The original Thomas Sewell Inborden Elementary School was situated on sixteen acres in the southern part of Enfield, North Carolina, on East Hannon Street. The school's origins trace back to Sandy Lyons Hall on Pope Street, with John Love serving as the principal. In 1923, a graded school was constructed through the collaborative efforts of parents and the town of Enfield.

By 1925, the demand for a new school led to the construction of the “New Graded School” on the Hannon Street site. Unfortunately, in 1945, the building was destroyed by fire, and local churches were utilized as makeshift classrooms. In 1946, a new elementary building was completed and named T.S. Inborden in honor of Thomas Sewell Inborden, a respected Black educator and president of Bricks Junior College in Bricks, North Carolina. In 1954, a high school building was added on the east side of the campus, followed by a modern elementary building on the west campus in 1960. An agricultural building was also constructed in 1961 on the easternmost part of the campus.

When schools began to integrate in 1969, Inborden transitioned into an elementary school, serving students in grades K-8. During this time, a lunchroom was added, and the agricultural building was renovated and transformed into a new media center. Due to district reorganization between 1981-83, Inborden shifted from a union school (Grades 1-12) to an elementary school (Grades PreK-5). Today, it operates under the Halifax County Board of Education, funded by federal, state, and local governments.

After years of planning and advocacy, a new Inborden Elementary School was constructed on 35 acres of land off Highway 481 in the Enfield area. In January 2008, students and staff relocated to the new facility. In July 2017, the school was renamed "Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy."