Frank N. Osborne Middle School

     Frank Newton Osborne, who served Gwinnett County as a full-time teacher and principal, was a man with a vision. As an educator in this community for 25 years, Mr. Osborne helped to define a school system still in its infancy. In 1945, he initiated the visiting teacher program in Gwinnett and became the first truancy officer. In fact, he was infamous for driving all over rural Gwinnett County collecting truants and driving them to the schools where they belonged. In classic form, he would slowly pull up to the students in his black sedan, roll the window down, and say with a friendly, slow Southern drawl, “Get in the car.” Mr. Osborne coordinated community support to provide students with clothing, food, and financial contributions that were instrumental in keeping many children in school.

     Mr. Osborne was married to the former Thelma Faulkner for 44 years. Together, they raised four daughters and a son. In addition to the school named in his honor, Mr. Osborne’s legacy continues through his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frank Newton Osborne died in 1970.

     Osborne Middle School, which opened in August 2004, is dedicated to his memory. With the help of its community, Osborne Middle School will provide the total support needed for students to receive a quality and effective education and become responsible and successful citizens.

     There are a number of indicators of that success. In fact, the school’s focus on creating strong writers paid off in the form or multiple top rankings in the state (out of 550 schools) on the Georgia Grade 8 Writing Assessment. Other school highlights include an award-winning Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team, fine arts program, and FIRST LEGO League Team.