Mount Vernon City School District, Mount Vernon, New York

Mount Vernon City School District's new academic vision involved creating three theme-based high schools, including one for arts. Challenge: Mount Vernon City School District, an urban system on New York City's northern border, has suffered through years of academic and structural neglect, causing low graduation rates disparities in access to learning.

Mount Vernon Students Receive Free Smartphones, Internet From Sprint

Several hundred Mount Vernon students-in-need will soon have access to high-speed Internet and smart devices through a collaborative effort with Sprint. The Mount Vernon School District will provide 300 students with devices and free high-speed Internet access through Sprint's "1Million Project," a give year program that seeks to provide that access to one million students across the country, "giving them the resources they need to achieve their full academic potential."

Mount Vernon School Officials Outline ‘High Schools Of Choice’

As part of Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's "20/20 Vision," the district has announced an update regarding its "three schools of choice." Hamilton began a true rebuild of the school in 2016, following the approval of a "historic" $108 million bond referendum by taxpayers which is allowing for an overhaul of infrastructure and a transition from a traditional "K-8" education model that will emphasize early childhood.

Board Of Regents Rejects Proposed Second Mount Vernon Charter School

Earlier this year, education officials proposed the creation of Granville Academy Charter School in Mount Vernon, which would have served as many as 300 middle school students This week, after reviewing the proposal submitted by Deborah Woods, the Board of Regents rejected those hopeful of bringing a second charter school to the city. In October, the Mount Vernon School District held a public meeting on the charter application proposed by Granville Academy Charter School, which saw residents divided on whether they needed additional education options.

Board Of Regents Rejects Proposed Second Mount Vernon Charter School

Earlier this year, education officials proposed the creation of Granville Academy Charter School in Mount Vernon, which would have served as many as 300 middle school students This week, after reviewing the proposal submitted by Deborah Woods, the Board of Regents rejected those hopeful of bringing a second charter school to the city. In October, the Mount Vernon School District held a public meeting on the charter application proposed by Granville Academy Charter School, which saw residents divided on whether they needed additional education options.

Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent’s Contract Extended For ’20/20 Vision’

Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton has been given an extra year to continue his transformation of the district after signing an extension to stay at the helm. The Mount Vernon School Board approved a one-year extension for Hamilton this week, which will retain his services in the city through August 2022, giving him more time to implement his "20/20 Vision" for the school district.

Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent’s Contract Extended For ’20/20 Vision’

Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton has been given an extra year to continue his transformation of the district after signing an extension to stay at the helm. The Mount Vernon School Board approved a one-year extension for Hamilton this week, which will retain his services in the city through August 2022, giving him more time to implement his "20/20 Vision" for the school district.

Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent Honored At Classroom Naming Dedication

The prominent Mount Vernon organization has found a way to honor the man who was largely responsible for bringing pre-school education opportunities to the city's children. The Friendship Worship Center honored School Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton, in "recognition of commitment to early childhood education and student success," and his "ongoing commitment to begin the process of ensuring student success by starting the education process at an early age.

Mount Vernon Students Shining Under Schools Superintendent

Students in Mount Vernon continue to see marked improvements on state tests as the school district continues to improve under Schools Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton. The State Education Department released the results of this year's Common Core tests , with proficiency rising in the ELA from 37.9 percent to 39.8 percent and the statewide combined math proficiency score rising from 39.1 percent to 40.2 percent .

Wyclef Jean Leads Mount Vernon ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Superintendent Summit

Led by guest speaker Wyclef Jean, 100 students in Mount Vernon got a glimpse into the future with some of the city's dignitaries at School Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's "Summit on My Brother's Keeper." Last year, Mount Vernon became the second Westchester County municipality - behind its neighbors in New Rochelle - to accept former President Barack Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" challenge, which is designed to increase and improve opportunities for youth, specifically minorities, in cities throughout the country.

Community Raises $10,000 for Reading Challenge

Both a book fair and fundraiser were held at Barnes & Noble of Eastchester this month, generating $10,202.14 for the Superintendent's Reading Challenge of the Mount Vernon City School District. "The school district has an outstanding partner in Barnes & Noble of Eastchester for the Superintendent's Reading Challenge Fundraiser," said Board of Education Trustee Darcy Miller.

Superintendent’s Reading Challenge Fundraiser Scheduled At B&N Eastchester

The Mount Vernon City School District and the Mount Vernon PTA Council will host the Superintendent's Reading Challenge Fundraiser on Monday, March 13, at Barnes & Noble of Eastchester in the Vernon Hills Shopping Center in Scarsdale. Tickets are $75 per person in advance and $100 per person at the door.

Mount Vernon Voters Overwhelmingly Approve District’s Newest ’20/20′ Vision

Mount Vernon residents overwhelmingly approved the school district's plan to "repurpose" Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's "20/20 Vision" to accommodate anticipated student population growth in the city. With student population expected to swell in upcoming years, additions have been proposed for several elementary school buildings, and land acquisition and building changes required public approval.

Principal: NY girl killed by stray bullet was ‘shining star’

A "shining star" was lost when a 13-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet while riding home from basketball practice, a suburban New York principal said Tuesday. Graham Elementary School Principal Natasha Hunter-McGregor told the Journal News that Mount Vernon eighth-grader Shamoya McKenzie , who was shot in the head Saturday afternoon, was an excellent student, athlete and role model.

Westchester Guidance Center Official Gains Recognition For Helping Youths

Officials with The Guidance Center of Westchester are celebrating the selection of Daniel Bonnet, director of the Center for College and Careers, as a recipient of a 2016 Milli Award for his work with high school students in the New Rochelle and Mount Vernon areas to further their education and job skills. Bonnet is one of several young professionals from Westchester and Fairfield counties to be recognized with a Milli Award from Westfair Communications , parent company of the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals.

Three Westchester School Districts Report Chronic Absenteeism

The data, pulled from a federal report, shows that Mount Vernon, Yonkers and Peekskill have students who are chronically absent, said lohud.com. Mount Vernon reported an absenteeism rate of 33.3 percent, Yonkers was 24.9 percent and Peekskill reported 30 percent, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights that was examined by the Westchester Children's Association, added lohud.com.

Halloween’s Coming Early To Hartley Park In Mount Vernon Saturday

Mount Vernon is set to get a little spooky this weekend, as the city gears up for the first annual Pumpkin Blaze. Halloween is coming to Hartley Park beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday night, where Mayor Richard Thomas will host the first-ever Pumpkin Blaze, complete with hundreds of glowing pumpkins that have been carved by Mount Vernon children in recent weeks.

Mount Vernon Board Of Education Authorizes Lawsuit Against City Over PILOTs

The Mount Vernon Board of Education is set to file a lawsuit against the city as they seek a one-year moratorium on PILOT agreements involving the development of residential properties within the district. Last month , citing a rise in multi-family homes and school district employment, the Board requested that the city put an end to payment in lieu of taxes - more commonly known as PILOT - agreements with housing developers within district limits.