Students in grades two through four described how the district’s newly adopted Wit & Wisdom English-language-arts curriculum helps them read closely, discuss ideas and write with more detail, Hermosa Beach City School District officials said Wednesday.

The presentations at the Dec. 10 board meeting featured second- through fourth-graders who explained how art, Socratic seminars and complex texts — including a biography of Jacques Cousteau — deepen their understanding. "I like Wit and Wisdom because it is fun to learn about new things," a second-grader told trustees.

The board used the student presentations to introduce a district "learner profile," a task-force product that lays out five competencies school leaders want every student to develop: critical thinker, empathic citizen, compassionate learner, resilient mindset and self-advocate. "All students are empowered to achieve and thrive," the presentation said, which board leaders identified as the district vision the profile supports.

Superintendent Dr. Susan Wilds (presentation lead) told the board the profile grew from work with staff, parents and students and will be shared with teachers and families beginning immediately. Staff said the profile will be taught through classroom routines, explicit language for students and by aligning instruction across grade levels.

Board members praised the students’ public-speaking skills and the district’s rollout. President Jen Cole told the students they had "a 10 out of 10" performance, and several trustees urged staff to use the district’s work as an example statewide.

The district said the learner profile will be communicated in staff meetings and family outreach and that student council members will help translate competencies for younger grades. No formal policy vote was required; the presentation established implementation plans and next steps.

The board’s meeting packet and staff comments noted that the new language-arts curriculum and the learner profile are part of a multi-year adoption and that the district is in its first full adoption year. Officials said they expect the work to mature over time as younger cohorts progress through the grades.