Self Expression through Street Art How do you capture the attention of fifth graders in their final year of Lower School? For Art Teacher Ms. Dianne Johnson, the answer was simple: create something bold, meaningful, and hands-on. Partnering with Ms. Tahtinen, Lower School Maker Teacher, they launched a multi-week Street Art and Maker Studio collaboration…
Read More from Grade 5 Street Art Project: Learning the Art behind the Art
At Mount Vernon, the way we teach is designed to support every learner, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and confidence through hands-on, inquiry-based experiences. This approach not only benefits all students but also naturally aligns with the strengths of dyslexic learners, who thrive in environments that value innovation, collaboration, and big-picture thinking. Through our growing partnership with…
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…
Read More from Curiosity in Action: Inside Mount Vernon’s New Portfolio Mentorship Course
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…
Read More from Mustangs in Training: Building Confidence, Connection, and Community
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…
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,…
Read More from Iterating Toward Purpose: The Intentional Design of the Grade 8 Summit
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…
Read More from Student Interns Powering Campus Collaboration
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…
Read More from Future Surgeons in Training: Anatomy Students Go Hands-On with Robotic Surgery
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…
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,…
Read More from Rapid Response, Real Relationships: A New Standard in School Security