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Buildings

Oh how South has grown! I can’t believe that South Meck has been alive for almost 60 years! There have been many new buildings built, and many old buildings torn down. There have been many old clases cut, and new classes added. We have had many amazing teachers and administrators throughout the years. They have come and gone, but the passion they all have for the students here at South remains the same.

Let’s talk about the physical layout of South Meck. In 1959, South began as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H building. See the first map for locations. The gym was called A building, G was the cafeteria and music rooms, a large and small one. H building was for shop class. Sometime between 1985 and 2000, we had a “H” building, a “J” building, and a “P” building!. Our “A” building we have today was built around the 1990’s.

In 1959 when south opened their doors, the principal had a principal house on campus. It was located behind what is now the newer football practice field. The principal and his family would live in that house on campus so that it was easier for him. It seems very convenient if you ask me. However, this house is no longer used for this purpose today.

When South began, eighth and ninth grade was separate, and called junior high. CMS later added eighth grade to middle school and ninth grade to high school. Until the 2017-2018 school year, freshman were not kept separate. That year the school built a new “F” building instead of having just the lower mobiles for them. This building now has the new cafeteria and kitchen. It is absolutely stunning.

Classes

There are many classes offered here at south meck. Many of them have changed over time, been added, and have been taken away. Like for instance, Teen Parenting and Early Childhood Education. These classes are no longer offered at south. Early Childhood Ed. was just about anything surrounding the growth of children and teaching children. This class was very helpful for the teachers here at South because they could drop off their kids in a building located next to the football field and have free childcare. The students at South would learn how to care for and teach children, then walk them to their parent’s classroom at the end of the school day. This class is no longer offered due to budget cuts, but the class was offered all the way to the 2000’s.

A class that is offered now but wasn't before is Journalism. This class is fairly new and began this 2018-2019 school year. Students have the chance to research topics, interview people, and learn about journalism in the world today. Students then take that information and write stories or create podcasts and news presentations for the entire school. This is helpful for all of South because it is a nice easy way for the students to get the information they need while the students in this class learn valuable skills.

South Desegregation

South Meck was a high school built during a time of segregation. When the school opened up, CMS was still a very segregated school system, with separate schools for the black and white. Even after the Brown vs The Board of Education, the schools didn’t comply with the new laws. Finally, in 1957, black citizens moved to take advantage of their rights and attend white schools and make things equal.

Therefore in the early days at South, we had a separation of lunch rooms and bathrooms between the black and white students. The smaller lunch room and bathrooms across from it, in what is now “E” building, was for colored students. The bigger lunch room was where the white students would eat and use the bathrooms. This is now the new weight room, and the small cafeteria is now another room where students can sit down and eat after picking up their lunch in the “F” building cafe.

We are so happy that South has branched out and is now considered one of the most diverse schools in our area. We have certainly come a long way, and for the good.

Staff History

Our very first superintendent of CMS was T.J. Mitchell, and CMS was started in 1882. When CMS began, it was a segregated school system. In 1992, John Murphy, the superintendent, launched the magnet school program, and CMS started accepting some students through a lottery system.

The current superintendent of CMS is Dr. Wilcox. Before joining Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Dr. Wilcox had been the superintendent of Washington County Public Schools in Hagerstown, Md., since 2011. Previously, he served as superintendent of schools in Pinellas County, Fla., and East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana.

Closer

South Meck has come a long way from where we started. We have grown so much and come so far. We can’t wait to see how great south will do in it’s 60th year next school season.