Mission Statement
Northside Elementary School is committed to student success and will provide a safe, nurturing, and challenging learning environment. With the support of faculty, parents, and community, students can grow to their potential and become life long learners.

Northside's Motto
Committed to Excellence

Our Staff Believes:

• Every student has worth and can learn.
• We will provide a safe, secure and caring environment that enhances positive self-esteem and successful learning.
• We will adapt the curriculum to build on the diversity and uniqueness of each child so he/she can succeed at his/her own ability level.
• We will set high expectation to produce successful students.
• Every student will develop computer skills and prepare for an ever-changing technological world.
• Every student will develop his/her ability to cooperate with others and achieve positive interpersonal relationships.
• The community and parents will join the staff to complete an effective educational team.

Northside Elementary School is a Targeted Assistance Title 1 School. Title 1 is a federally funded program that provides financial support to approved schools.  Identified students can use the resources provided by this program.  Title 1 funding strengthens the academic focus of our school and also provides services/resources/trainings for our staff and parents. You will find a copy of the Northside Targeted Assistance at the following link:

Northside Targeted Assistance Title I Plan 2009

School Council:

Chair: Brett Johnston
Staff: Ingrid Richardson, Susan Jackson, Dana Ballou
Parents: Brandon Lovett, Michelle Riede, Todd Scarbrough

The History of Northside Elementary School

            Northside School was originally housed in army barracks just beyond the present school site on Country Club Road.  Mr. Jennings was the first principal of the school, which included grades one through eight.

            In 1955, a new building was constructed.  This new building housed grades one through eight, and it continued to be known as Northside Jr. High School. In 1966, two additional rooms were added to the building.  Subsequent principals included L.S. Conn, Leroy Norwood, and Leroy Simuel.

            In 1970, Northside was designated a primary school to serve grades one through three, with L. D. Walker as the principal.  Walker retired from Northside in 1982, and James Spear became Northside’s principal.  The school included grades kindergarten through third grade and had expanded to house 550 students.

Ruby Byrd was named the full-time lead teacher in 1987.  Major additions were made to the school in 1987 and 1988, and the original building was completely renovated.  The school now included new administrative offices, a media center, thirty classrooms, and a multi-purpose building for physical education.

            In 1988, the school continued to expand to include kindergarten through fifth grade, and had an enrollment of 625 students.

            Both Mrs. Byrd and Mr. Spear left Northside in 1998.  At that time, Barbara Louis was named principal, and Dana Ballou was named lead teacher (job title was later changed to assistant principal).

            Three additional classrooms were added to the main building in 2000.  These classrooms housed the Art, Music, and Computer classrooms.

            The administrative offices and front lobby were renovated in 2002. The new area included the clerk/registrar’s office, the bookkeeper’s office, the principal’s and counselor’s office, as well as the school conference room.

            Dr. Thomas McCormack was named principal in 2003 and served in this capacity until February 2006.  Dana Ballou was named Northside’s principal in February, and Stan McMichael became the assistant principal in August of 2006. Mr. McMichael served the school until June 2008.  Dr. Theodore Travis became the assistant principal in July 2008, and is serving his second year in this capacity with Dr. Ballou as principal.

            At this time, Northside Elementary School has 65 staff members and serves approximately 392 students in PreK(3) through Fifth Grade.