Shiloh Elementary School

     Shiloh Elementary is located in the southwestern quadrant of Gwinnett County, near Highway 78, Stone Mountain Park, and the DeKalb County line. It was built to relieve overcrowding at nearby Centerville and Annistown elementary schools. The white brick and stucco structure is unique in design featuring a bright red roof. The school sits atop a lushly wooded hill, which is adjacent to the campus of Shiloh Middle School. Shiloh High School is located directly across the street from the middle school. The clustering of these three schools has helped to create a small-town atmosphere within this sprawling suburban county.

     The school was built on what was once a peach and apple orchard. Shiloh was named in honor of the Shiloh community and Shiloh Baptist Church, which housed a two-room schoolhouse for African-American students. Shiloh Baptist Church was founded in the 1800s, and records indicate that the school served students from the late 1800s through the mid 1950s.

     Shiloh Elementary was dedicated in August 1990. Its inaugural staff served approximately 900 kindergarten through fifth grade students. The school’s mascot was originally the Patriot and the school colors were red, white, and blue. The mascot and colors were later changed to align with those used by other schools in the Shiloh Cluster.

     Shiloh traditionally enjoys great support from parents and community. The school and its staff have earned numerous awards over the years. In fact, it was recognized as a 2003 National PTA Parent Involvement School of Excellence and a 2014 PTA Area I School of Distinction. Several teachers have received national recognition for their contributions to education. Rita Van Fleit, a first grade teacher, was the recipient of the 1996 Presidential Award for Outstanding Elementary Science Teachers of the Year. Larry Satchwell was selected as the 1995-96 National Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year and was an honoree at the Walt Disney Salute to the American Teacher Awards.

     The daily work at Shiloh Elementary continues to reflect the belief that children are the most valuable resource in the community. The school’s motto, “Strong minds, strong hearts, strong communities”, exemplifies this belief. Through the tradition of strong leadership and the commitment of faculty, staff, and community, Shiloh Elementary students continue to benefit from a challenging and engaging school experience.