McEver Arts Academy and Oakwood Elementary School recently opened their doors to students past and present one last time as they prepare to close at the end of the school year.
McEver and Oakwood held final walk-throughs of their buildings on May 2 and May 17, respectively. The schools will combine to form Everwood Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year.
As the two schools prepare for the merger, members of the communities flipped through old yearbooks, visited former classrooms and reminisced over the impacts both schools had on their lives.
Fourth grade teacher at McEver Sabrina Waters shared that after 23 years at the school, the building feels like more than a workplace.
“I've never taught anywhere else,” Waters recalled. “I've taught fifth, fourth and third grade, and the school. I feel like I kind of grew up here because I started my career here, and now, I'm still here. [The school] is like a family, and I'm really excited about taking that family atmosphere [and moving it] over to our new school and continuing on with those memories and building what we have.”
The events also saw the return of several former staff members. Among those saying ‘farewell’ was Sabrina White, who previously retired from teaching at Oakwood after 35 years with the school. White shared her feelings as she toured the facility's hallways for the last time.
“I am seeing people, friends, that I have not seen in 20 years,” White said. “But that's the thing about Oakwood Elementary School, and it always has been…We are truly a family here, and it's not just the teachers, it's the parents, the students that come through…it's so sad that ‘home’ is not going to be here anymore.”
The Mustangs and Eagles will officially become the Everwood Owls once the Hall County School District dismisses students for summer break on Friday. While no plans have been announced for McEver’s facilities, OES’s former building will be transformed into a temporary campus for World Language Academy’s primary school. WLA’s current campus on Winder Highway will be demolished, with a new facility being built on the same site.
Despite mixed emotions surrounding the closings, McEver Kindergarten teacher Magnolia Urrego, expressed excitement for the new facility located on McEver Road in Oakwood.
“It's a bittersweet situation, because this is like my home,”Urrego said. “Everybody, the families, we built a very beautiful community, and now having to go is kind of sad, but we have a beautiful school. Our [new] school is wonderful…we are just going to grow in love.”
Everwood’s First Day of School will be Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
