History of Westside

In 1924, the Isle of Wight County School Board agreed they would provide teachers and supplies for a black school, provided that the black community would collect donations for property and a schoolhouse. In 1928, the Isle of Wight Training School opened in an eight room brick building on seven acres of land, replacing the Riverview school. By 1940, the school had reached an enrollment of 165. It was renamed Westside High School in 1960. Westside won the state championship in football in 1966. In 1969, schools in the county were integrated, and the high school-age student body was transferred to Smithfield High School, then located on James Street. The building became Smithfield Elementary School. The facility became Westside once again in 2005 with the opening of a new Smithfield Middle School.