History

George Washington Carver Elementary, which sits in the middle of the historically black community known as Carver, served as the primary education facility for the black community that lived in Carver, Newtowne, Jackson Ward, as well as students from throughout the city due to annexation.

As the racial makeup of Richmond changed due to urban flight, increased enrollment in private schools and other factors such as the repurposing of Jackson Ward and Navy Hill, so too did the population of Carver Elementary change.

Currently, more than 90% of the students live in public housing. Despite challenges of poverty, it is safe to say that all of Carver Elementary students come from loving backgrounds. What has plagued Carver Elementary School is the lack of resources which other schools in the immediate area enjoy.

While many have heard about the cheating scandal that took place within the last five years at Carver under a previous school administration, these unfortunate things sometimes bring to light the need for community involvement. Embrace Carver Elementary Foundation was founded in the spirit of advocating predominantly for the physical needs of Carver Elementary.

George Carver Elementary School was started as Moore Street School located at 1113 West Moore Street, Richmond, Virginia. Moore Street was a two-story brick school with sixteen classrooms. A former principal noted that there were no “modern conveniences” in this Victorian structure.

In 1908-09, Baker pupils were housed at Moore Street School on the afternoon shift. Due to the westward growth of the city, a ten-classroom annex with auditorium and basement cafeteria was occupied in 1916. Additional playground space was secured in 1922-23 and again in 1929-30. A modern building fronting Leigh Street was added in 1951. During this time, the two earlier buildings were renovated and the school’s name was changed to George Washington Carver.