The Charles Walter Hill Elementary School became an important addition to the Atlanta Public School Systems, in 1947. In response to the continued requests of parents and other interested citizens, the Atlanta Board of Education made the decision that the elementary grades at David T. Howard High School, should be removed, and housed in a separate building.
The opportunity School, originally the Calhoun School, located at 417 Piedmont Avenue, N.E. was selected for the "new school". In years past, the Calhoun School had been known as the "finest in the Atlanta Public School System". Prominent white, civic and educational leaders, including Miss Ira Jarrell, former superintendent of the Atlanta Schools, proudly proclaimed that their early education had been received at the Calhoun School. Shifting and changing population resulted in a declining enrollment. Finally, the Calhoun School became known an the Opportunity School, and a modified vocational program, or sorts, was offered to an older student population. The Opportunity School suffered, also, from the continuing shift in population, thereby making it a natural selection for an "all-Negro" school.

In September, 1947, Miss Nell M. Hamilton, the principal, and about twenty teachers reported to their "new school" where they were joined by new appointees to the Atlanta Public School System. On opening day, they welcomed about 2,500 boys and girls- grades one through seven, to their very own school.

The name Charles Walter Hill, was a name well-chosen for our new school. Mr. Hill, a pioneer educator, was the first "negro" principal appointed in the Atlanta Public School System. During his forty-seven years of dedicated service, as teacher and principal, he was instrumental in fostering and aiding the cause of Negro public education in Atlanta. He was one of those rare individuals who would influence others, while remaining in the background.