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Needs Improvement

#2523 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

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dudley

#3 of 3

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#523 of 579

In district

#32 of 32

Wayne County Public Schools

About Southern Wayne High

Southern Wayne High serves 1,097 students in grades 9-12 in Dudley, North Carolina, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 18.6:1 across 59 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school ranks in the 22nd percentile among North Carolina high schools, with academic performance showing room for growth as 42% of students achieve proficiency in both English Language Arts and Math. The school serves a community where the median household income is $37,477 and the median home value is $93,700.

With 31.3% of the area experiencing poverty and only 8% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, Southern Wayne High faces the meaningful challenge of supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds while working to strengthen academic outcomes. The school's substantial enrollment of over 1,000 students creates opportunities for diverse programming and peer connections, while the manageable class sizes allow teachers to provide more individualized attention. As students work toward graduation and post-secondary goals, the school continues focusing on student development and academic improvement.

Southern Wayne High is situated in a rural setting near town in Wayne County, serving the close-knit community of ZIP code 28333, which has a population of nearly 10,000 residents who value education as a pathway to opportunity.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Southern Wayne High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.9%
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,752

Southern Wayne High — Students at Southern Wayne High score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 24.4%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
39%
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: 6.0/10.

How Southern Wayne High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
5th percentile in NC
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers

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. Edgewood Cmty Developmental (rated 8.3/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Goldsboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wayne School of Engineering (rated 6.5/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Goldsboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wayne Middle / High Academy (rated 6.2/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Goldsboro), 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 7.4
Brogden Middle Dudley 2.8 mi 5.5
Carver Elementary Mount Olive 3.7 mi 8.8
Mount Olive Middle Mount Olive 3.9 mi 4.8
Grantham Middle Goldsboro 6.5 mi 7.0
PATHWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro 7.8 mi 6.0
Carver Heights Elementary Goldsboro 8.3 mi 5.6
North Duplin Elementary Mt. Olive 8.4 mi 7.7
Dillard Middle Goldsboro 8.4 mi 5.4
Wayne School of Technical Arts Goldsboro 8.1 mi
North Duplin Jr Sr High Mt. Olive 8.6 mi 4.5
Grantham Elementary Goldsboro 7.4 mi 8.5
Dillard Academy Goldsboro 8.9 mi 4.6
Edgewood Cmty Developmental Goldsboro 9.7 mi 8.3
Wayne School of Engineering Goldsboro 9.9 mi 6.5
Goldsboro High Goldsboro 9.9 mi 4.4
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro 10.2 mi 5.5
Wayne Middle / High Academy Goldsboro 10.0 mi 6.2
Spring Creek High Seven Springs 8.5 mi 6.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southern Wayne High has a median household income of $40,821. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,800, with a median rent of $859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Davidson High Lexington, NC 3.8
East Duplin High Beulaville, NC 3.8
East Rowan High Salisbury, NC 3.8
Erwin High Asheville, NC 3.8
Rocky River High School Mint Hill, NC 3.8
Seventy-First High Fayetteville, 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 is ranked #2523 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southern Wayne High's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Wayne High has a composite rating of 3.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Southern Wayne High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Wayne High has 24.4% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Elevated (1,183/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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