East Chester Elementary

     In 1913 Chester County High School was established in the Georgie Robertson Christian College building which was (later known as the Milan-Sitka Building) on the campus of Freed-Hardeman University. The number of high school students in 1913 was 50, this increased to 101 students by 1914. The school for 1915-16 was divided into Grammar School, Junior High, and High School. The curriculum during these first years included English, math, home economics, geography, general science, biology, physics, chemistry, agriculture and history. Sixteen units were required for graduation, beginning in 1916.

     When public transport improved in the 1930's, the enrollment in the high school began to expand. An annex was added to the original building and several residential houses were bought for the overflow. Despite more than 1,000 students attending the small school, it continued to be in the same building until 1951.

     The second building for Chester County High School was the finest one in West Tennessee at that time and cost $500,000. The gymnasium was the largest in the area and became the site for many regional basketball tournaments.

     When the East Chester Elementary School was completed in 1962 the Georgie Robertson Christian College building became vacant. It was sold to Freed-Hardeman University and became known as the Milan-Sitka Building, although it was finally demolished in 2004. The profits from this sale were used to build an auditorium at the high school in the early 1970's.

East Chester Elementary School was constructed in 1962.  An addition of four classrooms was built in 1975. The twenty-six classroom building for grades K-5 was finished in 1975. Later, two portable classrooms were added. A few years later another portable building was added.   East Chester remained K-5 until 1997 when the county elementary schools were reorganized. In August 1997, it became a K-3 school.   Currently, East Chester houses a preschool program for the developmentally delayed, a Pre-K class and classes for K-3 students.

     Students are able to participate in physical education, music, library, guidance, and computer classes.  East Chester also serves special education and gifted students as well as those with speech needs. 

East Chester has had seven principals since its establishment in 1962: Lewis Jones, William Barrett, Linda Patterson, Randle Fenimore, Nancy Hemby, Melinda Parker, and Kim Scott.  In August 2009 Spring McCutchen became East Chester's first assistant principal.

 

Melinda Parker, Randle Fenimore, William Barrett, Lewis Jones, Linda Patterson                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Our Theme

Our theme at East Chester is "Soaring to Success at EAST".  We use the eagle as our mascot, and our colors are blue and white.  We are using the word SOAR to teach the students about our expectations for them.  S is for Safe.  We want our school to be a safe place where everyone is happy and learning.  O is for On Time.  We want students to learn early how being on time is and how turning in assignments/projects on time is important.  A is for Always Respectful.  We are working hard at East Chester to teach our children to be respectful to others, to adults, and to property.  R is for Responsible.  We want East Chester students to be responsible as they grow and have them prepared for CCMS.  We have high expectations for our students, and encourage them daily to "do the right thing."