Summer 2015: Innovation Not a Renovation – COMPLETED

As a result of the generosity of our school community, the summer of 2015 brought about some of the most revolutionary changes to Mount Vernon’s Founders Campus. Completing the final phase of the Innovation not a Renovation project meant completing four exciting projects for our students.
Studio (i): The hallway in the Activities Building from the lobby to the Media Center has been transformed into Studio (i). A place for inquiry, innovation, and impact to develop, Studio (i) is a suite where STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) experiences collide and thrive. The former Media Center is an “innovation” and “impact” zone for the new iDesign Lab — a unique space for students in grades K-6 to practice design thinking, build deeper muscles in science, technology, and engineering, and to discover the language of coding. Ensuring students also have a place to continue their love of reading, as well as inquire and seek solutions in a quieter space, the School has created the “Inquiry Zone” located in the Education Building. Students will find books and magazines along with comfortable seating areas in the inquiry zone.
 
Playground: The final touches are now being made, on an entirely new playground on the Founders Campus. Utilizing the existing natural landscape, creating a more innovative, nature-based learning experience gives teachers the ability to incorporate multisensory instruction into their day, while reflecting Mount Vernon’s approach to learning, creating, and building. ELC, Preschool and Lower School students will soon be able to wonder and wander discovering forts, sand play areas, a labyrinth, bird houses, a stage, musical fences, art panels, slides, and much more. The playground, built by the Natural Playground Company, will officially open in September.
 

Founders Field: The playfield adjacent to grades 5-6 on the Founders Campus has been updated with a synthetic turf field like the courtyard and Glenn Campus football/soccer/lacrosse field. This space, now called the Founders Field, allows older students on the Founders Campus to thoroughly enjoy recess, PE, and athletic practices.
 

Fellowship Hall: The cafeteria underwent a major transformation. Updated flooring, paint, window treatments, stage curtain, ceiling tiles, and partition wall coverings now provide a warm, welcoming space for current and prospective families attending performances, open houses and eating lunch with children.