From the Principal
Andrea M. Thomas
Ms. Andrea M. Thomas joined the Mount Vernon City School District in 2007, as a fourth-grade teacher at Grimes Elementary School. During her tenure at Grimes, she taught third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade. She was also a lead teacher and administrative building substitute.
In 2015 she transferred to the Performing Arts Magnet Program as a sixth-grade teacher, and then became an Assistant Principal of the Program in 2017. In 2018, the Arts Magnet Program moved to the Nellie Thornton High School on 6th Ave, Ms. Thomas became the Assistant Principal for both the Arts Magnet Program and Nellie Thornton High School. She worked in that building until 2022 and was then transferred to Mount Vernon High School as the Assistant Principal of Student Affairs and Activities.
On July 26, 2023, Ms. Thomas was appointed as the principal of Denzel Washington School of the Arts.
Ms. Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Iona University, a master’s degree in education 1 – 6 and another in School Building Leadership from Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, a certificate in Special Education from Mercy College and a certificate in Gifted Education from College of New Rochelle. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.
CONTACT INFO
Andrea M. Thomas
athomas@mtvernoncsd.org
DWSA News
![DWSA Presents ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Jr, THE MUSICAL, Saturday April 11, 2026, 2PM & 6PM, Phylicia Rashad Auditorium, 121 South 6th. Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769802687/mtvernoncsdorg/o3btzhgrx5fiamlkfltb/OnceonanIsland2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769802687/mtvernoncsdorg/o3btzhgrx5fiamlkfltb/OnceonanIsland2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769802687/mtvernoncsdorg/o3btzhgrx5fiamlkfltb/OnceonanIsland2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1769802687/mtvernoncsdorg/o3btzhgrx5fiamlkfltb/OnceonanIsland2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769802687/mtvernoncsdorg/o3btzhgrx5fiamlkfltb/OnceonanIsland2.jpg","width":1294}])
DWSA Presents ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Jr, THE MUSICAL, Saturday April 11, 2026, 2PM & 6PM, Phylicia Rashad Auditorium, 121 South 6th. Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
![DWSA GOSPEL MUSIC NIGHT, Thursday, March 19, 2026, 6:30pm, Phylicia Rashad Auditorium, 121 South 6th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769802369/mtvernoncsdorg/zyxtp2ze3nandfwijgzb/DWSAGospelMusicNight20261.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769802369/mtvernoncsdorg/zyxtp2ze3nandfwijgzb/DWSAGospelMusicNight20261.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769802369/mtvernoncsdorg/zyxtp2ze3nandfwijgzb/DWSAGospelMusicNight20261.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1769802369/mtvernoncsdorg/zyxtp2ze3nandfwijgzb/DWSAGospelMusicNight20261.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769802369/mtvernoncsdorg/zyxtp2ze3nandfwijgzb/DWSAGospelMusicNight20261.jpg","width":1545}])
DWSA GOSPEL MUSIC NIGHT, Thursday, March 19, 2026, 6:30pm, Phylicia Rashad Auditorium, 121 South 6th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY
![Denzel Washington School of the Arts, Auditions & Open House, 2026-2027 School Year, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10am-2pm]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769801913/mtvernoncsdorg/idow6m70ryqj33cxwqbn/auditionscopy2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769801913/mtvernoncsdorg/idow6m70ryqj33cxwqbn/auditionscopy2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769801913/mtvernoncsdorg/idow6m70ryqj33cxwqbn/auditionscopy2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1769801913/mtvernoncsdorg/idow6m70ryqj33cxwqbn/auditionscopy2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1769801913/mtvernoncsdorg/idow6m70ryqj33cxwqbn/auditionscopy2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1769801913/mtvernoncsdorg/idow6m70ryqj33cxwqbn/auditionscopy2.jpg","width":2200}])
Auditions & Open House, 2026-2027 School Year, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10am-2pm
![Shining Knights: DWSA senior Arionna Strong blends artistic passion with academic drive]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768930125/mtvernoncsdorg/dqy4pfrfsfutj62it5ey/ArionnaStrong.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768930125/mtvernoncsdorg/dqy4pfrfsfutj62it5ey/ArionnaStrong.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768930125/mtvernoncsdorg/dqy4pfrfsfutj62it5ey/ArionnaStrong.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1768930125/mtvernoncsdorg/dqy4pfrfsfutj62it5ey/ArionnaStrong.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1768930125/mtvernoncsdorg/dqy4pfrfsfutj62it5ey/ArionnaStrong.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1768930125/mtvernoncsdorg/dqy4pfrfsfutj62it5ey/ArionnaStrong.jpg","width":2200}])
When Arionna Strong, a senior at Denzel Washington School of the Arts presented her team’s research at Mount Sinai headquarters last summer, the moment marked the culmination of months of work and a clear turning point in her academic journey.
![Shining Knights: DWSA senior Matthew Samuels sings on path to legal career]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768502583/mtvernoncsdorg/w1n280i6dbimhx1bfjsk/MatthewSamuels.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768502583/mtvernoncsdorg/w1n280i6dbimhx1bfjsk/MatthewSamuels.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768502583/mtvernoncsdorg/w1n280i6dbimhx1bfjsk/MatthewSamuels.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1768502583/mtvernoncsdorg/w1n280i6dbimhx1bfjsk/MatthewSamuels.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1768502583/mtvernoncsdorg/w1n280i6dbimhx1bfjsk/MatthewSamuels.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1768502583/mtvernoncsdorg/w1n280i6dbimhx1bfjsk/MatthewSamuels.jpg","width":2200}])
On any given week, Denzel Washington School of the Arts senior Matthew Samuels might perform a gospel solo, lift weights and spend late nights studying toward his long-term goal of becoming a federal prosecutor.
![DWSA BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRODUCTION, Friday, February 27, 2026, 12:30pm & 6:30pm, Phylicia Rashad Auditorium, DWSA, 121 South 6th. Ave., Mt. Vernon, NY 10550]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768416755/mtvernoncsdorg/im1keny4jdrv8dlwru6a/DWSABLACKHISTORYMONTHProduction202685x11inQRC.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768416755/mtvernoncsdorg/im1keny4jdrv8dlwru6a/DWSABLACKHISTORYMONTHProduction202685x11inQRC.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768416755/mtvernoncsdorg/im1keny4jdrv8dlwru6a/DWSABLACKHISTORYMONTHProduction202685x11inQRC.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1768416755/mtvernoncsdorg/im1keny4jdrv8dlwru6a/DWSABLACKHISTORYMONTHProduction202685x11inQRC.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768416755/mtvernoncsdorg/im1keny4jdrv8dlwru6a/DWSABLACKHISTORYMONTHProduction202685x11inQRC.jpg","width":1545}])
DWSA BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRODUCTION, Friday, February 27, 2026, 12:30pm & 6:30pm, Phylicia Rashad Auditorium, DWSA, 121 South 6th. Ave., Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
Admission
$15 General Admission
$10 Senior Citizens
$5 Students with ID
![DWSA Picture Day - Viewing Child's Portraits & Pre-Pay Order Form]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1767882224/mtvernoncsdorg/hymletixekib3cotbszc/ViewingPortraitProofs.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1767882224/mtvernoncsdorg/hymletixekib3cotbszc/ViewingPortraitProofs.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1767882224/mtvernoncsdorg/hymletixekib3cotbszc/ViewingPortraitProofs.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1767882224/mtvernoncsdorg/hymletixekib3cotbszc/ViewingPortraitProofs.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1767882224/mtvernoncsdorg/hymletixekib3cotbszc/ViewingPortraitProofs.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1767882224/mtvernoncsdorg/hymletixekib3cotbszc/ViewingPortraitProofs.jpg","width":2200}])
![DWSA recognizes students for making honor roll for the first marking period]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764879825/mtvernoncsdorg/y5halttvq3t41ik3lybi/DWSAHonorRoll-3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764879825/mtvernoncsdorg/y5halttvq3t41ik3lybi/DWSAHonorRoll-3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764879825/mtvernoncsdorg/y5halttvq3t41ik3lybi/DWSAHonorRoll-3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764879825/mtvernoncsdorg/y5halttvq3t41ik3lybi/DWSAHonorRoll-3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764879825/mtvernoncsdorg/y5halttvq3t41ik3lybi/DWSAHonorRoll-3.jpg","width":1206}])
Congratulations to Denzel Washington School of the Arts' first marking period honor roll honorees! DWSA proudly recognized and celebrated their scholars for their outstanding academic achievement. Their dedication and focus reflect the spirit of excellence they strive for every day at DWSA. Students were recognized for making the Principal's Honor Roll, High Honor Roll and Honor Roll.