Portrait of a Ventana Graduate

Ventana’s program encourages students to stretch themselves academically while also developing their social-emotional toolkit.  

Ventana graduates know the power of their voice. They have the confidence to express themselves, and they believe in the power of their ideas to enact change in the world. They have learned how to share their ideas in an informed and respectful way that opens dialogue and facilitates empathy, communal growth, shared understanding, and progress. In addition to self-advocacy, they have also learned how to advocate for others, seek out different perspectives, and create space for new or marginalized voices. 

Reflective and self-aware, our graduates have a strong sense of self and understand how to use reflective practices to better understand their own learning process, their emotions, and the world around them. 

Ventana graduates are critical thinkers who are able to evaluate the veracity of information. They have built strong foundations in reading, writing, and math that enable them to make cross-curricular connections and engage in high-level analytical thinking. They are adept at looking at problems from multiple angles, thinking creatively and flexibly, whether they are solving a complex math problem, discussing character motivation, or trying to understand a social issue. 

Collaborative and communicative, Ventana students know how to share their thinking, listen to others, and build consensus amongst a diverse group of individuals. They exercise empathy, look for common ground, evaluate what perspectives are missing, and seek innovative solutions. 

Curious about the world around them, Ventana graduates find joy in the process of learning, exercise a growth mindset when encountering challenges, and never lose their sense of wonder.