Sarah Smith Elementary School opened her doors to students in 1952. It was named for the late Sarah Rawson Smith. Mrs. Smith was a member of a pioneer family long prominent in the educational, civic, and social life of Atlanta. She was born on November 4, 1891, and attended Crew Street School. Her education was completed in New York. In 1914, she married Marion Smith, a distinguished Atlanta attorney. Mrs. Smith was the inspiration of her husband and four children and exerted wide influence for good among her associates and in the community. Mrs. Smith died in 1929. The school was originally known as Marion Smith Elementary but was changed to Sarah Rawson Smith Elementary School on July 12, 1954. Alda W. Cannon was the first principal serving from 1952 until 1974. Charles Pepe served as principal from 1975 until 1989. Dr. Lee Friedman became principal in 1989 and retired in 2000. In 2000, Dr. Sidney Baker was named principal. Sarah Smith Elementary's school colors are red, white, and blue with the mascot being the Eagle and the nickname is SuperStars. The middle school is Sutton Middle School and the high school is North Atlanta High School.