About Carol W. Hayes High and Hayes K-8
OUR HISTORY
The need for a secondary school in the eastern section of Birmingham was conceived. It was erected in the eastern section of Birmingham on a seventeen acre tract of land on 43rd Street and Georgia Road (later designated Airport Highway).
The facility was named for the outstanding Birmingham educator and then Director of Negro Schools of the city, Dr. Carol W. Hayes
The initial stage of construction, consisting of eighteen classrooms, an office, a temporary library, and a lunchroom, was completed in 1960. In September 1960, 622 students in grades nine through eleven were enrolled by Hayes’ first principal, Augustus C. Dickinson.
The staff consisted of one counselor, one registrar, and twenty-two teachers. Almost immediately a band, a choir, and an athletic program were organized.
By September 1961, a second wing of the building had been completed and the twelfth grade was added. The first graduating class of Hayes High School completed its work in May of 1962. The class President and Valedictorian of the first class were respectively Jerry Lewis and Annie C. Calhoun.
In 1962, a third wing was added which included a gymnasium, a home economics section, and a temporary industrial arts room. In fact, the entire year proved eventful. A thirty unit language laboratory was completed, equipment was provided for a business education program, and an exhaustive self-study in preparation for a review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools was initiated. The self-study proved fruitful when in 1964 Hayes High School was granted accreditation by the Association.
In 1965, the faculty, staff, and student body welcomed its second principal, John B. Norman. Mr. Norman, who was the unanimous choice of the Board of Education for the position, concentrated on academic excellence and produced improvements in the instructional program and enriched classroom activities.
The school’s physical expansion did not cease. By September of 1967, the vocational section of the third wing, the library, and the auditorium complex were ready for occupancy.
On May 5, 1968, Carol William Hayes High School was dedicated. The speaker for this occasion was Dr. Raymond Christian, Superintendent of Schools. On display for the occasion was the C.W. Hayes Book Collection, made possible by a donation from the Birmingham Progressive Education Association.
In its first twelve years, the enrollment at Hayes increased from its original 622 students to the 1972-73 enrollment of 1,220 and the staff grew to 67 members.
1989 saw a temporary halt to Hayes as a High school, when it was converted to a middle school. The middle school lasted until August 2003 when it became a high school again. The first principal of the "New" Hayes High School was Dr. Raymond Reddick. In the spring of 2004, Hayes High School welcomed their second principal, Mrs. Vanessa G. Byrd. In the fall of 2006, Mr. Fred H. Stewart, III was appointed as the third principal welcomed by Carol W. Hayes High School where he served until 2007. In 2007, a 1975 graduate of Hayes High was appointed principal, Dr. Anthony Gardner. Dr. Gardner concentrated on improving the academics for six week grades and test scores. Amazing improvements were made, but the Birmingham School Board voted to close the doors of Hayes High School. The last graduating class was the Class of 2008. The President and Valedictorian of the last class of 2008 were respectively Robert Ward and Edna Lavender.
At its beginning, Hayes High School dubbed itself “Pacesetter.” It was young and had made relative little history, but as the years went by, the school had a solid foundation for many years. Hayes High School's mascot was/is an eagle, a bird that soars high. The school's mascot name was/is "Pacesetter", named by Dr. Dickinson. The name "PACESTTER" proved fittingly proper as determined by the achievements of its products -- its students. In the years of Hayes High School, many scholarships were received, including two Bill Gates scholarships.
Among the school’s notable achievements and events over the years are the following:
1962 First place winner in the Birmingham News
Extemporaneous Speaking Contest
1963 National Scholastic Art Award
Big Five Conference Football Championship
JCAA Football Championship
1963-65 Best Majorette Award in the Alabama A&M Band F.
1964 First Place in District and State Elks Oratorical
Contest
Best Marching Band Award in the Alabama A&M
State Festival
1964-66 Big Five Conference Basketball Championships
1966 First Black All-American in the State of Alabama,
Elvin Ivory (Basketball)
First Alabama Athlete to participate in the
Pittsburgh Round Bowl: Elvin Ivory
1967-72 Awards in Chemistry and Biology in State and
Regional Science Fairs
1974-76 Girls’ State Basketball Championship
Girls’ State Track Championship
1976 Boys’ State Basketball Championship
1981-82 Boys’ State Basketball Championship
1985 Several students selected for the McDonald’s All
American Band
1987 Hayes won the 5A State Championship Boys
Basketball
1988 Band took All State and All City Honors
Demolition of the school building was completed March 2009. The physical doors of Hayes High School may be closed, but "Dear Hayes High" will forever remain in the hearts of every Pacesetter. Hayes High School is where memories were made and where quality educational instructions were received.
The ultra-modern Hayes K-8 opened its doors August 2012. Pacesetter history continues to be made. The current principal is Mr. Jerone Wiggins.