Grossmont Union High School District

Portrait of a Graduate Introduction Video

Portrait of a Graduate

Portrait of a Graduate is a three-year process aimed at transforming our education system to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets they need to thrive as adults—based on what our community values most.

To learn more about Portrait of a Graduate, click here.

Your input is invaluable to us, so please participate today.

Resources & FAQs

Portrait of a Graduate • Introduction and Frequently Asked Questions

The Portrait of a Graduate process is an approach to school systems work that a number of districts across the United States are engaged in. The world of work is changing rapidly, in our own community, nationally, and across the globe. Current careers and skill sets are evolving, and new occupations will continue to emerge over the next 10-15 years.

The purpose of the Portrait of a Graduate process is to engage staff, students, and community at all levels of our district in a process of analysis, reflection, and planning so that we can collectively prepare our students for a successful future.

What does the process consist of?

The Portrait of a Graduate team from the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) supports the district in hosting several gatherings to envision the types of work and career opportunities there could be in the future, and identify what kinds of graduates we want GUHSD students to become over the next 12-15 years of formal education.

To ensure the strategic visioning process is truly representative of the students and communities we serve, we will consistently invite individuals from all parts of the community and all walks of life to participate in the main gatherings that are included within this process. The main gatherings include:

Guiding Coalition Convening #3 - November 14 & 15, 2025
Guiding Coalition Convening #4 - January 30 & 31, 2026

Each Guiding Coalition gathering is followed by a period of community engagement, analysis, and reflection. This community-based envisioning process will result in three portraits: a Portrait of a Graduate and the supporting Adult Portrait and System Portrait. Once a draft of the portraits is created, they are shared several times with the community at large for input. At the end of the process, the three portraits will serve as a district’s “North Star”; guiding instructional, financial, and staffing decisions.

What happens during the Guiding Coalition sessions?

A diverse and representative group of district staff and community members will come together to form the Guiding Coalition. This group will meet three times to share aspirations, envision the future, analyze and synthesize input, and co-create the Portrait of a Graduate, along with the supporting Adult Portrait and System Portrait. Throughout the process, input will be gathered from as many voices across the district and community as possible. This collective data will serve as the foundation for developing all three portraits.

As a parent or community member, how can I participate?

There are several meaningful ways to contribute to the Portrait of a Graduate process, depending on your availability:

Join the Guiding Coaltion

This core group will meet three Friday evenings (4:00–7:00 p.m.) and four full-day Saturdays (9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). Your participation will help shape the development of all three portraits.

Share your perspective through a one-on-one interview

Community members—including parents, residents, business owners, alumni, or former/current GUHSD employees—may be selected to provide input through individual interviews.

Attend a Community Engagement event

These events will offer a chance to review and give feedback on draft versions of the Portrait of a Graduate, Adult Portrait, and System Portrait.

My child is a student in the district. What opportunities to participate do they have?

We are looking for students in grades 9–12 to participate in both Student Focus Groups (one hour) and the Guiding Coalition (three Friday evenings and three Saturdays). If your child is interested in lending their voice to help shape the future of GUHSD, they can contact their principal to express interest in:

Serving as a member of the Guiding Coalition, and/or
Participating in a Student Focus Group

If I want to contribute, what is the time commitment?

There are several ways to get involved in the GUHSD Portrait of a Graduate process, depending on your availability and interest.

If you're unable to serve on the Guiding Coalition, you can still participate during our Community Engagement periods by completing a survey, attending a feedback session, or participating in a 30–35 minute Zoom interview to share your perspective and hopes for GUHSD graduates.

For those interested in a deeper level of involvement, the Guiding Coalition will meet two more times: November 14 & 15, and January 30 & 31. Each session includes a Friday evening (4:00–7:00 p.m.) and a full-day Saturday (9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). Coalition members will help co-create the Portrait of a Graduate, Adult Portrait, and System Portrait, using data gathered from the community and student sessions. Optional “Learning Journey” experiences may also be available for those who wish to participate further.

Interested in contributing? Please CLICK HERE to fill out a short Google Form and let us know your availability. We’d love to have your voice in this important process.

Superintendent’s Messages

To watch click here.

Guiding Coalition Updates

The Guiding Coalition is Bringing the Portrait of a Graduate to Life

Governing Board President Dr. Gary Woods stated, "Portrait of a Graduate, paired with AI implementation and Career Technical Education, will transform learning and empower our students for career success – it is a roadmap that will align our decisions and resources with community values and student aspirations. We are entering a golden age of learning and are committed to becoming a state and national leader."

The Portrait of a Graduate Guiding Coalition serves as the steering committee for the entire process. This group of more than 100 diverse voices – including business and community leaders, District staff, students, and educators – is helping to distill broad community input into clear portraits that reflect our community’s core aspirations.

The Guiding Coalition convened on August 22–23, and the session was a tremendous success. Over two days, members examined thousands of data points gathered through community surveys and input sessions, reflected on the profound insights of recent alumni and current students during panel discussions, and engaged in thoughtful dialogue to begin shaping the community’s vision for the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and mindsets that will prepare our graduates to thrive in 2040 and beyond.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who dedicated their time and energy to this transformational work. Their insight and collaboration are at the heart of creating a Portrait of a Graduate that truly reflects East County’s hopes for the future.

Looking ahead, the next Guiding Coalition session will take place on November 14–15. If you are interested in joining the Guiding Coalition, please click here to RSVP.

Get Involved

If you are interested in joining the Guiding Coalition – please click here to RSVP.

POG Calendar

Calendar

Calendars

POG Calendar

Click Here

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titleGrossmont Union High School District

1100 Murray Drive (PO Box 1043)

El Cajon, CA 92020 (La Mesa CA 91944)

Phone Main(619) 644-8000

If you require the use of telecommunication relay services, dial 7-1-1 to be connected to a specially trained communications assistant.

Grossmont Union High School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability or affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups or any other basis protected by law or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Additional Title IX non-discrimination information
4119.26 BP Employee/Student Interaction Policy
Additional non-discrimination and related policies
Complaint- Uniform Complaint/Other

Title IX Coordinator - Mary Nishikawa, Director I - Student Support Services, 1100 Murray Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020; (619) 644-8012; mnishikawa@guhsd.net
Title II/ADA Coordinator - Paul Dautremont, Assistant Superintendent; 1100 Murray Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020; (619) 644-8041; pdautremont@guhsd.net
Section 504 Coordinator - Lauren Basteyns, Director II / Principal, B.L./Academic Intervention, 1100 Murray Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020; (619) 593-2763; lbasteyns@guhsd.net

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