Richmond County School System history

In 1896, the first “special” department was granted the school with Miss Nannie Earle Harris giving vocal instruction to the students.

Early records indicate that the first McBean School, located on Hephzibah-McBean Road, burned in 1926 and was replaced by another school consisting of two classrooms, an auditorium, a small office and two large hallways.

In 1927, one of the teachers developed a method of teaching reading by using the stereopticon machine.

In 1958, McBean had only 66 students and a delegation from the community petitioned the Board to close McBean School and bus their children to Hephzibah.

The first classes, comprising about 235 tenth graders only, twelve teachers and one principal, met in afternoon sessions at Murphy Junior High School until December, 1960, when they moved into the new structure on Lumpkin Road.

Literary 1967 First place in State Literary Meet

In 1970, Tutt became a junior high housing eighth and nineth graders.

When the Marine junior Reserve officers’ Training Corps was added to the curriculum in 1971, two portable buildings were moved to the campus for classrooms and offices; and later, another portable was added for military supplies, and an armory was constructed next to the stadium.

Art 1978-80 Four students had drawings published in the

Vocational 1979 First place in State “Miss F.BL.A.” and Numerous awards on the state level for Business Education.

1980 First place in shorthand in the State.

1985-86 Beth Moore won the Optimist International Zone 11 Georgia District essay competition.

Scholastic COACH Incorporated of New York City played a role in the selection process that took place in September of 1986.

1987-88 Peggy Theriault Monica Radford

Five football players was placed on the 11-member 1988 all-academic football team released by the Richmond County Board of Education Department of Athletics.

1993-94 Butler’s Show Choir made up of 24 members was in great demand by churches, schools, and other organizations.

The staff and 326 students relocated to the new McBean Elementary School on January 12, 1998.