Samuel B. Darnell was a Methodist minister who moved to Jacksonville to serve as pastor of Ebenezer Methodist-Episcopal Church.

It was the first institution of higher education for African-Americans in the state of Florida specializing in the religious and academic preparation of teachers.

Under the leadership of Darnell, the school served thousands of young black men and women until it was destroyed in the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901.

There were special courses in normal training, music, domestic science, public speaking, printing, business, and agriculture.

Middle-graders may complete math through Geometry and Science through Biology—high school-level courses to meet the graduation requirement.

Students take an intensive and rigorous course load each year with extra emphasis on the sciences, math, and humanities.