Newtown School Community Association - About Us
The Newtown School & Association (NSCA) is a community-based, certified 501(c)(3) public charity non-profit organization located in Elkton, Virginia. Established in 2026, this organization aims to restore the legacy and celebrate the African American history surrounding the last remaining schoolhouse from the segregated school system in Rockingham County: the Newtown (East Elkton) School. The project focuses on reclaiming the school and honoring the community's proud history. The Association’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the history and community spirit of Newtown while engaging residents and partners in educational, cultural, and social efforts that strengthen unity and enhance quality of life.
The Newtown (East Elkton) School has deep historical roots. The area's first educational institution was known as the 'Elk Run Colored School,' situated on the same lot as Mount Paran Baptist Church. As student enrollment increased, the community moved the school in 1921. Local African American merchant Robert O. Nizer sold land for what would become a Rosenwald school, transforming it into the Newtown (East Elkton) School. This school served as part of the segregated, dual public school system in Rockingham County, specifically catering to African American students in Elkton, VA.
The Newtown School and Community Association is dedicated to developing the site to:
- Preserve and promote the history, legacy, and community spirit of the Newtown area and the former Newtown School in Elkton, VA.
- Provide a forum for residents and friends to engage in activities that enhance community education and life.
- Support educational, cultural, and social programs that benefit the Newtown neighborhood and its surrounding areas.
- Collaborate with local government, schools, and other community organizations to improve quality of life and foster unity.
Who are we...Our History, Teachers, Students..
Teachers
Teachers
Teachers
Explore the listing of teachers who contributed to community education within African American history, particularly during the era when Jim Crow laws enforced separate but equal education, including details about the Newtown school in Elkton.
Students
Teachers
Teachers
As we continue to research the African American history of the Newtown school in Elkton, we must take note of the former students and the challenges they faced as community education opportunities were limited.
Historical Documents
Other historical documents related to the property on which the Newtown school Elkton is situated, highlight aspects of African American history and the impact of community education.
A Timeline of African American Education
Education for African Americans was severely limited during the pre-Civil War days, which significantly impacted community education efforts, including those at the Newtown School in Elkton.