Brookwood Elementary opened in August of 1985 with 960 students and a staff of 80 under the leadership of Principal Hal Beaver. The name was chosen because of the school’s proximity to Brookwood High School, which got its name from being at the intersection of Holly Brook and Dogwood roads. The land on which Brookwood Elementary sits was originally farmland. The school was built to relieve overcrowding at R.D. Head, Gwin Oaks, Britt, and Lawrenceville elementary schools. Over the past 30-plus years, four additions have added needed classrooms to the facility. 

Hal Beaver continued to lead the school until 1989 when Maxine Rithmire took over as principal. She remained the principal until November 2005, leading the school through many of the initiatives that have made Brookwood a place of academic excellence. Karen Head took the leadership post in December of 2005 and remained the principal until May of 2014. Cheri Carter, an assistant principal at the school, became the principal in June 2014. After Mrs. Carter’s retirement in 2019, Karen Lillard was named the new principal of the school. 

Mr. Beaver and the school’s first PTA had the vision of having a computer in every classroom and began making that vision a reality by purchasing 25 computers the first year. By 1989, that vision was realized. Today, each student has his or her own Chromebook to enhance learning.  Teachers make use of laptops, document cameras, and projectors to create interactive lessons. The school has added an Innovation Lab with a variety of devices for student learning including iPads, Chromebooks, interactive boards and tables, and AR/VR equipment. Teachers and students have embraced the school district’s eCLASS initiative as well as other online collaboration tools such as G Suite for Education and Adobe for Education. 

Brookwood’s focus continues to be on “teaching and learning” and the support of the community has not changed over the 30-plus years of our existence. Brookwood continues to be a “family” of committed students, parents, and staff that work hard to provide a top-notch educational environment in which children thrive.

Mascot: Colts        Colors: Maroon & Gold