In classrooms today, educators face a challenge that extends beyond academic content: preparing students with the future-ready skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Skills like collaboration, adaptability, self-awareness, belonging, and agency are increasingly recognized as essential for both learning and life.
Research shows that programs like Wayfinder improve student attitudes and behaviors and lead to stronger academic outcomes. That’s where Waypoints, Wayfinder’s student growth assessment tool, comes in.
Waypoints is a practical K-12 skills assessment suite that helps schools measure behavioral, emotional, and future-ready skills while supporting educators in tailoring instruction.
Rather than just another test, Waypoints is designed to serve as a compass:
In districts across the US, Waypoints is already helping schools measure student collaboration, adaptability, and purpose while creating a stronger sense of community and positive school culture.
Waypoints focuses on six durable skills that support lifelong success:
Educators often feel that data collection is disconnected from the heart of teaching. However, we know that embedding fundamental human skill development into academic instruction fosters more positive classroom climates and deeper engagement. Waypoints connects data back to teaching by embedding future-ready skills assessment directly into classroom practice. Help educators understand the Why behind Waypoints by helping them meaningfully connect it to their daily practice.
Practical ways to integrate Waypoints into daily teaching include:
Data becomes more meaningful when paired with stories, and teachers can be powerful advocates when their successes are highlighted. Recognizing educators as “data champions” in staff meetings or newsletters creates a culture where using Waypoints becomes a point of pride. This aligns with research showing that teacher collaboration and recognition are key drivers of sustained instructional improvement. Schools can celebrate educators who lean into Waypoints by:
“Wayfinder curriculum is comprehensive and teacher-friendly. It takes a lot of the burden off of the teacher, administrator, or counselor because it’s all done for you. It’s just easy to implement.”
— Tiffany Vega-Dermody, Assistant Principal
Schools and districts have found success by embedding Waypoints into existing structures:
Traditional assessments often feel like judgment. Waypoints flips that narrative. Instead of being evaluated for correctness, students see evidence of growth in the skills that matter most to their futures. Giving learners space to reflect on their development of human skills like adaptability, belonging, or empathy fosters stronger self-awareness—a skill shown to predict better emotional regulation and academic outcomes.
Research from the American Psychological Association confirms that growth-oriented feedback increases student motivation and ownership of learning.
Students say it best:
— Stephen, Grade 9
When schools use Waypoints intentionally, the result is a powerful shift:
A: Waypoints is Wayfinder’s future-ready skills assessment suite for PreK–12 schools. It helps students reflect on skills like adaptability, collaboration, and purpose while giving teachers actionable data.
A: Schools can measure future-ready skills by using tools like Waypoints, embedding reflections into routines, and integrating data insights into professional learning and classroom practice.
A: Research shows that students who feel a sense of belonging are more engaged, more resilient, and achieve stronger academic outcomes. Waypoints data helps schools systematically measure and strengthen future-ready skills, belonging, and purpose.