Norton Elementary School
Principal: Katoria Gaston
3050 Xavier Ray Court, Snellville, GA 30039
School Highlights
The following school highlights showcase how Norton Elementary School is fulfilling Gwinnett County Public School's four strategic priorities of Empathy, Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence. Visit the School Profile Dashboard to find more detailed data on our school.
- Norton Elementary School is proud to be one of only eight Gwinnett County Public Schools offering a Pre-Kindergarten program. We host two Pre-K classes, each staffed with a certified teacher and a dedicated paraprofessional, serving 16 students per class. Our full-day program aligns with Georgia state standards and provides a strong educational foundation, ensuring our youngest learners are well-prepared for success in Kindergarten.
- Each month, every Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade teacher selected one student who best exemplified that month’s character trait to receive the Comet of the Month certificate. Teachers submitted a written statement explaining their nomination. The honored students were celebrated at a special ceremony, where parents and family members were invited to join in recognizing their achievements.
- Norton Elementary’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program continues to thrive. Teachers use PBIS lessons to model and reinforce the 3Rs—Ready, Respectful, and Responsible helping students demonstrate positive behavior throughout the school day. Students earn PBIS Gotcha Cards when exhibiting the 3Rs, which they can redeem at the PBIS Store for prizes, treats, or special celebration access. Additionally, class Gotcha Cards recognize entire classrooms for positive behavior in common areas like the media center, hallways, and cafeteria.
- At Norton Elementary, our Student Council plays a vital role in amplifying student voices as essential stakeholders within our school community and beyond. They strive to ensure that every student feels heard, valued, and empowered to make a difference. This year’s council included fourteen dedicated 4th and 5th-grade student leaders. Together, they continued their mission of service and student advocacy through a variety of impactful initiatives. The Student Council organized multiple food drives to restock our Comets Care Closet, directly supporting families in need.
- The Norton Sign Language Choir is composed of 4th and 5th grade students who show a strong interest in sign language and consistently demonstrate excellent behavior. Formed at the start of the school year, the choir meets regularly before school to rehearse and performs at various school and community events. Throughout the year, students learn American Sign Language (ASL) and are expected to master between 300 and 500 signs by the program’s end, building communication skills and cultural awareness.
- A team of ten 4th and 5th grade students took part in the annual Readers Rally competition in February at Peachtree Ridge High School. Under the guidance of coaches Denise Baccus, Josseline McGaughey, Toni Moore, and volunteer Scharletta Jones, the team demonstrated their dedication and literary knowledge, earning third place in their division.
- Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Book Mobiles visited Norton in March, providing students with an opportunity to select a free book. This special literacy event helped extend students’ love of reading beyond the classroom and into their homes.
- Fifth grade students interested in music and singing were able to audition for the County-Wide Fifth Grade Honors Chorus. Students from across the county come together in March to perform at Central Gwinnett High School. They rehearse all day with their music teachers to perfect their songs learned earlier in the year, then perform for parents, teachers, and community stakeholders. This year, MaKynzi Myart, Michelle Williams, Peter Uwaifo, and Caleb Carnes represented Norton in the Honors Chorus.
- Norton Elementary launched three new music clubs, providing students meaningful opportunities to explore the arts. Twelve students in grades 3–5 participated in the inaugural Multicultural Percussion Club, learning musical concepts, playing various instruments, and developing collaboration skills. The Band Club, with 32 students in grades 3–5, focused on instrumental music and performance techniques. Additionally, nine fifth-grade students joined the school’s first Orff Ensemble, which uses a creative, student-centered approach combining movement, speech, drama, and instrumental play. All groups performed at the Spring Musical in May, showcasing their talents to students, parents, and staff.
- Norton Elementary held a special ceremony in May to induct 13 fourth-grade students into the National Junior Beta Honors Club. The event celebrated not only their academic achievements but also their leadership, character, and commitment to service. These inductees joined a community of students dedicated to making a positive impact within the school and beyond.