XCS Portrait of a Graduate
The Portrait of a Graduate defines the key skills and mindsets that students will develop over the course of their academica career at Xenia Community Schools. These six traits help define what it means for our students to be ready for the world:
Empathy
XCS students notice and respect other people’s feelings, treat them with kindness and respect, and use this understanding to build meaningful connections.
Learner’s Mindset
XCS students will be curious learners who are always eager to learn new things. They will embrace challenges, try new approaches, and stay open to growth with each experience.
Perseverance
XCS students understand that failure is a natural part of the learning process as they persevere through adversity, learn from mistakes, and use setbacks as opportunities to grow stronger as they strive to reach their goals.
Responsibility
XCS students own their choices, stay accountable, and contribute positively to their community and the people around them.
Critical Thinking
XCS students think critically by questioning information, evaluating evidence, considering multiple perspectives and developing reasoned solutions in real-life situations.
Communication
XCS students communicate effectively by listening attentively, articulating thoughts clearly, and using appropriate nonverbal communication skills to adapt their message for different situations and audiences to build understanding and collaboration.
XCS Strategic Plan
Destination 2030: Every Student, Future-Ready serves as a clear and focused roadmap for our district. It outlines the priorities and commitments we’re making to students, staff, families, and the broader Xenia community — all centered on academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility.
XCS will foster an environment of academic excellence by strengthening teaching and learning practices, supporting student engagement, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement that prepares students for success in the 21st century workforce.
# | Objectives | Strategies |
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1A | By Spring of 2026, XCS will create a high-quality curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices roadmap for all subject areas in grades PreK-12. |
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1B | By Spring of 2027, XCS will integrate Portrait of a Graduate competencies in all PreK-12 academic content areas to prepare 100% of our students for college, the workforce, or the military. |
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1C | From 2026-2029, XCS will demonstrate continuous progress toward closing educational gaps as measured by the “Gap Closing” indicator on the Ohio State Report Card. |
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XCS will align all district operating systems to support schools of quality and character.
# | Objectives | Strategies |
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2A | By Spring 2026, develop and implement a comprehensive, cross-departmental Internal Responsibility Plan to manage operational logistics. |
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2B | Align 100% of purchasing decisions to established District goals and objectives. |
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2C | Implement a facilities management plan that aligns with District goals and objectives for students, and prioritizes the creation and maintenance of safe and secure spaces in all facilities. |
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XCS will champion a culture that attracts, develops, and retains effective staff who are willing to take risks, build relationships, and create a positive learning environment for student success.
# | Objectives | Strategies |
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3A | By Spring 2026, create a Portrait of a Xenia Community Schools Educator that aligns high expectations for teachers with the mission and vision of the district. |
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3B | Develop a comprehensive system for staff mentoring and leadership development with a strong focus on supporting all staff during their first three years with the district. |
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3C | Develop and implement a comprehensive hiring, onboarding, and evaluation strategy that supports the recruitment and retention of high quality staff. |
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XCS will actively engage families in their child’s learning process through support, communication, and outreach to build credibility and trust. XCS will also help parents and families become active partners in their child’s education as the students develop the key competencies in the district's Portrait of a Graduate, with a focus on involvement, advocacy, and student success.
# | Objectives | Strategies |
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4A | Actively engage XCS families to create a collaborative and open culture that welcomes feedback, keeps parents & families informed, and helps them connect with school staff in support of student success. |
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4B | Actively engage students and build positive relationships by creating a positive school climate that sets high expectations for students in an environment that is welcoming, motivating, nurturing, and respectful. |
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4C | Actively engage the wider Xenia community, building strong connections through storytelling, partnerships, and collaborative efforts in support of student success. |
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The Xenia Community Schools Board of Education will be a professional, fiscally responsible, and responsive board in service of Xenia families. It will follow best practices and use established organizational norms, training, and data to create positive outcomes for students as they develop the competencies delineated in the Portrait of a Graduate.
# | Objectives | Strategies |
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5A | Enhance Board Member Knowledge and Capacity |
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5B | Improve Board-Community Engagement and Transparency |
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5C | Ensure Effective and Ethical Board Operations |
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Keep track of the district’s progress on each of the five goals presented in the strategic plan through the online tracker.