First day of school: September 3, 2008

7th Grade Orientation:
August 28, 2008

Preparations for the 2008-09 school year are nearing an end and soon we'll be opening our doors to nearly 5,800 students from all walks of life. Making a positive difference in the lives of every Mount Vernon student is our charge and defines our work, individually and collectively, each day of the upcoming year.

To assist in preparing for the first day of school, please take a look at the following links:

2008-09 School Year Calendar

School Supply Lists

Free and Reduced Lunch Forms

First Day of School Tips

25 Tips to Get Involved in Your Child's Education

Centennial Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School

LaVenture Middle School

Lincoln Elementary School

Little Mountain Elementary School

Madison Elementary School

Mount Baker Middle School

Mount Vernon High School

Washington Elementary School

"Healthy Youth Survey" Coming In October

This fall, Mount Vernon School District students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 and across Washington State will be asked to complete a Healthy Youth Survey. The survey asks questions that are related to students' increased risk of injury, poor health outcomes, and alcohol and drug use. Survey results are used by schools, communities and the state and local health departments to plan programs to support our youth and reduce their risks. The survey is scheduled for the week of October 13-17, 2008.

Student participation is completely voluntary and anonymous and the administration procedures are designed to protect student privacy and anonymity. Students are not asked for their names or identification numbers when they complete the survey.

Additional information about the Healthy Youth Survey 2008 can be found at the following web sites: http://www.hys.wa.gov/ and www3.doh.wa.gov/hys. To opt out of participation in the survey, please contact your student's school.

State ACT scores among nation's best

For the fifth straight year, Washington state students scored far above the national average on the ACT exam, according to results recently released.

Washington students in the Class of 2008 tied for third with New York and New Hampshire, finishing only behind Massachusetts and Connecticut on the ACT, which measures college readiness.

This year, one out of every six seniors (11,951) took the ACT in the 2007-08 school year, a record for ACT participation in Washington. Those students averaged a composite score of 23.1, compared to the national average of 21.1. A composite score consists of four content areas: English, reading, math and science.

For a more detailed picture of Washington student scores, click here.

School District news on TV-10

Join us for the Mount Vernon School District TV show, Focus on Learning, as we explore school-related issues, instructional programs and important community partnerships. Focus on Learning airs at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on channel TV-10.