Author: sroyal

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Posts by sroyal

Curiosity in Action: Inside Mount Vernon’s New Portfolio Mentorship Course

When you step into Mr. Ibanez’s new Upper School Portfolio Mentorship course, you don’t find students following a standard syllabus; you find them following their passions. The course, introduced for the first time this year, is part of Mount Vernon’s Inquiry Pathway, a signature Upper School program that gives students the freedom to explore their…

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Mustangs in Training: Building Confidence, Connection, and Community

At Mount Vernon, athletics is more than competition—it’s connection, growth, and belonging. That vision takes root earlier than most people realize, thanks to Mustangs in Training (MIT), a Lower School athletics initiative designed to give students an opportunity to explore, play, and discover their passions while building meaningful relationships with Middle and Upper School student-athletes…

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Building Young Scientists: How Lower School Expeditions Spark Curiosity and Connection

For Lower School Science teacher Eileen Fennelly, the outdoors is more than a classroom extension—it’s a catalyst for deeper learning, self-regulation, and community connection. This year, she has launched a series of grade-specific recurring expeditions designed to immerse students in Atlanta’s parks while cultivating their skills as scientists, observers, and problem-solvers. “I’ve wanted to create…

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Iterating Toward Purpose: The Intentional Design of the Grade 8 Summit

Each spring, Mount Vernon Grade 8 students take part in one of the most transformative milestones of their Middle School years: the Grade 8 Summit. While Grade 5 students launch their Journey of Purpose by hiking Kennesaw Mountain and drafting their first purpose statements, Grade 8 students return to this work with more maturity, perspective,…

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Student Interns Powering Campus Collaboration

At Mount Vernon, learning is not confined to textbooks or classrooms—it is designed with purpose, for people. Our students are taught to ask questions, uncover needs, and create solutions that make experiences better. This is the heart of design thinking: designing for the user. That mindset is alive this MOD as Upper School students step…

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Future Surgeons in Training: Anatomy Students Go Hands-On with Robotic Surgery

When students in Mr. Hawkins’ Anatomy: Surgery & Salad class stepped into Intuitive Surgical earlier this month, they weren’t just on an expedition — they were stepping into the future of medicine. The course title itself gives context to their learning journey: “Surgery” represents the exploration of the body’s systems and functions, while “Salad” symbolizes…

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Lower Campus Curriculum Mornings

Designing Strong Foundations Through Content, Context, and Care Last week, Mount Vernon welcomed families into the heart of our Lower Campus classrooms for Curriculum Mornings, an opportunity to experience what makes learning here so innovative, engaging, and deeply personal. Each session was thoughtfully led by Shelley Searcy, Head of Lower Campus; Kate Canady, Director of…

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Rapid Response, Real Relationships: A New Standard in School Security

At Mount Vernon School, safety is more than a protocol; it’s a culture built on relationships, trust, and foresight. In recent years, the School has developed a security model unlike any other in Sandy Springs, one that thrives on the strength of its connections. Under the leadership of Director of Safety and Security Russ Malsnee,…

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Belonging First: The Foundation of Learning at Mount Vernon

At Mount Vernon, innovation begins with people at the center. Every design choice, from curriculum to community spaces, is rooted in empathy. Our goal is to create a culture of belonging where students feel valued, seen, and empowered. When belonging is present, learning does not just happen; it thrives. Research consistently shows that when students…

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Designing a Better World: The Class of 2025 Leads with Purpose

For the first time in Mount Vernon’s history, Commencement was truly a global event. On Saturday, May 17, as the Mount Vernon community gathered in Atlanta to celebrate the graduating Class of 2025, families and friends around the world were able to participate in the ceremony—thanks to a live-stream broadcast designed to connect the entire…

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