Coxsackie-Athens is Positioned to Implement Recently Approved NYS Portrait of a Graduate Attributes; Preparing All Students for Life, Career, and College
The New York State Education Department’s recent adoption of the Portrait of a Graduate marks a pivotal moment in public education—one that reaffirms the importance of preparing students not only academically, but also socially, emotionally, and civically. The Portrait of a Graduate outlines a shared statewide vision of what every student should know and be able to do upon graduation—emphasizing adaptability, innovation, collaboration, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.
At Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, this vision is already alive in our classrooms, our community partnerships, and our commitment to redefining what it means to be ready. Our work is grounded in five core principles that align powerfully with the New York State Portrait of a Graduate. Together, these frameworks affirm our commitment to whole-child education and preparing students for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
We begin with student-centered learning, ensuring each learner has voice, choice, and meaningful challenge. Through experiences like elementary STEM programming, CASH (our student help desk), and service learning, students grow as creative innovators, solving real problems and discovering new passions. Our focus on The New Basics—resilience, collaboration, financial literacy, and critical thinking—ensures students are academically prepared and equipped with the skills to adapt and thrive in a world that is constantly changing.
We invest in exceptional educators who model reflective growth and foster strong student relationships. In doing so, we build a culture where students grow as critical thinkers, effective communicators, and reflective, future-focused individuals. We also know readiness is not built in isolation—our partnerships with families, businesses, and civic leaders give students authentic opportunities to lead, contribute, and develop as global citizens who understand the power of community and responsibility.
Most importantly, we measure what matters. Our C-A Readiness Dashboard tracks not just academic indicators like GPA, Algebra II completion, and college credit, but also attendance, engagement, service to the community, and participation in clubs and extracurricular activities. This holistic view helps us support every student in building the knowledge, mindsets, and social-emotional strengths needed to thrive.
The revised New York State Portrait of a Graduate has given our work greater flexibility, creativity, and relevance—and Coxsackie-Athens is proud to be leading the way. With purpose, partnership, and innovation, we are redefining readiness and preparing our graduates not only for what’s next—but for whatever comes next.