The Mayo High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) is a private, 501c3, non-profit organization. The purpose of this organization is to maintain interest and benevolence among former students, educator’s, parents, employees, and affiliates of
Around the year 1890, public education in Darlington County began for Negroes. One of the early buildings the state and county used for the education of Negroes, was located on Pearl Street; now Darlington Motel. Later in the year 1890, the school board purchased the land where the present Agricultural Building is located.
A white gentleman, known as Dr. Mayo, spoke and aroused the interest of the people in education. As one of the main individuals in the establishment of the school, it was named after him. Mayo School was founded as an all-Negro school under strict segregationist traditions of that era. The school was of highest caliber and certified college preparatory.
On the land purchased by the school board, a building of four very spacious rooms with large halls dividing two rooms on either side was constructed. All schoolwork, elementary and high school, was done in this building. The school remained on this site until 1914.
In 1914, a new building was constructed on the block between Jessamine and Chestnut Streets, facing Pine Street. There were twelve classrooms and an auditorium in this building. Later, this building burned and a new brick twenty-four room school was constructed on Chestnut Street. On February 8, 1947, this twenty-four room building was destroyed by fire. Plans began for a new building. During this time classes continued in various public buildings and churches throughout the city.
In 1949, Mayo was rebuilt, consisting of nineteen classrooms. Since the completion of the main building, which housed both elementary and high school students, has grown continually. To keep abreast of the increased enrollment, the I.P. Brockington and J.L. Cain Elementary Schools were constructed in 1952. Pine Junior High School was added to the city school system in 1963. Mayo High School no longer exists, since it was merged by Federal Judge with St. John’s High School, in circa 1994. On the old site, using the same but greatly enhanced facilities, is “Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology”.
During it’s more than 100 years of existence, Mayo High School produced scores of graduates, who became exemplary professionals in various careers throughout the world.