Voluntary integration began in the early 60s when the first African-American students chose to attend Rocky Mount Senior High School under the Freedom of Choice law.

A small black student population was maintained at Rocky Mount Senior High until the two schools were merged in 1969.

The 240,000 square foot, $32 million facility has been completed on a near 61-acre (250,000 m2) parcel on the north side of Bethlehem Road—between West Mount Drive and Old Mill Road.

[6] Rocky Mount High has had several successful athletic teams and has won 13 NCHSAA state championships.

The marching band was the Grand Champion at BOA regional championships in Cullowhee, North Carolina (1983), Johnson City, Tennessee (1984), and Morgantown, West Virginia (1985, 1986, 1987).