Today we celebrate Gower Elementary School, home of the Gower Gators. Its original building dates back nearly 200 years. In the early 1800s it was located on Old Charlotte Pike on land donated by Reverend William Gower. The original building was used as both a school and a church. Reverend Gower was the first teacher in this one-room school.
In 1895, the school burned, and around the turn of the 20th century, the building was replaced with a regular school building as the church was relocated. 
In 1922 the 17-year-old great-great-granddaughter of Reverend Gower, Miss Katherine Gower, became the primary grade teacher of 65 children at Gower School. Her own children later attended the school. In 1942, the building lacked running water, so teachers had to bring food and milk each morning to have a school lunch program.
Throughout the current century, Gower has continued providing an excellent educational environment. The school is a great place for children to learn, grow, and reach their grade-level potential.
Gower is a diverse school, too, representing countries with a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. They provide extended wrap-around services through English Learners classes along with services for students with disabilities. Gower has a great reputation for being very welcoming and for successfully implementing inclusionary practices.
At Gower, the faculty and staff focus on meeting the needs of the whole child and supporting the needs of families whenever possible. They support this effort by addressing the social-emotional needs of children and implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports approach. They also offer music, art, P.E., and dance for their related arts classes.
The school practices Every Student Known by implementing its Sown to Grow program with fidelity. This trackable tool helps improve students socially, emotionally, and academically. Every staff member is a part of the Sown to Grow initiative.
Gower parents are actively involved in PTO and volunteering around the school. They encourage parent and community involvement every day!
“Gower is a hidden gem located in West Nashville,” Principal Barbara Frazier said.
Fun facts about Gower Elementary
- The Gower family of Nashville gifted the land for the school to be built.
- Gower still has the Bible presented in 1942 by Harry V.L. Gower.
- More than 20 different languages are spoken in the homes of current students.