for Preschool through Lower School Arrives Fall 2026

At Mount Vernon, learning begins long before students enter a classroom. The Frontier, the school’s intentionally designed natural play environment, is a cornerstone of the Lower Campus experience. Designed to invite children to wonder, wander, and grow, the Frontier supports development physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Now, after years of research, student-driven design, and expert collaboration, Mount Vernon is poised to unveil its most ambitious Frontier yet, an expanded, reimagined space opening in Fall 2026.

“For us, play is learning,” says Kate Canady, Director of Preschool. “The Frontier is a living expression of developmentally appropriate practice and Mount Vernon’s belief in growing the whole child. This natural playground is where research-backed learning comes to life. Where children move their bodies, take meaningful risks, solve real problems, and develop socially and emotionally. Everything about The Frontier is designed with intention: how children explore, how they collaborate, and how they begin to see themselves as capable, confident leaders of their own learning.”

Unlike traditional playgrounds, The Frontier embraces uneven terrain, natural textures, loose parts, and open-ended structures. These elements encourage what educators call “calculated risk-taking”, or opportunities for children to test limits, build resilience, and problem-solve independently. “When children climb, balance, dig, or build without step-by-step directions, they develop body awareness, confidence, and self-trust,” Canady explains. “Those same skills translate directly to the classroom.”

The design of The Frontier has always centered around student voice. A few years ago, PK5 students, now in Grade 3, helped reimagine parts of the space and presented their ideas to school leadership. “We wanted more places to build and pretend,” George H. recalls.

More recently, Grade 10 Innovation Diploma (iD) students have spent the past two years observing preschoolers at play, interviewing teachers and students, consulting experts in playground design and child development, researching the philosophy of natural playgrounds, and prototyping new concepts. Their work has directly influenced the New Frontier’s design. “Knowing that our design decisions would directly shape how younger students play, learn, and move made the work feel real in a new way,” shares iD student Sophia Molinari. “Seeing the impact we could have pushed us to work harder, think more carefully, and stretch ourselves as designers.”

After years of temporary constraints, the New Frontier represents not just a return, but a significant expansion of possibilities. At 26,236 square feet, nearly 0.6 acres, the new space will be the largest Frontier Mount Vernon has ever offered. For perspective, the original Frontier measured 21,425 square feet, and during road construction, that footprint was reduced to just 11,248 square feet. The fall 2026 expansion more than doubles the space children have had in recent years and exceeds the original design by nearly 5,000 square feet. Molly Hudson, Head of the Lower School, shared, “I am especially excited for our opportunities for our older students to have opportunities to increase our play options beyond the field, courtyard, and pocket of play.” Final design plans and installation will be led by David Barclift and Barclift Associates, bringing both design expertise and deep institutional knowledge to the project. A former Chairman of the Mount Vernon Board of Trustees, David is joined by his son Robert, an MV alumnus (Class of 2012), further grounding the New Frontier in the school’s past, present, and future.

The expanded Frontier will not only be larger than ever before, but also accessible to more children, expanding the range of learners from 18 months through Grade 5, with play experiences that grow progressively more challenging. The new Frontier has something intentionally designed for every Lower Campus student. Planned features include willow huts for imaginative play, a bamboo forest for building and exploration, water and mud kitchens, climbing and hanging structures, spinning and bouncing elements, a performance stage and reading nook, and natural materials reclaimed from the original site.

“What excites me most is how intentionally The Frontier is designed to build collaboration and communication,” says Canady. “Rather than competition, this space invites children to work together, problem-solve collectively, and develop confidence through shared experiences.”

As Mount Vernon looks ahead to Fall 2026, the New Frontier represents more than an expansion; it’s a living example of the school’s belief that joyful, purposeful learning begins with curiosity, movement, and trust in children’s capabilities. It also reinforces Mount Vernon’s deep commitment to early childhood excellence, aligning with the highest standards and setting a foundation for learning that continues through Grade 12.