OUR HISTORY

Forsyth School was founded in 1961 as a small preschool in a house leased from the Unity Christ Church on Forsyth Boulevard. Founder Mary Dunbar established an environment for creative learning using methods and materials now considered ahead of their time. Soon, a small, non-graded primary school was added for 15 children ages 5–7 whose families wanted to stay at Forsyth. The school expanded by one grade level each year and graduated its first sixth-grade class in 1970. Forsyth had grown to become a highly respected, independent elementary school in an astonishingly brief period.

Explore the Chronological History of Forsyth School

The core of Forsyth’s unique campus is comprised of six historic homes, acquired one at a time over five decades since 1965. All six were built in the 1920s and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each has been renovated to accommodate classrooms and administrative offices, plus a library, science labs, and lunchrooms. With three houses each on the parallel streets of Wydown and Forsyth Boulevards, the adjoining backyards create a large courtyard area converted into playgrounds, gardens, and athletic spaces (Sport Court and FieldTurf™ field with surrounding track). Through the years, new construction has augmented Forsyth’s historic buildings with the Rand Center for Performing Arts & Athletics (and Adventure Center featuring a high ropes course, climbing wall, and high beam), Falcon’s Nest (home of the Eyas Program), and campus-wide infrastructure updates to support teaching and learning.

Forsyth’s campus promotes independence, responsibility, curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and physical activity. More often than not, Forsyth students can be found outside—on the Main Playground, on Falcon Field, in the Big Backyard, at Falcon Falls, on the Sport Court, on the Fillmore Playground, and in the Butterfly Garden. Students navigate the campus daily for dedicated specialist classes in Library, Physical Education, Science, Spanish, and Visual & Performing Arts.

Forsyth’s one-of-a-kind campus supports the school’s challenge curriculum and defines the educational experience as children grow from grade to grade and move from house to house.

Heads of School

Historic Homes

Forsyth’s unique campus setting contributes to its culture. Each historic home, manageable in size for a child, maintains its own character and identity. Forsyth students and their families consider the transition from house to house by grade a special rite of passage. This allows children to develop a sense of place as they become more familiar and comfortable with the campus and community.

Forsyth’s six historic homes are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Wydown-Forsyth Historic District by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Fillmore House [Forsyth]

Built: 1925; Renovated: 2015
Acquired: 1965
Architect: Albert Meyer

Gerdine House [Forsyth]

Built: 1926; Renovated: 2003
Acquired: 1995
Architect: Maritz & Young

New House [Forsyth]

Built: 1927; Renovated: 2004/05
Acquired: 1989
Architect: Maritz & Young

Last House [Wydown]

Built: 1928; Renovated: 2013
Acquired: 1996
Architect: Nolte & Nauman

Next House [Wydown]

Built: 1929; Renovated: 2013
Acquired: 2012
Architect: Dan Mullen

Dunbar House [Wydown]

Built: 1930
Acquired: 1977
Architect: Nolte & Nauman