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/

Mission Statement

Mount Vernon Community School is a positive learning environment where dedicated staff, students, and families actively engage in and provide meaningful educational experiences that allow for extended learning and language acquisition in English and Spanish.

School Faculty

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

Demographics

Enrollment (as of 9/2012): 774 students
Average class size: 22

  • African American: 7%
  • Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian: 1%
  • Hispanic: 58%
  • White: 33%
  • Unspecified: 1%

Instructional Program

Language Arts

Reading: Using the Success For All (SFA) Reading Program, students will receive 90 minutes of daily reading instruction. SFA is a research-proven program that is a whole school improvement approach that helps every child succeed in school. Students will be grouped according to their reading level for the 90 minute reading block. SFA will be our instructional approach to implementing the ACPS Reading Guidelines.

Writing: Students receive daily writing instruction using the ACPS curriculum as a guide and The Teachers College Writing (TCW) Program as a resource.

Mathematics

Using the ACPS Curriculum as a guide and Every Day Math as a resource, students receive 75 minutes of mathematic instruction daily. The approach to math is the Plan, Do, Study, Act, (PDSA) cycle for continuous improvement. This model is researched-based and has been proven to be one of the best strategies used by schools to ensure continuous student improvement. Students' math levels are monitored and tested at different points throughout the school year using different assessment tools.

Science

Students receive daily science instruction taught using the ACPS curriculum and the FOSS science kits. New this year at Mount Vernon is a science lab where teachers and students under the guidance of the science coach will conduct experiments and scientific investigations. Students are tested on their science knowledge by taking a Science SOL in both 3rd and 5th grade.

Social Studies

Students receive social studies instruction that follows the ACPS Curriculum. Students learn to think and act globally and to apply higher order thinking skills to solve real life situations. Students take a Social Studies SOL in both 3rd and 4th grade.

Encore

  • All students take part in art, music, library and physical education as part of the ENCORE rotation
  • The classes are all 45 minutes each
  • Art, music and library meet once a week
  • Physical education meets twice a week

Instrumental Music

In fourth and fifth grades, students have the option of joining either the band or orchestra.

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.

Other School Programs

  • Safety Patrols
  • Student Council Association

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.