About Johnson

About Johnson Elementary School

JON IMG_2031“We are Family” is more than a motto

The Johnson Elementary School motto is “We are family.” Small class sizes and high expectations create a climate for academic excellence. In recent years, Johnson has earned repeated honors through the Virginia Index of Performance program and has been a  Title 1 Distinguished School.  Serving preschool through grade 4, the school is located in the southwest section of the city on approximately 13 acres of wooded land.

JON IMG_4571The school actively builds community through family nights,  after-school clubs, and special events such as its annual International Day celebrating the many cultures its students represent.

Johnson, like all Charlottesville City elementaries, is marked by:

  • Small class sizes
  • A commitment to the arts
  • An active garden classroom made possible by City Schoolyard GardenJON 8-31-garden-3
  • Varied instruction, including a Quest program for high-achieving students
  • Community partnerships, such as our annual “Minds in Motion” production with the Richmond Ballet

History of Johnson Elementary

JON IMG_3915Built in 1954, the school was named for Dr. James G. Johnson, who was Superintendent of Schools for 35 years, from 1909 to 1946. In 1993, the school was renovated extensively and an enlarged library, new floors, and office space were added.

Meet Your Administrators

Principal Summerlyn Thompson holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia, along with an administration/supervision certification from Western Governors’ University.  Before becoming an administrator at Johnson in 2013, she taught at Venable Elementary and then served as mathematics specialist at Johnson.

Carmella Johnson is Johnson’s assistant principal. For nearly fifteen years, Ms. Johnson has also served Charlottesville City Schools as an elementary school teacher and instructional coach.