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Mount Vernon Ventures plays a crucial role in enriching educational experiences at our school, providing access to cutting-edge research, tools, and strategies that shape how our students learn and grow. As a research and educational consultancy, Ventures not only enhances the School’s resources but also generates non-tuition revenue, helping to support the long-term sustainability of the School. By delivering professional development opportunities, proprietary learning tools, and valuable insights, Ventures extends its impact beyond the classroom, benefiting the entire Mount Vernon community.

Quarterly R&D Reports: Keeping Mount Vernon Ahead

To keep Mount Vernon at the forefront of educational innovation, Ventures produces quarterly R&D reports that explore the drivers, trends, and forces shaping the education sector. These reports synthesize extensive research, highlight implications for our teachers, and offer recommendations that guide the School’s strategic initiatives. By staying on top of emerging educational trends, Ventures ensures that our teachers, students, and families are prepared to navigate a rapidly changing landscape.

Recently, the latest futures report received coverage on NBOA.org, a national platform supporting independent schools and their leaders. Titled “Using Future Studies to Cope with Top Challenges,” the article highlights how Mount Vernon’s approach to futures literacy positions the School as a leader in scenario planning among independent schools. The report showcases how Ventures helps the School strategically prepare for various possible futures, ensuring that Mount Vernon remains agile and ready to seize opportunities for transformative growth.

Spotlight on Innovation: “Little Learners with Big Ideas”

One notable example of Ventures’ impact is the development of Little Learners with Big Ideas: A Field Guide for Design Thinking. This practical tool was created last year through a collaborative effort between Molly Hudson, Director of Lower School, and Kevin Day, Middle School Impact Design Lab teacher. The guide was designed to empower young students to engage in design thinking, a powerful framework that emphasizes empathy, prototyping, and feedback as core problem-solving skills.

The Little Learners guide features a series of visual thinking routines and activities tailored to early learners, making complex design concepts accessible and engaging for students in Preschool and Lower School. “The Field Guide has made a significant difference in how our students approach problem-solving,” said Molly Hudson. “It takes abstract ideas and translates them into fun, age-appropriate activities that encourage creativity and critical thinking.”

Supporting Diverse Learners

In an effort to make the tool more accessible, the Little Learners guide was translated into Spanish, allowing the school to extend its reach and impact within multilingual communities. This aligns with Mount Vernon’s commitment to inclusivity and broadening access to innovative educational practices. Kevin Day, who helped develop the guide, noted, “It’s exciting to see our young students using these tools to think critically about the world and solve real problems. By starting this process early, we prepare them to succeed in our signature programs, like the Impact Design Lab, as they continue through school.”

The Value of Ventures’ Work for Mount Vernon Families

The ongoing work of Mount Vernon Ventures directly enhances the experiences of our students and families by integrating the latest research into the school’s practices. Quarterly R&D reports, innovative tools like the Little Learners guide, and targeted professional development for educators all contribute to a learning environment that is adaptable, forward-thinking, and uniquely equipped to prepare students for the future. Ventures’ focus on scenario planning and futures literacy provides Mount Vernon with a strategic advantage, enabling the school to anticipate challenges and leverage opportunities for continuous improvement.

Shaping the Future of Education

Mount Vernon Ventures does more than just support Mount Vernon School—it plays a role in transforming education on a broader scale. By sharing its findings and resources with the educational community at large, Ventures influences the way other schools approach learning and prepares for the future.

To learn more about the latest R&D reports, including the recent futures report featured on NBOA.org, or to explore the Little Learners with Big Ideas guide, visit the Mount Vernon Ventures website. Through its innovative work, Ventures empowers our educators and students to navigate uncertainty with confidence and shape a better future for all.

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