New high schools of choice offer pathways for college or career to students across the District
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (September 18, 2018) — The beginning of a new school year is always a time of change and transition; a new start that brings with it excitement and fresh possibilities. But the start of the 2018-2019 school year in the Mount Vernon City School District is uniquely different from years past. For the first time, students in the upper grades are enrolled in one of three academies of choice.
“We really are making history,” said Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. “It’s hard to see the change when you’re amidst the change, but believe me when I tell you, we are doing some extraordinary things in Mount Vernon. All of our high schools of choice provide opportunities for students to try different pathways to career or college. When students follow their passions, learning comes more naturally and organically promotes academic success.”
The Mount Vernon Performing and Visual Arts Magnet School is one of three high schools of choice in the District. Led by Principal Evelyn Collins, the program provides focused instruction in instrumental music, dance, theater, vocal music and visual arts, similar to that of a college conservatory for students in grades 6-10. Admitted students complete intensive theoretical, historical and practical study in a specified art field, in addition to their general education requirements of New York State.
Seventh graders Jade McNeil and Amaiya Sutherland both have a passion for dance and are thrilled to be able to pursue that passion daily.
“I express my emotions through dance. It helps me show who I really am,” said McNeil.
“I’m looking forward to getting stronger in dancing and keeping my grades up in every class,” Sutherland added.
The new Mount Vernon STEAM Academy emphasizes a curriculum of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Students are able to focus on specialty areas that include art, architecture, engineering, web design, robotics and energy systems while fulfilling New York State graduation requirements.
Abbey-Gayle Kely is excited about beginning eighth grade at the STEAM Academy. She loves the arts and may want to pursue a career in science.
“This school will give us an advanced opportunity to learn,” said Kely. “I want to be a doctor or a lawyer one day so I can help people. This school will prepare me for that.”
The Mount Vernon High School continues to provide a rigorous and comprehensive high school curriculum featuring a heavy emphasis on humanities, career and technical programs. Students can elect a career technical education (CTE) program with specializations in cosmetics, automotive technology, barbering, CISCO networking, culinary, nursing, TV production, photography, dental, animation and print production.
“Our partner academies are infusing performing arts and STEAM into their curriculums,” said Ronald Gonzalez, Principal at The Mount Vernon High School. “And we, at The Mount Vernon High School, get to move on the continuum as a premier high school, preparing our students for college and careers with our career and technical education programs aligned to pathways, and deepen our instructional delivery through a focus on avid readiness, and now, the implementation of the International Baccalaureate diploma program.”
The new academic year kicked off on Tuesday, September 4, for faculty and staff when they gathered at The Mount Vernon High School auditorium for the District’s annual Convocation Day.
The event’s keynote speaker was Warren Berger, author of The Book of Beautiful Questions and A More Beautiful Question, as well as the creator of the popular blog AMoreBeautifulQuestion.com. His thought-provoking presentation centered around the power of inquiry and how the District’s teachers and administrators can use inquiry to tackle challenges both inside and out of the classroom. He stressed the importance of creating a safe and rewarding space for students to ask questions, helping to enlarge their questions, furthering their curiosity and fostering their inquisitive natures.
Filled with high spirits and equipped with the tools to encourage their students to be better questioners, teachers welcomed students back to their classrooms on Wednesday, September 5.
About Mount Vernon City School District
With more than 8,000 students in 16 schools, the Mount Vernon City School District is committed to providing a quality education to its children as well as developing programs that meet the diverse academic and social needs of its students.
