School History

About Edythe Jones Hayes

Edythe Jones Hayes was born in 1933 in Selma, AL.  Mrs. Hayes began her distinguished career in education in 1953 in Lexington's Carver Elementary School.  Mrs. Hayes later became a principal before becoming the first African-American to be promoted to the position of deputy superintendent.

Mrs. Hayes was also the first African-American woman to serve on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees.  She retired in 1996 and passed away in 1999.  That year, the Fayette County school board voted to name the next middle school in the district after her.

About the Middle School

Edythe J. Hayes Middle School, named in her honor, was opened in 2004, then one of the most technologically advanced schools in the state.  In the years since, the school has become one of the largest middle school's in the state, and earned a reputation for its caring, nurturing environment, its dedication to academic excellence, and mission to develop responsible, respectful leaders.

Victoria Mundy was named the school's first principal in 2003.  After opening the school in 2004, Mrs. Mundy retired at the end of the inaugural school year.  

Sherri Jo Heise was named the school's second principal in July 2005.  Under Mrs. Heise's leadership, the school gained a reputation state wide for its commitment to academic excellence, as well as a strong culture and climate.  Mrs. Heise left the school in August 2012 after seven years, to become the Chief Academic Officer for Pike County Schools.

David Hoskins assumed the principalship in August 2012.  Mr. Hoskins, the school's long-time associate principal, helped re-develop the Accelerated Learning Program, and has helped continue the tradition of excellence at the school.

Phil Hyde, who began his career as a math teacher in 2012 at Hayes, was named principal in May 2024.