Rebecca Carthens

AGENCY OVERVIEW
RED SPRINGS MIDDLE & PETERSON ELEMENTARY

NAME: Red Springs Middle School

WEBSITE: http://www.robeson.k12.nc.us/rsms

History & Mission

HISTORY: Red Springs Middle School is a rural town middle school of about
571 students. It is located in the town of Red Springs, NC, in the
Southwestern part of Robeson County. The schools population is 35%
American Indian, 25% African American, 28% Hispanic and 5%, Caucasian or
other ethnic groups (6%). The towns population closely mimics the schools
population. Red Springs Middle School serves students from grades 5 through
8.
MISSION: The mission of the Public Schools of Robeson County and Red
Springs Middle School is to educate all students by building a foundation for
learning in an ever-changing global society.

NAME: Peterson Elementary School

WEBSITE: http://www.robeson.k12.nc.us/peterson

History
As the first black institution in Red Springs, North Carolina, Peterson Elementary School was
originally known as the Red Springs Colored School and was located near the present
location of Morris Funeral Home. In 1910, the school was designated as an elementary
school (grades 1-7). From 1929-1932, the school added grades 8-12, with the first high
school class graduating in 1933.
The school was named Peterson High in 1958 in honor of Mr. John Truman Peterson who
remained as principal until his retirement in 1965. In 1969, the Red Springs School System
was integrated. Peterson became an elementary school for grades kindergarten through
fifth.
On March 28, 1984, Peterson Elementary was destroyed by a tornado and within four days
the teachers and students began sharing the middle and high school facilities. After a short
time, mobile classrooms were placed on the middle and high school campuses to house
Peterson students. In 1986, the 561 students and 28 teachers of Peterson moved into a
new modern facility on the site of the previous old school.

Mission
It is our mission to prepare our students for the future by building a
foundation that instills values, self-esteem and passion for lifelong learning
while embracing diversity on all levels.

THE END