Historical Reflections

Of

Carver High School

 

Carver School was formerly known as Mount Olive Grade School and had its beginning in or about 1890 in a large one-room building with two teachers and approximately 75 students. It was located on what is now Smith Street in the corporate limits of Mount Olive. Mr. E.E. Smith served as head teacher and administrator.

 

In 1896, under the administration of Mr. Marshall Kornegay, the faculty increased to three and the student body to approximately 100 students.

 

The school continued to experience growth during the period 1901-1910 under the principalship of Mr. M.D. Coley. In 1908, a building known as Mount Olive Community Center was erected on Smith Street. The Center housed grades one through seven with a faculty of four and a student body of approximately 145.

 

In 1923, it was determined that a high school was needed. A two-story veneer building was erected on the site where Southern Academy now stands. This building was for high school students and contained six classrooms, an auditorium, and a principal’s office.

 

In 1927, the high school department was accredited by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction.

 

On the night of December 15, 1939. The high school building and all its contents were completely destroyed by fire. For approximately a year and a half, classes were held in temporary quarters.

 

During the summer of 1941, a complex of three brick veneer buildings were constructed which included two eight-classroom buildings and an auditorium.

 

Mr. S.E. Durante served as principal from 1947-1957. During his administration a library, cafeteria, industrial arts and agriculture shops, a gymnasium, a primary building and a grammar grade building were constructed on the main campus. Physical education, speech, and vocational agriculture were added to the curriculum.

 

During this period an almost total consolidation program of small (rural) schools took place. In December 1947, the high school department was approved for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Carver was the first school in Wayne County to receive this accreditation.

 

By 1957, the faculty had increased to 45 and the student body had grown to 1,377 in enrollment.

 

Mr. E.K. Tolbert served as principal from 1957-1961. Mr. G. C. Hawley became principal in the fall of 1961. By 1967, the faculty had increased to 69 and student enrollment reached 1,750.

 

A steady decline in both faculty and students began in 1967 due to the consolidation and desegregation of the Wayne County School System.

 

The Class of 1970 was the last graduating class of Carver High School and at this point Carver had become full circle and once again became an elementary school.