The History of Newtown School
Newtown Elementary School is one of the last existing school buildings constructed in 1929 as a result of the Barrett-Rogers Act of 1919. The State of Georgia provided financial support to counties across the state to consolidate one-room schools into larger school facilities. Newtown Elementary School consolidated four one-room school houses; Teddymore; Riverside; Newtown; and Seven Branches. The school is located in the City of Johns Creek.

  

The school became part of the Fulton County School System in 1932 when Milton County annexed. In 1953, a large addition was added and it remained an elementary school within the Fulton County School System until 1980 when the school closed. The Fulton County School Board operated a maintenance facility at the school until 1991 when the property was deeded to Fulton County as the first stage of what would become Newtown Park. The school sat empty and unprotected from weather and vandals for almost ten years.

As a result of numerous community meetings, the Newtown Park Community Foundation persuaded Commissioner Bob Fulton to used District 3 Greenspace Funds to begin work on saving the original 1929 structure. In 2002, the 1950’s addition was demolished and the remaining structure environmentally secured. Improvements continued in 2003 with roof, gable and gutter replacement. What remains on the site is the original 1929 school building.

In 2003, the Foundation initiated a collaborative agreement with Southern Polytechnic State University School of Architecture for the renovation and expansion design of the Newtown Elementary School. The Board of Commissioners approved funding for additional design work in 2004. Plans and construction documents have now been completed for a multi-phase renovation of the historic structure as well as the construction of a new facility adjacent to the old schoolhouse. Restoring the school and the expansion will provide much needed community gathering space and special event space.

The original Newtown School was approved for the National Register of Historic Places in 2006 and is now owned by the City of Johns Creek. The Newtown Park Community Foundation will continue to work with the City and community to preserve and expand this historic treasure.