George Wythe Schools

George Wythe Schools. 100 Years of Educating Wythe Area Children. , Named for George Wythe, who was born near Hampton and signed the Declaration of Independence, the George Wythe School commenced with 4 classrooms in January 1909. It served 125 children, as the smaller student populations at Riverview and Merrimac Schools were consolidated. By the early 1930s, the facility had grown to 12 classrooms plus other amenities, with 600 enrollees in grades 1 through 9. , , In 1935 overcrowding led the school district to design a new junior high, serving grades 7 through 9, on adjacent property. A federal grant covered nearly half of the $180,000 cost, the balance deriving from a bond issue passed by vote of the citizens. Students were welcomed to its opening in the fall of 1936. , , One of the unique features of Wythe Junior High was the placement of the school mascot over each of the two front doors. The Owl, a widely recognized cultural symbol of wisdom, was chosen by the students. , , By the end of the 1940s, authorities determined that the old building had outlived its usefulness. A new George Wythe Junior High School was built a few miles away and had students first attend in the 1950-51 class year. The elementary students were relocated into the old junior high, which was renamed George Wythe Elementary School. , , The old building was torn down, but its basement was not filled in, as the school board in 1959 leased the land to the George Wythe Recreation Association for the construction of a neighborhood swimming pool. , , From 1977 to 1979, the building was vacated and renovated, with the students for two years attending a temporarily renamed Sinclair-Wythe Elementary. A full population of scholars returned for 1979-1980, but due to age of the building, the opening of two new Pre K-8 schools, and budgetary constraints, Wythe Elementary closed its doors in 2010. Memories linger on, as the school's memorable slogan "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve" will remain in the hearts of former students, teachers, and staff., (captions) , The owl patch was given to students of the Jr. High School who excelled in academies and participated in school activities. This patch is from 1942. - Courtesy Shirley Sue and Jimmy Wallace, Early 1930's photo of the George Wythe School facing Kecougtan Road. Courtesy Hampton School Board Office, The new Junior High School almost finished, February 1936 Courtesy Hampton School Board Office