The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in Science. The lowest is 14% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Wayne Middle / High Academy
Wayne Middle / High Academy is an alternative school in Goldsboro serving grades 6 through 12, with a very small enrollment. The school enrolls fewer than 40 students spread across the middle and high school grades, with the largest cohort in the ninth grade. The vast majority of enrolled students—well over 85 percent—qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the school's role serving a student population facing substantial economic hardship. The enrollment is predominantly Black, with smaller numbers of white students and a few students of other racial backgrounds.
As an alternative school, Wayne Middle / High Academy serves a different population and mission than traditional public high schools. Alternative schools typically enroll students who have struggled in mainstream settings, whether due to academic difficulty, attendance patterns, behavioral challenges, behavioral health needs, or other circumstances that made traditional school placement unsuccessful. The school is positioned to provide a smaller, more structured or individualized learning environment. Given the very low enrollment, this is an intimate setting, not a large peer group.
The school's most recent test results show extremely low proficiency. In English language arts, about one in seven students tested met proficiency standards. In mathematics, the proficiency rate was below five percent—in fact, no students scored at proficient level in math. Science testing showed similar results, with about one in seven students proficient. These numbers are not a surprise for an alternative setting serving students with significant prior academic gaps, but they underscore that students enrolling here are arriving with substantial unmet academic needs. A parent considering this placement should understand that the school does not primarily serve students on a college-preparatory track; rather, it works with students whose prior academic trajectory has not been successful in traditional settings.
In February 2024, the Wayne County Board of Education approved a district-wide facilities consolidation. As part of that plan, Wayne Middle / High Academy relocated to a modular suite at Eastern Wayne High in the 2024-25 school year, leaving its previous location. The consolidation was designed to generate operational savings for the district. For families, this means the school's physical location and facility resources changed, which could affect daily routines, transportation, and the school's ability to offer certain programs.
State testing data for grades 9 through 12 was not available, so the full picture of high school achievement remains incomplete. The performance numbers reported above cover only the middle school grades tested. A parent interested in understanding high school outcomes and program offerings should reach out to the school directly, as those details were not present in the available data.
Goldsboro itself is the county seat of Wayne County in eastern North Carolina, anchored by a revitalized downtown with pedestrian improvements and a new transit center, combined with suburban highway corridors and the influence of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Housing in the area is relatively affordable, and the community has been investing in downtown development. For families considering an alternative school placement, proximity to Eastern Wayne High, where Wayne Middle / High Academy now operates, and access to Goldsboro's community resources and transit options are relevant practical factors.
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