School History

Our Storied History

Julius Marks Elementary opened its doors in 1976, becoming part of the growing Georgetown Road community in Lexington. Our school was named in honor of Julius Marks after his son donated land to the City of Lexington with the agreement that a school would eventually carry his father’s name. When the Georgetown Road community advocated to preserve the name Booker T. Washington for a school being developed at another location, the Marks family graciously gave permission for their name to be used for the new school.

Nearly 50 years later, JME has grown into a vibrant, diverse school community with a history of service, relationships, and partnership at its center. Generations of students and families have walked through our doors, and many of our families have deep connections to the school. Today, we are proud to serve families from across our community and from more than 30 countries, bringing together many cultures, languages, experiences, and perspectives.

While our building and community have changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: Julius Marks is a place where people know one another, look out for one another, and believe in the potential of every child. Our history is not simply the story of when our school opened, it is the story of the students, families, educators, and community partners who have continued to shape what JME is today.

As we look toward our next chapter, we carry that history with us while continuing to build a school that reflects the families we serve: welcoming, connected, curious, and deeply committed to the success of every child and family.