Anne Chesnutt Middle School

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Anne Chesnutt Middle School
Established	1938
Type	Public secondary
Principal	Mr. Tom Hatch
Grades	Sixth - Eighth Grade
Location	Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
District	Cumberland County Schools-District Two
Colors	Maroon and gold
Mascot	Hornets
Team	Anne Chesnutt Hornets
Website	acms.ccs.k12.nc.us

Anne Chesnutt Middle School is a year-round middle school and is part of Cumberland County Schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It is the only year-round middle school other than Reid Ross Classical School (although Reid Ross is a grade 6-12 classical school) in the county. It serves students grades 6-8 and feeds into Seventy-First High and Westover High Schools.

[edit] History

Anne Chesnutt Middle School is located west of the Cape Fear River at 2121 Skibo Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina. The school was founded by Professor Edward A. Armstrong, Principal of Cumberland County Training School.

African-American students on the west side of the river were attending school on the east side of the river; therefore, the construction of a second high school was greatly needed due to the crowded transportation and great distance the high school students traveled. Consequently, construction of Anne Chesnutt High School was begun in 1938 on Raeford Road southwest of Fayetteville with students entering the school in 1939 with grades eight through eleven. The school was named in honor of Mrs. Anne Chesnutt Waddell, Supervisor of County Education for Negro Schools.

Mr. Armstrong served as the first principal of the new frame constructed building. The school plant had several classrooms and an auditorium; cafeteria facilities were later added. The grades eight through eleven were changed in 1945 to grades nine through twelve.

Mr. William E. Murphy replaced Mr. Armstrong as principal in 1945. He continued to serve the school until his retirement in 1969. It was during his period of service that a modern brick building was constructed in 1957 on Highway 401 By-Pass (Skibo Road). The learning process is ongoing in that expanded facility.

From 1969 until 1975 the school facilitated ninth grade students only. Mr. William R. Hill served as the first principal of Anne Chesnutt Junior High School. During his tenure, the transition from racial segregation to integration was made. In order to accommodate the growing population, a new cafeteria was added. From 1969 until 1975, the school served ninth-grade students only.

In 1975. the school underwent more changes. It grew to accommodate grades seven through nine. On July 1 of that year, Mr. Gerald C. Patterson, former graduate of Anne Chesnutt High School, became the fourth principal in the short history of the school. After authorization by the Cumberland County Board of Education, a self study was initiated during April, 1976 for the purpose of becoming accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the School Association of Colleges and Schools.

Mr. Wayne F. Byrd took the administrative helm from 1982-1988 as the first Caucasian principal. Mr. Byrd was accredited for creating a positive image of Anne Chesnutt Junior High throughout the local community. Continued progress was experienced during his administration.

Ernest L. Freeman, a native of Cumberland County, served as principal from 1988-1995. A facilities program added new science labs, a computer lab, a more spacious media center, guidance offices, storage rooms, teachers' planning room and lounge, and an educational diagnostic center. Also, the transition from junior high school to middle school for grades six through eight was made in 1995.

Mr. Charles Hubbard, who assumed the position in 1996, initiated and supported growth through technological advancements. A choice program was established in Cumberland County which allowed Anne Chesnutt Middle School to choose a year-round schedule with a uniform dress code in 2000 for grades six through eight.

Dr. Marcia McMullin was named the principal of Anne Chesnutt Year-Round Middle School in 2001. She is the first principal with a doctorate and the first female to fill this position.

Mr. Hatch, the newest Principal, was welcomed the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year.