Northbrook Middle School
History
Northbrook Middle School opened in August 2014. It was named for its location on Northbrook Parkway. The story of Northbrook Middle School is tied inextricably to the rapid growth of Gwinnett County and its residents’ commitment to quality education. During the boom years of the 1990s, northwestern Gwinnett County experienced a surge in residential and commercial construction and be- came a magnet for corporate headquarters and business en- terprises. The attraction of businesses and families necessi- tated the opening of Hull Middle School in 1996 to relieve overcrowding in the Duluth Cluster. In 2003, Hull Middle School became part of the new Peachtree Ridge Cluster, which was created to serve parts of the cities of Duluth, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville. The excellent reputation of the Peachtree Ridge Cluster has continued to attract resi- dents to the area since the cluster’s formation, resulting in the need for a second middle school. On August 5, 2014, Northbrook Middle School opened its doors as the newest member of the Peachtree Ridge Cluster.
The campus of Northbrook Middle School reflects the business boom Gwinnett County experienced over the previous three decades. Located on the site of the former Southeast Distribution Center for Panasonic North Amer- ica, the school itself is a transformation of the corporation’s former office/warehouse facility. Built in 1995, the Pana- sonic building housed 450 employees and was a hub for the Japanese corporation’s North American opera- tions. When the com- pany vacated the facility, Gwinnett County Public Schools purchased the ideally situated property in 2007 in anticipation of the community’s continued enrollment growth.
Northbrook Middle School is nestled among businesses large and small along Northbrook Parkway in Suwanee. These “cor- porate neighbors” are a daily reminder of the knowledge and skills today’s graduates will need to succeed in the 21st Century. Northbrook Middle School teachers and staff are committed to creating a culture grounded in excellence in which young learners are provided individualized and rig- orous instruction in an atmosphere that is nurturing and promotes high achievement for every student.
Dr. Keith Thompson was selected as the school’s first principal and he began immediate outreach to the Jackson Elementary School community and the area businesses.
The Northbrook facility is unique in that it houses a number of programs that are separate from the school. For example, the ADAPT/STRIVE and BRIDGE programs are housed at Northbrook Center, adjacent to the school. In addition, the school district’s offices for Safety and Security and Mentoring are housed there.
As part of the Peachtree Ridge Cluster, Northbrook Middle focuses on providing students with a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for high school. The schools in the cluster are united in its work to create and support “One Ridge.”
During its short history, Northbrook Middle School has become known for its service to students. The school offers an Academic Assistance Program and tutoring, while also extending students’ learning through STEM intiatives. NMS students have a number of activities and clubs to choose from... extracurriculars that speak to students’ interests and broaden their view of the world in which they live. As a result, students have excelled in a number of academic and extracurricular competitions.
Northbrook Middle is proud of the work it does to prepare students for high school. It is a proven good neighbor to its corporate neighbors and to the community of students and families it serves.