Summer Break 2023

Summer may have seemed tranquil driving by 510 and 471 Mount Vernon Hwy, but behind the scenes faculty and staff were hard at work. Let’s take a look at some of the exciting announcements and happenings that took place during the break.

The Dewey Schools in Vietnam – Partnership Announced

In early July Mount Vernon announced a strategic partnership with The Dewey Schools in Vietnam (TDS). Mount Vernon Ventures, (MVV) the strategy, research, and consulting division of The Mount Vernon School, developed the partnership in 2020. Through the relationship, TDS students have the opportunity to attend The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta for their junior and/or senior year to receive a Mount Vernon School diploma. They can also participate online via Mount Vernon Online to receive a dual diploma from both TDS and MVS.

Aligned with Mount Vernon’s mission to prepare all students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders, the partnership provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff in both countries to increase their global perspective through curriculum development, on-site visits, and opportunities for exchange. The graduating class of 2025 will be the first Mount Vernon class to include a cohort from Vietnam receiving a Mount Vernon School diploma.

This summer Mount Vernon hosted a group of students from TDS as part of the The Dewey School’s Cultural Immersion program. Global Atlanta, a publication devoted to tracking Atlanta’s rise as a center for internal business, education, and culture, covered the partnership announcement. Learn more about this transformative cultural immersion program through Global Atlanta’s coverage.

Elevating Athletic Excellence: XC Nike Running Camp and Cheer at Clemson

This summer our student-athletes dedicated themselves to refining their skills and maintaining peak physical condition. The school’s cross country team participated in the Nike Running Camp at UNC Asheville while the cheer program headed to Clemson to attend UCA Cheerleading camp to elevate their skills on the sidelines. For exceptional opportunities for these dedicated athletes to stay active and sharpen their abilities in preparation for the upcoming seasons.

MV Educators receiving National Recognition

Amanda Exley Lower and Cari Barocas were named two of ten national Grand Prize winners in the Henry Ford Innovation Nation 2023 Teacher Innovator Awards. These awards honor forward-thinking educators who have made extraordinary contributions to their classrooms and communities through innovative teaching practices.

As part of their recognition, Amanda and Cari received a 5-day Innovation Immersion Experience at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. We will talk with both of them and hear about their experiences in a future article…stay tuned!

Design for Belonging: Summer Reading

As champions of intentional design, the entire faculty delved into the profound insights of the Stanford d.school book, Design for Belonging. This compelling read emphasized how design choices can contribute to fostering a culture of inclusivity and connectivity. The School’s commitment to creating an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging was reinforced through this thoughtful exploration. This book along with the new strategic plan, The Impact Ready Project, will be our organizational north star for the year ahead.

The Frontier Upgrade: Empowering Creativity and Innovation

Inspired by research, recommendations, and proposals from the PK5 community a few months ago, the Frontier now boasts an array of exciting new features and resources designed to spark creativity and foster innovation. This upgraded space was celebrated with a ribbon cutting just before the start of school. The upgraded Frontier will offer students the opportunity to explore, experiment, and bring their unique ideas to life.

The summer break at Mount Vernon School was a period of intense activity and progress. From faculty engagement with Design for Belonging to the enriching TDS Cultural Immersion program, the dedication of athletes in sports conditioning, the celebration of exceptional teachers, and the innovation-driven upgrade of The Frontier, every endeavor was centered around one goal: providing an exceptional learning environment for every student at Mount Vernon. As they return to our classrooms, the students will discover a place where their growth, curiosity, and sense of belonging are nurtured and celebrated.