Charles Brant Chesney Elementary School opened its doors in August of 2004. It was originally constructed to serve up to 770 students with 46 classrooms, 2 computer labs, and a media center.

As growth required a need for a new elementary school in the Duluth Cluster, a grassroots movement to name the school for Charles Brant Chesney commenced. Brant Chesney, a Gwinnett and Forsyth County fireman who was killed while fighting a fire on Lake Lanier, was dedicated to educating children and was responsible for teaching hundreds of Gwinnett students about fire safety. He was known throughout the state for his work as a fire safety educator. Chesney was responsible for educating hundreds of students about fire safety and burn prevention in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties. On August 9, 2004, Gwinnett County Public Schools opened Charles Brant Chesney Elementary School honoring a man who had played such an important role in education.

Carlotta Rozzi was the first to serve as principal of Chesney Elementary School. The school opened with 692 students and 96 staff members. At its inception, Chesney was highly diverse and included a student body and staff that reflected multiple countries and languages. 

In the fall of 2004, supporting a fire safety theme, the students selected a Dalmatian to serve as the mascot and later named it Sparky. Later in the fall, the Chesney Elementary School community officially dedicated its new school, inviting parents, students, community members, and firefighters.

In 2014, the school celebrated its 10th anniversary. Participants included MaryAnn Bank, the mother of Charles Brant Chesney, as well as School Board Member Louise Radloff, Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris, Gwinnett County Fire Battalion Chief Rod Dawson, and former principals Carlotta Rozzi and Margaret Ackerman.

Chesney continues to take great pride in enhancing student achievement while promoting a positive school culture for its students, staff, and parents. Chesney’s core business is teaching and learning. It is cemented in balanced literacy, numeracy and STEM. The school has been recognized by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful for its environmental education efforts. Another key to the culture of Chesney Elementary is the school’s focus on giving back. Each year, the school participates in Relay for Life and United Way. Moreover, Chesney Elementary School is a No Place for Hate school where students, faculty and staff promote an anti-bullying climate.

At the heart of Chesney Elementary School, we are a school that celebrates collaboration among all stakeholders, because Together Everyone Achieves More.

Mission

The mission of Chesney Elementary is to develop successful life-long learners and productive citizens by maintaining high expectations for personal responsibility and academic excellence in an environment that fosters the joy of teaching and learning.

Vision

Chesney Elementary will become a world-class school Committed to Excellence for all Students.

School Motto

“Learning and Leading Like Champions.”