About Robert Shaw Elementary School

Robert Shaw Traditional Theme School was previously opened in 1955 as Robert Shaw Elementary School. The school was named in honor of Mr. Robert Shaw, an African American who was a devoted and outstanding citizen of the Scottsdale community. He donated a portion of his farmland so that the county could build an Elementary school for the children of the Scottsdale community. In 1969 the school was closed as a result of a court-ordered desegregation suit in the Dekalb County School System. Since that time, the facility served a variety of purposes for the school system, including an alternative school for high school students.

Dr. Frannie Tart, former Executive Director of Elementary Education for Dekalb County Schools, was the driving force behind the theme school concept. In the spring of 1998, Mr. Mike Kelly, DeKalb County School Board member, made the recommendation that Robert Shaw School be reopened as a Traditional Theme School. Within three short months the school was renovated and reopened on August 21, 1998.

In accordance with the Traditional Theme School concept, Robert Shaw Traditional Theme School offers students from Pre-K through sixth grade a very comprehensive, interdisciplinary educational program in a highly structured setting. Students are active participants in challenging learning experiences. Emphasis is placed on high academic standards and strict code of conduct. School uniforms are required and contractual parental involvement is a major component to the school's program. A full time parent volunteer coordinator works closely with the PTA and staffs the Parent Center which is located in the school facility. The Parent Center's primary objective is to re-connect family, children, school, and community.

The students that attend Robert Shaw come from a diverse4 social, cultural, economic, and academic backgrounds. Robert Shaw is one of the most technology-rich schools in the DeKalb County School System. Robert Shaw exemplifies a "brain friendly" learning environment. Each classroom utilizes aromatherapy and models the classroom setting to reflect a comfortable home environment. Green plants and soft lighting are prominent in each of our classroom settings. Comfortable reading stations and activity areas are abundant with math work stations arranged for independent study.

The philosophy of Robert Shaw Traditional Theme School is to provide our students with an environment of warmth and nurturance and a basis for lifelong learning. Believing that children are unique individuals, our learning institution will provide each student with the opportunities to develop cognitively, affectively, and physically. We are strongly committed to creating an academically sound, well-rounded program of instruction.