With great pride and excitement, we present the Portrait of a Graduate for Cherry Hill Public Schools (CHPS). This vision is the culmination of a collaborative effort shaped by the voices of our community through meaningful conversations and survey feedback from students, staff, parents, alumni, and community members during the 2024-2025 school year. The Portrait of a Graduate reflects our shared hopes and expectations, establishing a unified vision of what it means to prepare our students for success both in their academic pursuits and in life beyond their time with CHPS.
At the heart of the Cherry Hill Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate are the foundational attributes of Global Citizenship and Critical Thinking, which form the basis for all other essential characteristics. These attributes strengthen and empower the full range of qualities we aim for our students to develop. As critical thinkers, they will approach challenges with determination, adaptability, and integrity, using their skills to solve problems and make thoughtful decisions. As global citizens, they will embrace open-mindedness, demonstrate empathy, and advocate for themselves and others to create a stronger, more connected Cherry Hill Public Schools community. Together, these qualities ensure our students are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing and dynamic future.
Our Core Values are the fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that define who we are in Cherry Hill Public Schools. They represent the standards that we uphold as an organization.
Our Portrait of a Graduate is a clear, future-focused vision of the characteristics and mindsets students will develop during their educational journey.
Rooted in the community’s aspirations, it defines the key attributes students will acquire during their time in Cherry Hill Public Schools
ensuring that they graduate with the skills needed for success.
CHPS graduates will champion fairness by advocating for their own needs and the needs of others. They’ll work to ensure everyone has access to the resources and opportunities required to succeed, recognizing and respecting individual differences. By speaking up and taking action, they’ll help create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
Definition: CHPS graduates will stand up for themselves and others, ensuring everyone has access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. They’ll focus on fairness while acknowledging and respecting differences with the goal of creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all.
What will students do?
· Identify and articulate their own needs and the needs of others.
· Seek out and utilize resources to support success for themselves and their peers.
· Actively promote fairness in their school and community.
· Collaborate with others to create inclusive environments where everyone has the tools to thrive.
CHPS graduates will embrace personal growth by understanding and accepting others. They’ll value the unique perspectives, experiences, and stories that shape their community, recognizing that variety strengthens us all. With curiosity and respect, they’ll foster a culture of appreciation and mutual understanding.
Definition: CHPS graduates will grow as individuals by understanding and accepting others. They’ll value the unique experiences, perspectives, and stories that make up their community, recognizing that variety strengthens us all.
What will students do?
· Stay curious and open to learning from others’ perspectives.
· Make others feel welcomed, appreciated, and valued.
· Reflect on their own biases and work to overcome them.
· Celebrate the variety of their peers and build a culture of respect.
CHPS graduates will connect with others through active listening, compassion, and kindness. By appreciating different perspectives, they’ll build meaningful relationships and contribute positively to their communities. Their ability to understand and support others will make them caring and impactful individuals.
Definition: CHPS graduates will listen with care, understand others, and show compassion. By appreciating different perspectives, they’ll build meaningful connections, treat others with kindness, and contribute positively to their communities.
What will students do?
· Listen actively to understand how others feel and think.
· Show kindness and compassion in their words and actions.
· Build strong, respectful relationships with those around them.
· Take thoughtful actions to support and uplift their peers and community.
CHPS graduates will act with honesty and accountability, guided by their moral compass. They’ll make ethical decisions, stand up for what’s right, and take responsibility for their actions. Their commitment to doing the right thing will inspire trust and respect in their school and community.
Definition: CHPS graduates will do what’s right, even when no one is watching. They’ll act with honesty, follow their moral compass, and stand up for their beliefs with courage and accountability.
What will students do?
· Make choices that are fair, honest, and respectful.
· Take responsibility for their actions and own their mistakes.
· Stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
· Be role models for ethical behavior in their school and community.
CHPS graduates will demonstrate resilience and perseverance, staying focused and positive in the face of challenges. They’ll view setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, always striving for success with purpose and optimism. Their determination will inspire others to keep moving forward.
Definition: CHPS graduates will show resilience and perseverance, staying positive and focused no matter the challenges they face. They’ll see setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, always moving forward with purpose.
What will students do?
· Set meaningful goals and work hard to achieve them.
· Learn from challenges and use them to grow stronger.
· Stay positive and keep going, even when things get tough.
· Inspire others to stay determined and focused on success.
CHPS graduates will connect with others through active listening, compassion, and kindness. By appreciating different perspectives, they’ll build meaningful relationships and contribute positively to their communities. Their ability to understand and support others will make them caring and impactful individuals.
Definition: CHPS graduates will embrace setbacks with optimism and hope, adjusting to new situations and challenges with confidence. They’ll stay flexible, learn from experiences, and grow in both their learning and relationships.
What will students do?
· Approach new situations with a positive attitude.
· Adjust their strategies and actions to meet changing needs.
· Learn from setbacks and adapt to keep moving forward.
· Help others navigate change and build a culture of resilience.