About GWES
About George W. Watkins Elementary School
George W. Watkins Elementary School (GWES) is a vibrant learning community committed to student attendance, mental well-being, and academic success. Through clubs, family engagement initiatives, and collaborative staff planning, GWES nurtures the whole child and supports learning both inside and outside the classroom. Strong community partnerships and extended planning opportunities ensure that every student has what they need to thrive.
GWES offers a secure, inclusive, and stimulating environment where students are encouraged to grow intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally. Differentiated instruction supports each learner’s individual needs, while programs and practices promote positive self-image, lifelong learning, and respect for others.
A Legacy of Excellence
The history below was compiled with information courtesy of the George W. Watkins Alumni Association
The roots of George W. Watkins Elementary School trace back to the early 1930s, when community leaders and educators recognized the urgent need to provide educational opportunities for Black students in New Kent County. Under the leadership of Mrs. S.A. Crutchfield and with community-raised funds, a high school was established to serve Black students, who previously had to leave the county for continued education.
In 1931, Dr. George W. Watkins began teaching 8th grade in what became known as “Aunt Edith’s Institute,” a small room in a home once owned by Mrs. Edith Davis. The school soon expanded, moving first to Cumberland Elementary and then, in 1933, relocated to a four-room building on land donated by Mr. Noah D. Brown. The school became known as the New Kent Training School and graduated its first class in 1935.
Renamed George W. Watkins School in 1950, it served grades P–11 and became the hub for all Black students in the county by the end of the 1950s. Following the 1968 school desegregation order, the school transitioned into New Kent Elementary in 1969 and later became New Kent Middle School in 1974. In 1989, the building returned to elementary school use, and on August 30th. 1998, it was officially rededicated as George W. Watkins Elementary School in honor of Dr. Watkins’ legacy.
Today, GWES continues to honor its powerful history by preparing students for a bright future—providing innovative instruction, fostering inclusive relationships, and promoting lifelong learning for all.