Northwest Elementary, located in Murray County, Georgia, opened in 1956 with an enrollment of approximately 250 students. At that time, Northwest was a rural school with strong ties to the community and a stable population that supported the school and the system. The area is still primarily rural, and the community has remained supportive, but farms have become subdivisions, and the population has increased steadily. From an enrollment of 400 students in the early 1990s, the school had risen to over 800 students in January 2003. Today, due to the additional construction of new schools in the county, the enrollment is in the 500s. 

In 1999, the school was remodeled, and additional instructional areas were added—the new design provided for an amphitheater and other outdoor areas. The school is also enhanced by a beautiful community park built from donations in honor of students involved in a train/bus accident in March 2000. The school also has a Children's Memorial Garden that lists the names of students who have succumbed to tragedies over the years. The Memorial Garden hosts a Free Little Library that the community can use to promote reading. 

The Children's Kindness Garden was established during the 2018-2019 school year. The project aims for students to embrace kindness daily as they enter the Northwest Campus. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, each student designed their own kindness rock to remain in the garden. The goal is for each outgoing kindergarten class to leave a message of kindness for future students at Northwest. 

In the spring of 2020, Northwest and other schools were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic plaguing the Nation. On April 13, 2020, Northwest was damaged by an EF-2 Tornado during the lockdown. Extensive damage by flooding and wind occurred in the main hallway, gym, music, media, Excel, and ESS Departments. The school has been repaired, and continued remodeling of the facility will take place during the summer of 2022. 

Northwest is thankful that none of our students lost their lives during the tornado. The Northwest Community and Murray County lost eight citizens due to the deadly nightly tornado. Residences in the area received extensive damage to their homes. Northwest students witnessed an outpouring of love from teachers, community members, churches, and surrounding communities by receiving meals, clothing, and much-needed items. 

  Northwest is a special place. Northwest provides an environment that is non-threatening and supportive of all school populations. The mission for each of its students is for all to become self-confident problem solvers who use the skills they have acquired at Northwest as stepping stones for lifelong learning. These are not mere words but embrace a philosophy that all students and teachers strive hard to incorporate into each day's activities.

Photos Courtesy of...

Murray County School Days

Moravian to Modern

Whitfield-Murray Historical Society