History of Mount Zion Schools

The dreams of the Mount Zion citizens and Dr. Mitchell became a reality in December 1880 when Mount Zion Seminary opened its doors for its first semester with sixty students and two teachers. The goal of Mount Zion Seminary was to educate youth academically, spiritually and socially. Establishing and operating a school on the basis of funds obtained from the sale of school stock, small tuition fees, and donations was hazardous to say the least. Despite these uncertainties, Mount Zion Seminary prospered. Only two of the nine schools established by the Georgia Methodist Episcopal Conference had survived to the turn of the century--Mount Zion and the school at Demorest, Georgia. By this time, enrollment at Mount Zion Seminary had increased to one hundred students and additional buildings had been added.

The original campus had been enlarged over the years and by 1918 it contained twenty acres. By 1920 Mount Zion Seminary had become an accredited institution; it boasted an enrollment of two hundred and had three classroom buildings and boarding facilities for both boys and girls. The collective efforts of the Mount Zion Community, and the church made it possible for Mount Zion Seminary to launch another building program in the late 1920s. In 1924 a two story addition was added to the building. There had long been a need for proper facilities for the vocational agriculture department, a gymnasium, and four classrooms. In only a few short years, the agriculture department was recognized as one of the best in the state, a reputation that was to last for many years until a tragic fire destroyed the building and its equipment.

In the 1930s the Methodist Episcopal Church reorganized nationwide and decided to no longer sponsor church schools. In the fall of 1937, the Mount Zion Seminary Board of Trustees turned over a portion of the land, all of the buildings, and the operation of Mount Zion Seminary to the local school trustees of the Turkey Creek School District. On September 1, 1939, the local trustees deeded the property to the Carroll County Board of Education. The main seminary building continued to house Mount Zion Elementary School until the late 1950s when a new elementary school, which had been built on the grounds of the original seminary building, was opened. During the 1960-61 school year a fire destroyed the shop, the gym, and the high school classrooms. It seemed likely that the high school students would be moved to other existing schools in the county. However, the community worked unceasingly to provide the things needed to keep a high school in Mount Zion. The community rebuilt the gym and maintained the football field. In March 1977 a new Mount Zion High School building was opened. 

The new building at 132 Eagle Drive served as the campus for 8-12th graders for many years until eventually both sixth and seventh grades were added by 1996.  As growth continued in the Mt. Zion community, it became apparent that additional facilities would be needed to accommodate the needs of the students so in January 2008 a new Mt. Zion Elementary School was opened at 260 Eureka Church Road, Carrollton, GA.   The new campus served to provide the students of Mt. Zion with modern, 21st-century classrooms and technology.  The next goal was to separate the middle and high school students into separate facilities, eliminating the need for trailers or outside classrooms.  The county broke ground and began construction of what was to become the new campus of Mt. Zion High School at 280 Eureka Church Road, Carrollton, GA.  The new campus was complete with 21st-century classrooms, a new gymnasium, a stadium with a track, a practice field, and a new baseball field.  The Dedication Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting were held on January 3, 2011, and the school opened for students on January 4, 2011. 

Information for this page was taken from a history written by Mrs. Lanette Horton and materials and photographs provided from the collection of Mr. Jack Dorsey.

*History was updated by Judy Crews, November, 2021.