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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Woodward Mill Elementary School

Principal: Dr. Sonya Brown

2020 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

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School Highlights

Woodward Mill ES Principal Dr. Sonya Brown was a finalist for the Gwinnett County Public Schools Transformational Leader Award! This performance-based award recognizes a principal who has successfully led transformative initiatives that drive significant improvements in student outcomes, staff development, or school/district operations. This leader embodies innovation, vision, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Our school was nominated for The Gwinnett County Public Schools Engagement Award! This award recognizes a Division and school that have successfully implemented innovative strategies to support the engagement of staff, families, and/or the community in the educational process. (Eligibility Criteria: 80th percentile or higher Gallup Q12 Engagement Mean OR meaningful growth of .20 or higher in the Gallup Q12 Engagement Mean)

The following school highlights showcase how Woodward Mill 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.

  • Woodward Mill Elementary is honored to have partnered with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) as a Project S.A.V.E. Heart Safe School, reflecting our commitment to student and staff safety, supporting a safe and prepared learning environment. We are also designated as a Green and Healthy School, demonstrating our dedication to student wellness and sustainable practices. 

  • Woodward Mill is proud to celebrate student achievement, as one of our students was named one of three Delta Community Credit Union Youth Essay winners from Gwinnett County Public Schools. This recognition highlights the strong writing skills and dedication to excellence fostered at Woodward Mill Elementary.

  • Students at Woodward Mill have the opportunity to join multiple clubs, including Chorus, Readers Rally, Garden Club, Running Club, Robotics, Cubs Care, Student Council, Safety Patrol, Dance Club and Yearbook Club. Among these clubs, our gardening club is vital in maintaining the beautiful planters they donated. The planters adorn our school’s entrance and help enhance our welcoming school environment. Our robotics club competes annually in the Robotics Competition. Our Iron Cubs Robotics Competition Team earned the Robot Design trophy at Regionals and was honored with the Core Values award at the Super Regional Competition. Student Council successfully hosted our first annual Talent Showcase, highlighting students’ and teachers’ talents across the school. 

  • Woodward Mill proudly hosts parent and community involvement nights, including STEM Night, where students can enrich their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics learning, as well as enjoy unique experiences such as interacting with camels and other exotic animals. Additionally, we celebrate cultural diversity through our International Night, where students learn about and honor the various cultures represented by our student body and families, including vibrant experiences such as an African drum performance. Notably, our hallways are adorned with flags from different countries, symbolizing the rich diversity of our staff and students.

  • Woodward Mill’s PTA plays an active role in the school community, organizing various events, including the Bear Scare, Bingo Night, Game On Mother-Son Dance, Denim and Diamonds Daddy-Daughter Dance, Movie Night, and other evening activities. In addition to these events, the PTA actively collaborates with teachers and parents to support educational initiatives and create a vibrant school environment. Their dedication fosters a strong sense of community at Woodward Mill. The year concluded with families celebrating at an end-of-year carnival that featured pony rides hosted by the PTA.

  • Throughout the school year, both students and staff at Woodward Mill demonstrated remarkable generosity by actively participating in various service projects. Some of these initiatives included the Kids Heart Challenge, United Way campaigns, Relay for Life events, Toys for Tots drives, and a holiday canned food collection. Their collective efforts positively impacted the school community and extended kindness beyond its walls.

  • Our school maintained a meaningful partnership with Costco and KIDS HOPE USA and North Metro Baptist Church, offering essential mentoring services to students. This collaboration garnered positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers alike. Many students have benefited from the consistent support of the same mentor throughout their elementary journey at Woodward Mill Elementary School. This valuable partnership received positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers. The program has continued to grow and yield benefits each year.

  • Our students thrive in an environment where engagement and emotional well-being are prioritized. Check-ins with a preferred staff member, morning greetings and hugs from the Principal, Brag tags, and Kindness Week initiatives foster a strong sense of inclusion. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons during morning meetings and counselor-led small groups provide students with essential tools to build resilience and empathy. We celebrate Special Needs Awareness week like never before by providing a safe space for all students to feel loved and appreciated. To further support student communication and inclusivity, a core communication board has been added to our playground to provide a method of communication for non-speaking and minimally speaking students. In addition, our speech-language pathologist (SLP) is collaborating with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation to expand this initiative by developing core communication boards for several parks across the county.

  • Our school’s custodial staff received well-deserved recognition for their exemplary performance in custodial care during the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, our cafeteria team received a 100 on all their inspections. Their dedication creates a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for our students and staff, while providing the nourishment needed to help every student succeed.

  • Woodward Mill takes great pride in expanding its business and community partnerships, welcoming new members to our Partners’ Board prominently displayed in our main lobby. These dedicated partners contribute their time and essential funds, ensuring that our school can consistently deliver a world-class education to our Cubs. Furthermore, our dedicated partners actively engage with our school community, participating in events, workshops, and mentorship programs. Their commitment fosters a collaborative environment where students thrive and achieve their full potential.

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