Mount Vernon Community School

Mount Vernon Community School

Grades K - 5
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.

2601 Commonwealth Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22305
Phone: 703-706-4460
Fax: 703-706-4466
Map + Directions

Principal:
Peter Balas

Web Page:
www.acps.k12.va.us/mtvernon/

Introduction

The philosophy of our staff is to provide an educational program which fosters the total development of our children. We envision the Mount Vernon Community School as a center for educational growth. The school supports families in promoting the intellectual, social, emotional, cultural, and physical development of all students. Each student develops the potential to contribute positively to society while effectively pursuing individual life goals. Families, the community and the school share collective responsibility to educate our students. Together we define expectations, provide inspiration, share and nurture talents. Our community provides continuous support and resources to achieve excellence and equity.

We believe that we should recognize the unique characteristics of each child and provide a program of basics and enrichment which will enable each child to reach the highest potential. All children must have the opportunity to meet success while they learn to recognize their own strengths and needs, as well as those of others. We strongly believe that all children must be taught to understand, appreciate and celebrate their culture and heritage as well as that of their fellow students. Children must be able to function as informed citizens, confident that they can contribute to the world in which they live.

School Faculty

Number of Licensed Staff: 51
With post-graduate degrees: 80%

Demographics

Enrollment (as of 9/2011): 713 students
Average class size: 22

  • African American: 8%
  • Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian: 1%
  • Hispanic: 57%
  • White: 33%
  • Unspecified: 1%

Meal Program

Alexandria students may receive free or reduced priced meals if their family income meets eligibility requirements. For more information on our meal programs, visit the Food and Nutrition Services section of our Web site.

Academic Curriculum

English (language arts): The goals of English/language arts education are to teach students to read and to prepare them to participate in society as literate citizens, equipped with the ability to communicate effectively in their communities. Children develop skills in oral language, reading/literature, writing, and research.

Science: Our program stresses the use of basic science skills to explore common materials, objects, and living things. Goals of the science program include:

  • developing and using an experimental design in scientific inquiry
  • investigating phenomena using technology
  • applying scientific concepts, skills, and processes to everyday experiences
  • experiencing the richness and excitement of scientific discovery of the natural world
  • explore science-related careers and interests
  • Students in grades 4 and 5 will receive science instruction and integrated mathematics enrichment from a science teacher specialist on two days per week for 75 minutes. Teachers in Kindergarten through Grade 5 will use the Full Option Science System (F.O.S.S.) a hands-on, integrated science curriculum.

Mathematics: Students today require stronger mathematical knowledge and skills to pursue higher education, to compete in a technologically oriented work-force, and to be informed citizens. Our program develops students' understanding of quantitative concepts and relationships as well as proficiency in basic computations. The content is intended to support the following four goals for students:

  • to make mathematical problem-solvers
  • to communicate mathematically
  • to reason mathematically
  • to make mathematical connections

History and Social Science: The study of history and the social sciences is vital in a democratic society. All students need to know and understand our national heritage in order to become informed participants in shaping our nation's future. Our program is designed to:

  • develop the knowledge and skills of history, geography, civics, and economics that enable students to place the people, ideas, and events that have shaped our state and our nation in perspective
  • prepare students for informed and responsible citizenship

Curriculum and Related Services

  • Art - All students receive weekly instruction from an art specialist. For children who have special talent in art, a special art class is available.
  • Dual Language Program - program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade that will give them the advantage of literacy in both Spanish and English.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) - Classes are provided as the enrollment of ESL students indicates a need. We provide special services for children from a great diversity of linguistic backgrounds using a push in and/or pull out model.
  • Music - Children have classroom music weekly with a vocal music teacher. Instrumental music classes, band and orchestra are available for children in grades 4-5.
  • Physical Education - PE specialists teach all children twice each week. The classroom teacher conducts organized physical activities on other days.
  • Reading - Reading specialists assist in the management and coordination of the classroom reading program and provide instruction and modeling on a regular basis.
  • Breakthrough to Literacy is currently used by all teachers in kindergarten. This program assists students in learning to read and contains systematic skills and strategies using sequentially-leveled books in computerized learning modules.
  • R.E.D. Alert Reading Program (acronym=read every day) - a program developed by Mount Vernon teachers is implemented on a one-on-one basis with identified students in grades 1 and 2. Teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff and volunteers conduct tutoring sessions for a 30 minute period three days per week
  • Reading Recovery training is provided for selected staff by the Title 1/Reading Recovery Lead Teacher. In addition, strategies similar to those emphasized in the Reading Recovery program are used in classrooms by teachers given staff development by the lead teacher. A series of Curriculum Breakfasts to train primary teachers in guided reading strategies are being held. The Reading Recovery Lead Teacher and Reading Teacher are conducting these training sessions.

Other School Programs

  • Safety Patrols
  • Student Council Association

Tutoring and Volunteers

An after-school program is in place to provide a continuum of academic support for identified students in grades 3-5. The Fast Track program will include a Homework Center, tutoring opportunities, and structured skills activities provided by teachers. Further, our Wednesday evening tutoring program provides support to students in grades 3-5.

A corps of volunteers from the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium and other community volunteers are deployed during the school day at least three days per week to work in classrooms and with individual students in grades K-2. The focus of their work will be individualized lessons using leveled reading books. All tutors will have been trained in the appropriate use of these materials. Support and ongoing training is provided for volunteers by school staff led by the school's volunteer coordinator.

Parental Involvement

Excellent participation at our annual Back-to-School Night and increased attendance at PTA meetings show us that the community is committed to working with us. We will provide parents a list of school activities in which they can become involved. We continue our outreach to families by providing translators for parent conferences, issuing the annual Family Handbook in English and Spanish, translating school newsletters into Spanish, and providing a variety of services using the parents' primary language.

Special Events

  • African American History Month/Celebration
  • American Education Week
  • Back-to-School Night
  • Book Fair
  • Disabilities Awareness Month
  • Hispanic Heritage Month/CelebrationMulticultural Dinner
  • Winter and Spring Concerts

Mount Vernon Community School is fully accredited. To learn more, review the Virginia School Report Card (PDF) on the Virginia Department of Education Web site or review recent Test Scores.