Summary:
Zip code 27530 in Goldsboro, NC is home to three high schools within Wayne County Public Schools: Wayne School of Engineering (grades 6–12), Rosewood High (grades 9–12), and Goldsboro High (grades 9–12), all serving very high-poverty student populations where roughly 97–99% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
The standout school is Wayne School of Engineering, which ranks in the 80th percentile statewide (4 stars) and vastly outperforms its district and peers. Despite nearly universal poverty, its chronic absenteeism is just 5.1%, and its EOC proficiency rates are extraordinary: 96.5% in English II, 81% in Biology, and 81.8% in Math III—far above state averages. Its middle school EOG scores are also exceptional, with 8th grade science at 98.5% proficient. By contrast, Goldsboro High ranks in the 21st percentile (1 star), with 54.1% chronic absenteeism, a 63.5% graduation rate, and very low proficiency in Math I (24.8%) and English II (32.4%). It has shown improvement from a 0-star rating in 2023–24, but remains a high-priority school. Rosewood High sits in the middle—ranked in the 40th percentile (2 stars), with a solid 89.7% graduation rate and near-average EOC scores in Biology and English II. However, Rosewood slipped from the 53rd to 40th percentile this year, and its Math III proficiency dropped sharply from 65.6% to 44.7%.
Parents will notice that funding does not explain outcomes: Goldsboro High spends the most per student ($11,741) yet performs the worst, while Wayne School of Engineering spends the least ($7,192) and achieves the best results. The strongest predictor of success here is chronic absenteeism—Goldsboro’s rate is more than ten times Wayne’s. For families prioritizing academic rigor and consistent attendance, Wayne School of Engineering is clearly the top choice in this area, while Rosewood offers a more typical experience and Goldsboro faces serious challenges, despite recent progress.
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