Opening the School
West Edgecombe School was completed in 1923 with a one-story building containing an auditorium, also used as a gymnasium, and six classrooms to accommodate students from the 11th, 13th, and 14th townships. Prior to this time, students who continued their education beyond the elementary level attended school in Rocky Mount. In 1928, the high school and elementary schools (Dixie, Pleasant Hill, Powell, Oakdale, Nobles Mill, Progress, Oak Grove, and Juvenile) were consolidated. The old school building was then used as a gymnasium, a lunchroom, a home economics department, and an agriculture department.

Building Additions
A new gymnasium was constructed in 1949, and a new agriculture building was added in 1953. The old high school building was converted into classrooms. A primary building was added in 1951, which helped to relieve the crowded conditions that existed in the high school. A new high school building was constructed for grades nine through twelve in 1962.

In recent years, several additions have been added to the campus. A new lunchroom was built and connected by a foyer to the gymnasium. The gymnasium was completely renovated and enlarged in 1969. In 1984, to protect the students from the weather, a new enclosed hallway was built connecting the buildings to the lunchroom and gymnasium. In 2001, a new media center was constructed and five new classrooms were added.

School Integration
In 1969, West Edgecombe High School and Carver High School of Pinetops were integrated. In 1970, West Edgecombe High School and Phillips High School of Battleboro were also integrated, thus making this county entirely desegregated. West Edgecombe School grew from 92 students with five faculty members to 889 students under the directions of 57 faculty members. Due to the increased enrollment and the varied interest of the students, new courses were included to stimulate the interest of students to continue their education. West is now a "true" middle school serving grades 6-8.

School Goals
West Edgecombe in the past has been a focal point of one community, but it is now committed to students of many communities. The school strives to be an educational institution for the varied geographical, vocational, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of all students.