We are making great progress with the implementation of the 20/20 Vision.  Our District is undergoing significant improvements including increased rigor, improved student achievement and enhancing facilities to accommodate a world class education for our students.

You will see the first significant roll out of Phase 1 of the 20/20 Vision in September 2018.

To begin, the following schools will offer full-day prekindergarten at the following sites:

• Columbus School
• Williams School
• Graham School
• Holmes School
• Mount Vernon High School
• Parker School
• Pennington School
• Rebecca Turner School (Special Education only)
• Traphagen School

Please be sure to check the district website for student registration information (www.mtvernoncsd.org).  These deadlines are very important in order to ensure your child’s full day, Pre-K slot.

Additionally, we will roll out the introduction of three theme-based high schools:

• A. B. Davis will be a STEAM High School, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
• Mount Vernon High School(CTE Career and Technical Education High School). In addition to a comprehensive, general education course of study, students will be able to select a career pathway in one of the following areas:
• Cosmetology
• CISCO
• Graphic Arts
• Auto Mechanics
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Barbering
• Photography
• TV Production
• Information Technology
  
  The leadership team has begun the application process to include an IB (International Baccalaureate) course of study.

• Thornton High Schoolwill open as the Performing Arts Magnet School with a concentration on fine and performing arts. Thornton High School will not be accepting new 9^thgrade students unless they are already in the Magnet Program.  Current 10^thgrade and 11^thgraders at Thornton High School will complete their high school experience at Thornton High School. 

We will begin the reconfiguration of all elementary schools.  This will occur in three phases:

• Phase 1: September 1, 2018
• Students who are currently in the 6^thgrade at Columbus School, Grimes School, Holmes School, Lincoln School, and Parker School will remain in their home school for 7^thgrade in 2018-2019.
• Current 6^thgraders at Traphagen School will go to Pennington School for 7^thgrade in the 2018-2019 school year.
• Current 6^thgraders at Hamilton School and Williams School will go to Benjamin Turner Middle School for 7^thgrade in the 2018-2019 school year.
• Graham School and Pennington School will continue as PreK-8 schools.
• Rebecca Turner School (PreK-5) and Benjamin Turner Middle School (Gr. 6-8) will continue as campus schools.
• Phase 2: September 2019
• Students who are currently 5^thgraders in Hamilton School, Traphagen School, Williams School will remain in their home school zones for 7^th
• Students who are in the 7^thgrade in September 2019 at Grimes School, Lincoln School, Columbus School, Holmes School, and Parker School will remain at their home school zone for 8^th *This is contingent on the Pennington School addition being completed at which time some neighborhoods may be redistricted.  Redistricting means your current home school zone could be changed in order to accommodate for adequate space for students to complete PreK-8 in their neighborhood schools.

Please note: Phase 2is subject to further review, as there are some unknown variables that may impact the timeline (e.g., building readiness, NY State approvals, etc.).  These variables may result in further modifications on an as-needed basis.

• Phase 3: September 2020
• The school building currently known as Mandela/Zollicoffer High School will be converted to a new elementary school.
• At this time, a city-wide redistricting will occur to ensure that all schools are able to accommodate the district reconfiguration to PreK-8 schools.

There are many moving parts to this massive, district transformation.  Construction will occur in and/or around essentially all of our schools and this may cause some inconvenience.

I hope that you will be patient through these growing pains as we create a new Mount Vernon City School District.  You will find the district website and Facebook page to be a great source of information for pivotal updates on the implementation of the 20/20 Vision.

Please anticipate communication from your respective school principal regarding specifics to your neighborhood school.

In closing, your support on the 20/20 Vision and the school uniform policy is sincerely appreciated. 

Yours for the sake of all children,

Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton
Superintendent of Schools