Education is a shared responsibility among students, staff, families, and community. We want all students to become independent, life long learners. As part of our responsibility, we strive to prepare every student for a smooth transition into next phase of life after high school. That next step after high school may look different for each student. Some students may choose to attend post-secondary education in a four-year college, a two-year college, or a technical or trade school. Others may choose to go directly into the workforce or enter the military.

Each day, week, and month of the school year from kindergarten to graduation is a building block towards the desired result. Regardless of the age or grade level, there is a common focus in our schools. It is the commitment of District 145 - Waverly to prepare each student for that transition into becoming a successful adult and member of society.

To accomplish this, our district has identified seven essential outcomes we believe all students need to be successful throughout life. These themes are embedded in the curriculum for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. By graduation, students should have fully mastered these skills, which will help prepare for a transition to life after high school. 

These Essential Outcomes will provide a pathway for success for the 21st Century, and help students make the transition into the next phase of their lives.

Students in District 145 will be:

Confident Learners
•Recognize, discover and pursue opportunities for success
•Set personal goals that are challenging yet attainable
•Are independent and believe they are capable
•Take risks and learn from mistakes

Collaborators
•Are willing to work with others towards a common goal
•Are respectful, positive, flexible, supportive of others

Communicators
•Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively in a variety of forms (oral, written, and
nonverbal)
•Provide constructive feedback in appropriate context
•Listen actively and with purpose
•Respect the perspectives of others

Problem Solvers
•See problems as an opportunity to expand learning
•Use various processes to find reasonable and justifiable solutions
•Recognize that there are a variety of ways to solve a problem

Critical Thinkers
•Analyze information, ideas, and possibilities to develop a point of view, infer, draw
conclusions and make predictions
•Use evidence and reasoning to guide decision making.
•Use prior knowledge and new knowledge to apply what they've learned in new
ways.

Creative Thinkers
•Synthesize existing and new knowledge to create unique solutions
•Generate, develop and test new ideas

Independent and Responsible Citizens
•Build strong values and have actions reflect those values
•Apply the principles of democracy
•Take action to contribute positively to the local, national, and/or global community

Board of Education approval at the June 4, 2013 meeting.