Middleburg Community Charter School (MCCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Robinson as Principal. For the past thirteen years, Mr. Robinson has served as an educator, academic leader, Vice Principal and Interim Principal. Since 2015, he served as Vice Principal of Washington D.C.'s Imagine Hope Community Charter School. In 2016, the school was awarded the Imagine School of the Year; an award given to the highest rated school in the Imagine Charter Network of over 60+ schools. In addition, he was named Teacher of the Year in Washington D.C. in 2010. He holds a bachelor's degree in History and a Master's degree in Administration and Supervision.

Principal Robinson says of his new role, "Creating a great school begins with building relationships with each other. The staff at MCCS is committed to providing rigorous instruction that is based on critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. I am confident that MCCS will provide each scholar with an education that is both challenging and unique. My desire is that every family in Loudoun has the aspiration to send their child to a school such as MCCS."

At MCCS every classroom teacher holds an advanced degree and a passion for individualized, student-focused education. The school emphasizes project-based learning and a progressive, whole-child approach. MCCS is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)-based school that offers blended classrooms (K/1, 2/3, 4/5) and a 16:1 student to teacher ratio with a maximum of 150 students.

MacKenzie Escobar, now in her fifth year at MCCS, teaches in one of the K/1 classrooms. "It's exciting because MCCS is starting to evolve past Project Based Learning towards something called Place Based Education. That's the idea that students are active participants in their immediate community with the ability to identify problems and solve them.

For example, some of my students noticed that Middleburg was missing a children's museum and wanted kids (and adults!) in the town to have a place where they could be curious and creative. To solve this problem, they decided to create a Fairy Garden – complete with whimsical, bright plants, painted rocks, handmade props, and personal messages. At age 5, these students already felt empowered to make a difference in their community and world, and, really, that's what education is all about."

Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton serves on the school's board of directors. "Since the 1880's this school has not only been educating our children, but has been an important partner with greater Middleburg, serving the broader needs of our community. We are committed to MCCS's continued success," Littleton said. Students take walking field trips into the Town of Middleburg to visit the public library, post office, and the National Sporting Museum as it relates to their curriculum. In the warmer months, fourth and fifth graders take their gym class in the form of swimming lessons at the Community Center's pool.

But it's not just time spent using the outside classroom or the frequent field trips that make MCCS special. Students are taught the content necessary to meet Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) in a hands-on, creative format. In the 2018-2019 school year, MCCS students exceeded Loudoun County averages for SOLs.

Perhaps it's the emphasis on community. This past spring during SOL week, all students were invited to participate in a "Spirit Week," dressing up as superheroes, wearing pajamas, and donning MCCS spirit wear. While the SOLs are revered, the emphasis on the whole-child brings a fresh approach to the often stressful testing time.

Middleburg Community Charter School is a public charter open to all Loudoun County K-5 residents. There is no fee to attend and no test to gain admission. MCCS is accepting applications for students from kindergarten through fifth grade for the 2019-2020 school year. To speak with Principal Robinson or schedule a school tour, please call (540) 687-5048.