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DWSA Auditorium entrance
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The Billboard - What You Need to Know

No Place
For HAte

Denzel Washington School of the Arts has been designated as a No Place for Hate School. 

No Place for Hate an ADL Education Program

 

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Mount Vernon Recreation Department’s Summer Basketball Clinic: July 6 to August 14 at MVHS

Mount Vernon Recreation Department’s Summer Basketball Clinic: July 6 to August 14 at Mount Vernon High School. Sessions are 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clinic is open to ages 6 to 16 and costs $100 per week or $550 for all 6 weeks. You can sign up at the City Hall Recreation Department, by scanning the QR code, or by clicking here.

Read More about Mount Vernon Recreation Department’s Summer Basketball Clinic: July 6 to August 14 at MVHS
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Scales of Justice Application - Due June 30, 2026

The Scales of Justice Academy Program is accepting applications online until June 30, 2026. The Scales of Justice Academy is a two-week, in-person legal educational program held at Fordham University School of Law, 150 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023, from July 20 to July 31, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no fee to participate. The program provides underserved high school young women with early life skills and meaningful exposure to law and legal studies in a real law school environment — equipping participants with the knowledge and foundation they need to succeed academically and pursue future careers in the law. Click here to access/download the application.

Read More about Scales of Justice Application - Due June 30, 2026
DWSA 2026 Graduation Ceremonies, Middle School Step-Up Ceremony, Monday, June 22 at 1:00pm & High School Graduation, Wednesday, June 24 at 1pm
DWSA 2026 Graduation Ceremonies, Middle School Step-Up Ceremony, Monday, June 22 at 1:00pm & High School Graduation, Wednesday, June 24 at 1pm
  • DWSA 2026 Graduation Ceremonies,
  • Middle School Step-Up Ceremony, Monday, June 22 at 1:00pm &
  • High School Graduation, Wednesday, June 24 at 1pm

Phylicia Rashad Auditorium at Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Read More about DWSA 2026 Graduation Ceremonies, Middle School Step-Up Ceremony, Monday, June 22 at 1:00pm & High School Graduation, Wednesday, June 24 at 1pm
Mount Vernon City School District Summer Programs July 6 to July 30: Enrichment Camp (Grades K-6 and Grades 7-8) July 6 to August 14: Extended School Year (ESY) August 3 to August 13: Bridge Programs (Grade 9) July 6 to August 13: High School Credit Recovery & Regents Prep August 18 to August 19: New York State Regents Exams
Save the Date: MVCSD Summer Programs

The Mount Vernon City School District is pleased to announce that this summer, we will be hosting a Summer Enrichment Camp from July 6 -July 30 for our students in grades K-8. Your input is important to helping us plan the summer program.  Please answer the survey here and spread the word to other parents.  The survey will be available until the end of the day on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Read More about Save the Date: MVCSD Summer Programs
UPKRegistrationLottery20263 (PDF)
Pre-K 4 Early Registration and Pre-K 3 Lottery to open now!

Pre-K 4 early registration and the Pre-K 3 lottery application for the 2026-2027 school year are open now! Pre-K 4 Early Registration will be open from March 2 to June 19, 2026. The Pre-K 3 lottery will be open March 1 to June 19, 2026. 

The online registration page can be found here. To schedule an appointment, click here. For more information, call 914-665-5077.

Read More about Pre-K 4 Early Registration and Pre-K 3 Lottery to open now!

see The PRC

The Parent Resource Center is a place for parents, students and families to receive support. Click the link below for more information! 

Parent Resource Center

School News

 

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A group of young people stand on a stage holding certificates in front of a red curtain, with a wooden podium and a speaker to the left.
DWSA celebrates Class of 2026 at Senior Awards Convocation

The Denzel Washington School of the Arts proudly celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during its Senior Awards Convocation on June 12. Students were recognized for academic achievement, leadership, service, artistic excellence, athletic participation, scholarship attainment and perseverance.

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Superintendent meets with community members to address budget questions and clarify financial information

Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland met with community members Wednesday evening, discussing the revised 2026-27 budget and dispelling rumors regarding District finances.  

To find answers to frequently asked community questions, you can visit our FAQ at https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/departments/business-finance/frequently-asked-questions  

The revote for the budget will be held on Tuesday, June 16, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find your polling place at https://lh.findmypollplace.com/MtVernonCSD/  

In the foreground, a group of young people are gathered around a table, while the background shows a kitchen setting with the text "COMMUNITY QUESTION" and "What happens when the 2nd budget vote results in a 'No' vote?".
Community Financial Question: What happens if the 2nd budget vote results in a “No” vote?

If the budget is voted down a second time, the Board of Education must adopt a contingency budget for the next school year. 

Under a contingency budget: 

  • The district’s tax levy is very limited, typically staying at or below last year’s level, with no increase allowed for things like inflation or other adjustments. 

  • The district must make additional cuts to balance the budget. 

  • Some non-essential spending is restricted, such as certain equipment purchases.

In the foreground, a group of young people are gathered around a table, while the background shows a kitchen setting with ovens and other students.
Community Financial Question: Why is there a 2nd vote on the budget?

A second vote is required when the proposed school budget is not approved by voters on the first vote. 

By law, the Board of Education has two options after a failed vote: 

  • Present the same budget again, or 

  • Revise the budget and present an updated proposal 

The district chose to hold a second vote to give the community another opportunity to consider a budget that reflects feedback and adjustments made after the first vote. 

If the budget is not approved on the second vote, the district must adopt a contingency budget, and the budget cannot go back to voters again.

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DWSA Building Entrance wit banner over door
Mark Jaikaran, STEAM senior, 2025

I love how STEAM is an interactive school. It's not like they just read stuff off the boards to you, they make you interact with your environment and peers. That's one of the best parts of the school.

Mark Jaikaran, Mount Vernon STEAM Academy senior, 2025

Prosper Ibeto, MVHS senior, 2025

I am so thankful to God and to the District for everything. Shout out to all the students out there. Keep believing in yourself because you never know what you can do until you do it.

Prosper Ibeto, Mount Vernon High School senior, 2025

Elizabeth deGrandpre, DWSA 2025 salutatorian

Thanks to all of my Denzel teachers, new and old. You have inspired me to want to become a teacher myself and share my love of math with students.

Elizabeth deGrandpre, Denzel Washington School of the Arts salutatorian, 2025

Charlotte Watson, Denzel Washington School of the Arts valedictorian, 2025

We've all heard the saying, ‘it takes a village,’ and well, we are the product of our village. All of this could not have been made possible without my village, I know that for a fact.

Charlotte Watson, Denzel Washington School of the Arts valedictorian, 2025

Alexia Angel​​​​​​​, Benjamin Turner Academy

I love being at BTA because I love my Teacher Assistant, Ms. Johnson and my ELA teacher, Ms. Odindo. They are hard on me and push me to do my best.

Alexia Angel, Benjamin Turner Academy

Morgan Bowen, Edward Williams School

My teacher Mrs. Creighton makes school fun. With all the teachers, principals and AP they do fun stuff.

Morgan Bowen, Edward Williams School

Raven "Madison" Arce-Harris, Cecil H. Parker School 

If you follow your dreams, they will come true.  When I first came to this school, it was hard.  Now I'm doing better with my work and making friends.

Raven "Madison" Arce-Harris, Cecil H. Parker School

Hillary Vallecillo, Lincoln School

I like Lincoln because all the teachers care about their students, not just about their classes but also about how the students feel. It is important for students to feel confident and happy in their own skin.

Hillary Vallecillo, Lincoln School

Alistair Bell, Traphagen School 

Everyone knows everyone. It’s like a family here at Traphagen.

Alistair Bell, Traphagen School

Amelia Toppin, Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School

l like NMHZ School because we do fun activities in my class. My teacher taught me cursive handwriting. I am learning multiplication and I like when we made an array of sunshine showing different arrays. I love my new teacher because she makes me understand what I am learning.

Amelia Toppin, Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School

Amanda Outen, Denzel Washington School of the Arts

DWSA has really helped me to reach my potential or at least helped me to see my true potential as an actor. I can use this experience to develop my public speaking skills so I can eventually use my voice to change the world.

Amanda Outen, Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Timari Jenkins, Benjamin Turner Academy

“We are learning to code the robot to play tug-of-war against another robot. My favorite part of this program so far is driving the robot.”  

Timari Jenkins, Benjamin Turner Middle School

Dylan Taylor, Graham School 

My school is special because the teachers slow down and help you if you need help.

Dylan Taylor, Graham School

Skylar Savariau, Parker School 

I do band lesson and I'm getting better at it. 

Skylar Savariau, Parker School

Emily Galindo, MV STEAM Academy

We are strongly encouraged by teachers and the staff to work hard and try our best with all the work we do.

Emily Galindo, MV STEAM Academy

Vera Wreh, Mount Vernon Honor Academy

My journey here at the Mount Vernon Honor Academy has been an amazing thrill for my education. Being able to be offered wonderful opportunities like participation in the National Junior Honor Society has really made me grateful. I am proud I have made it this far. Thank you MVHA!

Vera Wreh, Mount Vernon Honor Academy
 

Tristan Paul, Edward Williams School

I like that my school has a drumline. I have a chance to practice doing something that I LOVE!!

Tristan Paul, Edward Williams School

Eliana Dewar, Traphagen School 

I like the preps because I get to learn different things about art, music, PE, and media. In every activity, I learn more and more about music and art. I learn about abstract art, how to play the ukulele, how to play basketball, and poems.

Eliana Dewar, Traphagen School

Naomi Hooks, Mandela/Zollicoffer School 

What makes my school special is that some of the staff have great qualities to have the students look up to them.

Naomi Hooks, Mandela/Zollicoffer School

Kimberly Munguia, Lincoln School

Lincoln is a great school for learning and making friends. The teachers are amazing at their jobs and help give you so many opportunities to get ahead in life.

Kimberly Munguia, Lincoln School

Lily Cudjoe, Graham School 

My school provides us programs to help us, like African dance, the Boys Club, and My Sister’s place.

Lily Cudjoe, Graham School