DuBois High School

DuBois High School, more recently known as Mount Hope High School.

Mark Bollinger

Quick Facts

Location:

Mount Hope, WV

Significance:

DuBois School, named after Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, an educator and civil rights leader on the staff of Howard University in Washington, DC., was the first high school for African Americans in Fayette County.

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

African American Heritage Driving Tour Stop 11: Integration of West Virginia Schools

In 1906 a levy was passed in Fayette County to establish the county’s first high schools, one for white children and one for black children. Eleven years later, this became a reality for African American students when an eight room brick building was erected in 1917 on the hill above Dunloop Creek, across from the present day Mount Hope High School. The school was named after Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, an educator and civil rights leader on the staff of Howard University in Washington, DC.

DuBois High School offered many classes such as home economics, French, chemistry, world history, math, and English. Students could participate in the band that performed at football games and competitions. Boy’s football and basketball were the school’s main team sports. Girls could join the cheerleading squad, but there were no other sports for girls.

Tragedy struck in 1950, when the original schoolhouse was destroyed by fire. On January 30, 1954, the new DuBois High School opened its doors, again as an all-black high school. Two years later, in the fall of 1956, DuBois High School and the all-white high school in Mount Hope integrated and the school was renamed Mount Hope High School.

For the full story go to: Integration of Schools: DuBois High School; Mount Hope, WV

Other nearby places of interest:

DuBois on Main Museum
Mount Hope

Driving Directions:

Physical Address: 110 High School Drive, Mount Hope, WV 25880
GPS Coordinates: N37.898051 -W81.157067

From Beckley, WV: Take Highway 19 north to the exit for Mount Hope, WV. Turn left off of Highway 19 onto the exit for Mount Hope. At the bottom of the exit turn right onto Stadium Terrace Road and drive into Mount Hope. Turn left on Main Street. Go to and turn right on Virginia Street. Go 0.1 mile and turn left on High School Drive. Park at the entrance to school

From Fayetteville, WV: Take Highway 19 south to the exit for Mount Hope, WV. Turn right off of Highway 19 onto the exit for Mount Hope. At the bottom of the exit turn right onto Stadium Terrace Road and drive into Mount Hope. Turn left on Main Street. Go to and turn right on Virginia Street. Go 0.1 mile and turn left on High School Drive. Park at the entrance to school

Directions to the next Tour Stop:

Slab Fork
Physical Address: 374 Slab Fork Road, Slab Fork, WV 25920
GPS Coordinates: N37.686920 -W81.330368

From Mt. Hope High School, return to Hwy 16 South and turn right. Travel to the four lane at Highway 19 and turn right onto the four lane toward I-77/I-64. Take I-77 South to exit 42 and turn right onto Hwy 16 South. Travel 3 miles and continue straight using the left lane onto Highway 121 (Coalfield Expressway). Travel 4 miles to Slab Fork Road and turn right. Travel into Slab Fork. Tour Stop and parking is at the old post office.

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