• Freeman’s Mill Elementary School

  • Freeman’s mill elementary school building front
  • Address

    2303 Old Peachtree Road; Lawrenceville, GA 30043

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  • Principals

    Years Principal
    1999–2006 Dr. Olivia Hodges
    2006–2012 Marian Hicks
    2012–Present Angie Pacholke

  • Colors/Mascot

    School Colors:  Red, Black, and Gold
    School Mascot: Bears

    Freeman’s Mill Elementary School Logo

  • Building Plaque

    Board of EducationFreeman’s mill elementary school plaque
    Daniel Seckinger - Chairman
    Dr. Robert McClure - Vice Chairman
    Billy Britt
    Dr. Mary Kay Murphy
    Louise Radloff

    Superintendent: J. Alvin Wilbanks
    Architect: Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart, & Associates, Inc.
    Contractor: Ricks Contractors, Inc.
    Dedication Date: 1999

History

  •      Freeman’s Mill Elementary opened its doors to students during the fall of 1999 under the principalship of Dr. Olivia Hodges. The school was composed of students zoned from Dacula and Fort Daniel elementary schools. The school is named for several prominent families in the Dacula area. These families had an impact on the development of the area by organizing the community, running the first post office, and operating a grist mill.

         John W. Freeman, the first postmaster, changed the name of Freemantown to Dacula by combining letters from the Atlanta and Decatur railroad lines. In the 1800s, the railroads helped to develop the town by providing transportation and improving opportunities for commercial growth by transporting goods like those from the Freeman’s Mill, located on Alcovy Road.

         Winfield Scott Freeman once owned this mill, which was used by neighboring farmers to grind their corn and wheat into corn meal, wheat flour, and feed for animals.

         Dr. Samual Harris Freeman was a gentleman known for his generous nature. He practiced medicine in Dacula, serving the rich and poor alike. He never refused to care for those unable to afford medical treatment. Dr. Freeman also built and ran a store, started the first post office, and provided boarding rooms for ill patients in an arrangement similar to our hospital system today. He was a philanthropist who donated large amounts of money to build churches for the community.

         These early Gwinnett County residents— through their professions and community support— helped develop this area, six miles from Lawrenceville, into the thriving town of Dacula. It is because of their long-lasting influence on the Dacula community that the Gwinnett County Board of Education honored the Freeman name with the naming of this school.

         The school was officially dedicated on Sunday, February 6, including staff, students, and parents along with Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and Mr. Elliott Brack who provided the dedication address. When Freeman’s Mill opened it was a part of the Dacula Cluster. Its school colors were red and black, and its mascot was the Firebird. It later joined the Mountain View Cluster through redistricting and aligned its school colors and mascot with the cluster, changing the colors to red, black, and gold and the mascot to Bears.

         Since opening, the school and its students and staff have focused on building a tradition of high achievement. Evidence of this is found in its recognition as a Georgia School of Excellence (2007), positive school climate ratings, and numerous other awards.

         Freeman’s Mill Elementary continues to grow and the rich heritage of the school and community is a viable part of the school’s history