With the closing of J. H. Hayswood in 1965, the newly constructed South Lumberton Jr. Sr. High School, located south of Lumberton off Highway 41, opened its doors, for grades 7 thru 12. The campus consisted of five buildings to include classrooms, a gymnasium complete with lockers and showers, an auditorium with theater seating, a band room and cafeteria. In addition, there were tennis courts, football, baseball and softball fields.
While the new school, built in the heart of the black community, was a welcomed sign of improved educational advancement, it was to be short-lived. The school would be existence for only four years. As the country was going through trying times, uncertain political unrest, wars, and racial turmoil, the school would find itself caught up in a massive reorganization plan. In 1969, the principal, George H. Young, wrote: "The projected plan of desegregation of the Lumberton Schools calls for a "bidding of farewell" to the senior high department of South Lumberton Jr. Sr. High. Certainly, those who depart from here should leave with the idea that they are doing their best to cope with the problems and should be active participants in making this world a better place in which to live."
In 1970, the former South Lumberton Jr. Sr. High became Lumberton Jr. High School, an integrated school, serving students in grades 8 and 9.
