One of the most concrete ways the Mount Vernon community lives out its mission is through the development and implementation of the Mount Vernon Mind. These relevant and research-based mindsets position students for college, career and citizenship–in other words– for life.

The mindsets are the outcome of the School’s comprehensive study conducted to inform Mount Vernon’s 2012-2017 strategic plan, iPlan17. One of our largest influences was Tony Wagner’s bestselling book, The Global Achievement Gap. In it, Wagner emphasizes the importance of students learning a set of essential skills to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.

At Mount Vernon we infuse the mindsets throughout all of our teaching and learning.

Solution Seeker: one who formulates meaningful questions, inquires, evaluates,
synthesizes, and discerns cross-disciplinary knowledge and perspectives. Additionally he/she sets goals, develops a plan of action, and tests solutions

Ethical-Decision Maker: exhibits integrity, honesty, empathy, fairness, and respect, demonstrates personal, social, and civic responsibility, and develops understanding of emerging ethical issues regarding new technologies

Communicator: listens attentively, speaks effectively, and writes clearly, understands and expresses ideas with a variety of audiences, media, and formats, and cultivates interpersonal skills

Creative Thinker: challenges assumptions, suspends judgments, imagines, improvises, and adapts as new challenges and opportunities arise

Innovator: explores and experiments in a climate of change, builds resilience through risk-taking and setbacks, and creates unique ideas/products with value and meaning

Collaborator: builds strong partnerships within a diverse team, teaches, coaches, and leads others by example. One also accepts feedback, implements decisions, and shares the credit