Mount Vernon's dual-language school unites community

The fabric of Mount Vernon is its agriculture. The soil that produces all that grain, not to mention those famous tulips, has been a constant here for more than a century. But the demographics of that industry, and therefore, of Mount Vernon have changed wildly.

The Hispanic population here has tripled in the last 25 years. In fact, 34% of Mount Vernon’s population now identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

That influx of Spanish-speaking families necessitated a seismic shift in the school system. Namely, teaching the children in both English and Spanish. Not optional. Mandatory. 

Evelyn Morse, who took over as the Principal at Madison Elementary School 15 years ago, said, “Because of our community and our population, dual language was starting up in a neighboring [Burlington] school district, and it just made sense. “

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