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Needs Improvement

#2399 of 2,648 schools in NC

Southern Wayne High

High School · Wayne County Public Schools

124 Walter Fulcher Rd, Dudley, NC 28333

Enrollment

1,097

Student-Teacher

18.6:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,399 of 2,648

In Dudley

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#28 of 32

Wayne County Public Schools

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Southern Wayne High

3.9/10

High School in Dudley · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brogden Primary

5.9/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Brogden Middle

3.9/10

2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southern Wayne High

Southern Wayne High is a public high school in Dudley, NC, part of Wayne County Public Schools. Southern Wayne High serves approximately 1,097 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Wayne High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,399 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Wayne High show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.2
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Southern Wayne High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

49% of students at Southern Wayne High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness3.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate79%
AP Participation0.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,267
Chronic Absenteeism49.1%

Southern Wayne High — Students at Southern Wayne High score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 38.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
67%
ELA
44%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
12%
ELA
24%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
40%
2025
Math
34.1%
ELA
41.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

How Southern Wayne High Compares

See how Southern Wayne High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
9th percentile in NC
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
0.5% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

124 Walter Fulcher Rd, Dudley, NC 28333

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Wayne High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wayne School of Engineering (rated 8.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Goldsboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Duplin Jr Sr High (rated 6.4/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Mt. Olive), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Spring Creek High (rated 5.9/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Seven Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dudley, see our Dudley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Brogden Primary Dudley 1.4 mi 5.9
Brogden Middle Dudley 2.8 mi 3.9
Carver Elementary Mount Olive 3.7 mi 7.2
Mount Olive Middle Mount Olive 3.9 mi 4.0
Grantham Middle Goldsboro 6.5 mi 6.5
PATHWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro 7.8 mi 6.0
Carver Heights Elementary Goldsboro 8.3 mi 4.6
North Duplin Elementary Mt. Olive 8.4 mi 6.0
Dillard Middle Goldsboro 8.4 mi 2.7
Wayne School of Technical Arts Goldsboro 8.1 mi
North Duplin Jr Sr High Mt. Olive 8.6 mi 6.4
Grantham Elementary Goldsboro 7.4 mi 8.2
Dillard Academy Goldsboro 8.9 mi 5.4
Edgewood Cmty Developmental Goldsboro 9.7 mi 3.6
Wayne School of Engineering Goldsboro 9.9 mi 8.2
Goldsboro High Goldsboro 9.9 mi 2.8
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro 10.2 mi 5.5
Wayne Middle / High Academy Goldsboro 10.0 mi 5.1
Spring Creek High Seven Springs 8.5 mi 5.9
Meadow Lane Elementary Goldsboro 9.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28333 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,821

Median Home Value

$92,800

Median Rent

$859/mo

Population

10,433

College Educated

10.8%

Homeownership

64.8%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

27.1%

Median Age

32.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ashbrook High Gastonia, NC 3.9
Person High Roxboro, NC 3.9
West Craven High Vanceboro, NC 3.9
Douglas Byrd High Fayetteville, NC 4.0
James Kenan High Warsaw, NC 3.8
West Iredell High Statesville, NC 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Wayne High

What grades does Southern Wayne High serve?

Southern Wayne High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southern Wayne High?

Southern Wayne High has an enrollment of approximately 1,097 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Wayne High?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Wayne High is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Wayne High rank in NC?

Southern Wayne High ranks #2,399 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southern Wayne High's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Wayne High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Southern Wayne High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Wayne High has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southern Wayne High a charter school?

No, Southern Wayne High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southern Wayne High a Title I school?

No, Southern Wayne High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Wayne High?

99.0% of students at Southern Wayne High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,097
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Wayne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.1%
4-Year Graduation
79.0%

District

Wayne County Public Schools
District Enrollment
17,368
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,267
District Rank
#28 of 32

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