Site Name

Walt Whitman Middle School opened in 1961 with an enrollment of 1,066 at the site on Old Mount Vernon Road that is now Mount Vernon High School. In fall 1973, Whitman moved to the Richmond Highway location on U.S. Route 1, which in the 18th century, had been the Potomac Path, created to serve the Potomac plantations. With the closing of Fort Hunt High School and the merger of Stephen Foster and Bryant Intermediate Schools in 1985, Whitman was moved to its present location. This move placed Whitman out of its community boundaries, requiring all students to ride buses.

The school community itself is notably heterogeneous and diverse. Culturally, the Mount Vernon area is full of contrast and paradox. Although boundaries and locations have changed over the years, the basic premise that contributes to the success of the school is the commitment to meet the needs of the child in the middle. The school has implemented many innovative programs, practices, and strategies to address the school's changing demographics and students with special needs.

Whitman staff members fully implement the teaming concept. Teams are assigned learning disabilities specialists to provide support to students with leadning disabilities during the same year. The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program creates an opportunity to support bilingualism in our global society. Students are also supported academically by having a blocked schedule twice a week.

Whitman is preparing students through its design of a balanced, structured curriculum that meets the needs of a diverse student population. Whitman Middle School encourages parent and community partners and strongly supports the PTA.