physical Being
Sets personal fitness goals, understands nutrition basics, and demonstrates sportsmanship.
As a Digital Citizen
Evaluates digital sources for basic reliability, creates multimedia content, and collaborates online.
Ready for Third Grade: approaching the critical shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" with confidence.
3rd Grade
The Analytical Thinker
An analytical thinker who examines information critically and makes connections across disciplines.
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By the end of third grade, our graduate demonstrates intellectual curiosity and takes ownership of their learning journey. They read to learn across all subjects, think mathematically about the world, and engage with increasing depth and nuance.
As a Learner
Monitors comprehension while reading, identifies when a strategy isn't working, and self-corrects.
As a Communicator
Writes multi-paragraph essays, speaks persuasively with evidence, and adapts communication to audience.
As a Mathematician
Multiplies and divides fluently, understands fractions conceptually, and applies math to real situations.
As a Scientist
Designs controlled experiments, analyzes patterns in data, and constructs evidence-based arguments.
As a Social Being
Understands multiple perspectives on issues, engages in civic discussions, and leads group activities.
As a Creative Thinker
Combines ideas from different sources, critiques creative work constructively, and refines through iteration.
As a Physical Being
Demonstrates sport-specific skills, understands the body's response to exercise.
As a Digital Citizen
Conducts research using multiple digital sources, evaluates information for bias.
Ready for Fourth Grade: thinking abstractly and analytically, prepared for more complex interdisciplinary work.
4th Grade
The Collaborative Scholar
A collaborative scholar who balances individual excellence with meaningful contribution to group success.
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By the end of fourth grade, our graduate demonstrates sophisticated thinking and communication skills while maintaining curiosity and creativity. They lead and follow with equal skill, and their work shows depth and originality.
As a Learner
Sets long-term academic goals, manages time across multiple projects, and seeks feedback proactively.
As a Communicator
Writes in multiple genres with voice and style, presents research findings formally, and debates respectfully.
As a Mathematician
Works with fractions and decimals, applies algebraic thinking, and interprets complex data displays.
As a Scientist
Designs multi-variable experiments, models systems thinking, and evaluates scientific claims.
As a Social Being
Navigates complex social dynamics, advocates for others, and understands systemic fairness.
As a Creative Thinker
Develops original creative vision, mentors younger students in creative processes.
As a Physical Being
Creates personal wellness plans, demonstrates leadership in team sports and activities.
As a Digital Citizen
Creates digital content ethically, understands intellectual property, and collaborates globally.
Ready for Fifth Grade: balancing independence with collaboration, prepared for leadership responsibilities.
5th Grade
The Emerging Leader
An emerging leader who demonstrates academic excellence while supporting others' success.
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By the end of fifth grade, our graduate shows readiness for the increased independence and responsibility of middle school. They evaluate their own learning preferences, express complex ideas persuasively, and think in systems.
As a Learner
Evaluates how learning preferences affect performance and adjusts strategies accordingly.
As a Communicator
Expresses complex ideas clearly and persuasively across multiple formats and audiences.
As a Mathematician
Works confidently with positive and negative numbers, applies proportional reasoning.
As a Scientist
Understands the solar system and Earth's place in space, models complex natural systems.
As a Social Being
Analyzes character traits in historical and contemporary figures, engages in civic action.
As a Creative Thinker
Visualizes abstract concepts and creates representations, innovates across disciplines.
As a Physical Being
Develops and implements personal fitness plans, understands body systems.
As a Digital Citizen
Evaluates search results for relevance and credibility, manages digital identity.
Ready for Middle School: demonstrates academic skills at or above grade level, shows readiness for multiple teachers, and approaches new challenges with confidence.
6th–8th
The Systems Thinker
A systems thinker who sees connections between disciplines, navigates complexity, and develops authentic expertise.
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Through middle school, our graduate develops the ability to think in systems — understanding how parts relate to wholes, how actions have cascading consequences, and how knowledge from one domain illuminates another. They navigate the social complexity of adolescence while deepening their intellectual and creative identity.
As a Learner
Manages complex projects across weeks, identifies personal strengths and growth areas, and advocates for their learning needs.
As a Communicator
Crafts arguments supported by evidence from multiple sources, adapts register for different contexts.
As a Mathematician
Applies algebraic reasoning, models real-world situations quantitatively, and thinks statistically.
As a Scientist
Designs rigorous investigations, evaluates competing scientific explanations, and understands science as a process.
As a Social Being
Navigates identity development, understands systemic inequity, and engages in community beyond school.
As a Creative Thinker
Develops personal creative voice, takes artistic risks, and connects creative work to larger ideas.
As a Physical Being
Maintains lifelong wellness habits, understands mental health, and makes informed health decisions.
As a Digital Citizen
Creates sophisticated digital content, understands algorithmic influence, and practices ethical digital citizenship.
Ready for High School: self-directed, intellectually curious, and prepared for the rigor and independence of advanced coursework.
9th–12th
The Global Citizen
A global citizen who thinks critically, communicates clearly, creates boldly, and contributes meaningfully.
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Our graduating senior is ready to navigate the complexity of modern life. They don't just have knowledge — they know how to learn, unlearn, and relearn. They don't just communicate — they persuade, collaborate, and build understanding across difference. They don't just consume — they create, evaluate, and contribute.
As a Learner
Self-directed and metacognitive — designs their own learning paths, seeks challenge, and recovers productively from failure.
As a Communicator
Persuades, narrates, explains, and listens across contexts — adapting voice, medium, and strategy to purpose.
As a Mathematician
Reasons quantitatively about the world — evaluates claims, models complex systems, and makes data-informed decisions.
As a Scientist
Thinks like a scientist in everyday life — questions claims, seeks evidence, and understands the tentative nature of knowledge.
As a Social Being
Engages ethically across difference, participates in democracy, and contributes to communities both local and global.
As a Creative Thinker
Brings original vision to complex problems, synthesizes across domains, and creates work that matters.
As a Physical Being
Maintains holistic wellness independently, makes informed health decisions, and advocates for community health.
As a Digital Citizen
Navigates digital landscapes critically, creates ethically, and understands technology's role in society.
Ready for Life: equipped to think critically, communicate clearly, create boldly, and contribute meaningfully to communities both local and global.