Over the course of their Pomfret education, students earn “competencies” — think of them as credits — based on the seven essential skills of the Portrait of the Pomfret Graduate. Within this framework, competencies are broken down into two categories: foundational competencies, which we expect most students to master, and advanced competencies, which allow students to demonstrate their unique passions and interests as they grow and mature. To earn a competency, a student must submit evidence of their learning. Each piece of evidence is independently evaluated by a member or members of the faculty. Once enough evidence has been provided, the student receives the competency.
The Pomfret Learning Record is a digital, interactive document that provides a framework for students to track their progress as they accumulate competencies. The top layer is an easy-to-digest snapshot of all the foundational and advanced competencies a student has earned to date. The bottom layer consists of a robust student-curated portfolio, or what we call “evidence of learning.” Pomfret students upload “evidence” of the competencies they have earned along the way, including tangible work samples associated with the skills they have developed.
When it’s time to apply to college, a student can share their learning record with college admission officers as a supplement to their official Pomfret transcript. In this context, the learning record becomes an invaluable marker that differentiates your student from all the other highly qualified candidates in the pool. The Learning Record does not replace Pomfret’s official transcript and students are not required to submit it.
Applicants with Learning Records have been accepted at hundreds of top-tier colleges and universities, including Harvard, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, Cornell, Mount Holyoke, and The University of Chicago, to name just a few. Colleges appreciate receiving this supplemental information because it reflects important qualities that are impossible to capture using a standard transcript alone. This gives college readers a clearer and more holistic picture of the student’s achievements, capabilities, and interests.
