An Interview with the Designers of the Impact Design Lab “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” – Albert Einstein We sat down for an insightful conversation with the three educational designers innovating the way students learn in the Middle School. We dove deep into how Impact…
From neuroscience in Grade 4, the landscape of Georgia 230 Million years ago in Grade 2, and optimizing Santa’s sleigh for inclement weather in Kindergarten, the Lower School has been buzzing with student wonders and rich conversations with MVXperts. Last week Santa traveled from the North Pole to help Kindergarten students with their weather-resistant sleigh…
How Might We Foster Connection Across Campuses? For many years Mount Vernon has had an end-of-year tradition known as the Senior Salute, where on the eve of baccalaureate, graduating seniors dressed in their caps and gowns parade through the Lower Campus to cheers and high fives from younger Mustangs. Starting in August, as a way…
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What if students could choose what they learned about? What if students could explore their passions and curiosities at school? What if students could be in collaborative groups with teachers and students with similar interests? What if we entrusted them to befriend how they learn, to navigate certain questions on their own, and to find…
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Grade 5 is starting the year with a Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit on playground design. Have you or your child ever seen a playground and wondered why it was built the way it was or how it could be improved? This unit encourages students to ask those same questions but this time with the intention…
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This story was contributed by Brad Droke, Director of Innovation Diploma and was featured in the Spring 2022 SAIS Newsletter. In the spring of 2014, Mount Vernon Ventures at The Mount Vernon School hosted an event called the Council on Innovation, where several groups of students were assembled to engage in a design sprint with local…
At Mount Vernon, we’re always exploring innovative ways to inspire and engage our students, which is why the recent visit from acclaimed Atlanta artist Brandon Sadler was nothing short of transformative. As part of our Visiting Artists program, thoughtfully arranged by Mariana Depetris, Sadler stepped into our Upper School’s print-making class and instantly connected with…
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At Mount Vernon, the learning journey is defined by impactful experiences that shape not only a learner’s academic life but also their identity and sense of purpose. The Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 11 Impact Summits are three moments within this journey, offering learners the opportunity to explore, reflect, and present their work in…
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This year’s cardboard challenge in the Lower School emerged as an exploration of engineering concepts. Starting with questions, students in Kindergarten through fifth grade were asked: “How might we reduce the number of eggs broken in a carton? Can we design a better carton to protect our eggs?” Their mission was to craft break-free cartons….
Spanish Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich and diverse cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Mount Vernon’s celebration honoring Spanish heritage has evolved into a multi-faceted and collaborative effort spanning grade levels and disciplines. Last year, the School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of smaller activities, including…
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