About

About Ivy Elementary 

Mission Statement

The mission of Ivy Elementary is to inspire and develop a community of critical and creative thinkers, responsible global citizens, and lifelong learners.

A Storied Legacy

Founded in 1922, the school originally consolidated several small rural schools—including Ivy High School, Garth School, High Point School, and Ridge View—on land generously donated by the Hopkinson family in the heart of Ivy. Initially named Meriwether Lewis School in honor of the famed explorer who grew up nearby, the school housed elementary, middle, and high school students under one roof.

Over the years, as Albemarle County’s educational landscape evolved, the building transitioned: in 1953 it became strictly elementary-focused; by the mid-1970s, younger grades remained after higher grades moved to new middle schools. In 1984, Ivy merged with Murray Elementary—splitting K–2 and 3–5 between two campuses—until the current K–5 building was constructed in 1988.

Honoring Our Community—Adapting Our Identity

In 2022-2023 the Albemarle County School Board voted to rename the school to Ivy Elementary School, effective July 1, 2023. The chosen name celebrates the school’s geographic and communal roots and aligns more closely with the division’s core values of equity, excellence, family, community, and wellness.