Southwest Elementary School is a public school, owned, operated and staffed by the Leon County School Board.
The masonry structure is located on a 16-acre track in the southwest section of the city of Tallahassee, Florida
Southwest elementary School became the fulfillment of a dream, September, 1957. The plan consisted of 12 modern classrooms, a teachers lounge , a clinic, a cafetorium, a small library. The school was built to accommodate approximately 350 students.
Augustus Robinson was appointed Principal.
The faculty consisted of twelve classroom teachers, a part-time music mud physical education teacher.
The present faculty consist of 18 classroom teachers, a full-tire librarian, and a physical ed teacher.
From the year 1957-61, the school has grown from an enrollment of 338 students to 638 students.
'The value of the school his increased tremendously.
Through the efforts of the citizens, students, and school personnel we have been able to steadily increase opportunities for pupils in our school
Since the curriculum is the core of any well-organized program of instruction, the faculty selected a study of the curriculum as its first study during the opening years of the 1957-1958, school term. As an approach to the study, the results of the county-wide test data were studied. These test results revealed deficiencies in reading, arithmetic, and language skills that existed in grades 4,5 and 6. Since the median grade placements in these grades showed puplis' performance and achievement considerably lower than their present grade, at that time, the teachers of Southwest Elementary School decided to develop a curriculum to meet the needs of the children entrolled. While the faculty was taking a closer look at the needs of the students and the community through observation, a need for aesthetic development was discovered. As a result of the latter discovery, a beautification committee was selected. The committee made a survey to find what improvements of the campus could be made to help develop within our pupils an appreciation for beauty. The committee found as a result of the survey the following:
The grounds needed grading, as this was a new school site.
Lawn grass was absent in many places.
Flowering trees were needed such as: dogwoods~crepe
myrtles, etc.
Shrubbery ornamental annuals, and perennial flowers
were planted.
The campus needed seats in the shaded areas.
The committee secured the support of the staff, the student body and the P.T.A. on the beautification project. The Primary and Intermediate Departments selected areas to beautify and included them in their general planning and teaching. The pupils have learned many helpful facts from these activities. The P.T.A. joined heartily in securing plants for the campus as their initial contribution to the school.
After realizing that the needs were so great, the committee decided to extend the study over a five-year period.
The year, 1957-1958, boxwood were planted on each side of the walks at the front entrance. Azaleas, roses and other shrubbery were planted on the front sides of the buildings. Palms, crepe myrtle and dogwood trees were planted. Azaleas were planted under the pine trees on the campus.
In 1958-1959, shrubbery was planted on the south side of the building.
As the campus was being beautified, plans for continuity in learning experiences by grade levels in subject matter areas were being made. Increased attention to teaching basic skills in reading, arithmetic, and language in planned sequence so as to promote progress from grade to grade in the basic fundamentals and aesthetic values were reinforced.
As the campus became beautified, the faculty decided theta more definite guide for instruction should be completed. With this in mind, a curriculum based on the needs and interests of enrolled students was completed.