McKendree Elementary School

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McKendree Elementary School is an elementary school in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It serves students K-5 and is part of Gwinnett County Public Schools.

[edit] History

The first McKendree School was built in 1884 adjacent to McKendree United Methodist Church on the Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. The school derived its name from the church, which was also built that year and named after Bishop William McKendree. Bishop McKendree was the first native-born bishop of the Methodist Church.

In 1923, two unpainted rooms valued at $75.00 on one and a half acres accommodated two teachers, and 78 students representing seven grades. A neighbor's well provided water for the austere building. The school equipment inventory listed only double patent desks and a small blackboard.

In 1938, the school's value was placed at $1,500 even though it had no electricity. It closed in June, 1942.

The 65,000 square foot McKendree Elementary opened its doors to register 934 students, grades kindergarten through fifth, on August 22, 1988. The facility was built at 650 Lakes Parkway, Lawrenceville, to ease overcrowding at two other Gwinnett County schools, Benefield and Dyer elementary schools. The new building contained 44 classrooms, an activity building for indoor physical education, an automated media center, a spacious cafeteria with self-serve lines for students and staff, and administrative offices for the principal and instructional lead teacher.

By the end of its first year, McKendree grew to a student enrollment of over 1,000 students with a staff of 95. Two portable classrooms had been added to the physical plant.

Under the leadership of principal Cindy Antrim, the students and staff of the new McKendree Elementary began to establish their own traditions. The Mustang was voted as the school mascot, and silver and royal blue the school's colors. Its motto is "Making a Difference. Expecting Excellence".