Among other landmarks in Savannah, DeRenne Middle School bears the name of George Wimberly Jones DeRenne, a nineteenth century philanthropist and champion of education for minorities. George Wimberly Jones DeRenne died in 1880. His legacy lives on. Owner of a large estate in England, DeRenne immigrated to this country and settled at Wormsloe Plantation. This estate has passed from generation to generation and was renowned as one of the most beautiful and distinctive plantations in all of the South.

The last owner of Wormsloe was Mrs. Craig Barrow, a great granddaughter of George DeRenne. While Mrs. Barrow's descendants still reside at Wormsloe, the property is now managed by the federal government and can be found on the National Register of Historical Places.

Wormsloe is the current site of historically accurate recreations of the early life of Georgia settlers. Many school children visit there each year to learn more about the colonial period.

As an early pioneer of education, George W. DeRenne deeded the West Broad Street School property to the Board of Education in 1878 for the education of Savannah's black population. Because of his efforts, the 22-classroom school, built in 1952 on Mills B. Lane, was named in his honor. The doors of the school opened in 1953, serving elementary-aged children.

In 1976, DeRenne was converted to a junior high school, serving students in grades seven and eight. In 1985, sixth grade was added and DeRenne became DeRenne Middle School. In 2002, a new campus for DeRenne Middle School was built on Clinch Street.