Over the past 15 months, the Virginia Board of Education has been redesigning its public school students' high school educational experience to better prepare them to participate in the global economy. To lay the groundwork for this redesign, the Profile of a Graduate was developed. The profile in turn grew out of a broader review of Virginia's school accreditation standards, where the state's accountability system is set forth. In the midst of economic and workplace change, some things have changed about high school, however subjects and course credits have barely changed at all. Consequently, the board sought to expand its view of high school to encompass more development of skills and abilities. The Profile of a Graduate shows four overlapping areas for student learning and achievement that are essential for the life-ready student: (1) content knowledge based on statewide standards and its application; (2) workplace skills and behaviors that promote productivity, relationship building, and problem solving; (3) understanding of the opportunities within civic organizations for community engagement and civic responsibility; and (4) participation in career exploration, planning, and preparation. Over the course of the summer of 2016, the board held further public hearings and stakeholder roundtables in Manassas, Williamsburg, Abingdon, and Lynchburg to gather feedback on the critical needs of public schools, the proposed Profile of a Graduate and the redesign of high school, changes to the state's accountability system, and board recommendations amending the Standards of Quality. Through the Profile of a Graduate, the Virginia board seeks to ensure that every child who graduates from a public school in Virginia has the knowledge, skills, and attributes and is ready to succeed in life--whether in the military, the world of work, or postsecondary education.