Wayne School of Engineering honored for 100 percent graduation rate
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 14, 2015 1:46 PM
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Gary Hales, right, principal at Wayne School of Engineering, is presented a plaque recognizing the school for having a 100 percent graduation rate during 2014-15 from Dr. June Atkinson, state schools superintendent.
Wayne School of Engineering was recently recognized by the state for having a 100 percent graduation rate.
At ceremonies in Durham on Tuesday, the school was one of 53 in North Carolina honored for having the highest four-year cohort graduation rates for 2014-15.
This marks the second year in a row for the distinction at the school, which opened in 2007 with 84 students. Enrollment last year was approximately 450 students.
Located on the Goldsboro High School campus, it offers an innovative curriculum in the STEM area, or science, technology, engineering and math. Students complete a rigorous courses in those subject areas while having the opportunity to complete college courses or seek a two-year degree.
WSE was initially started after receiving a planning grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It has amassed impressive credentials in the years since, officials said.
In 2009, it was selected by the N.C. New Schools Project as one of four school in the state to become a national "Learning Lab."
In 2012, it expanded to included middle grades. That same year, it was one of 12 schools in the country to be studied by a National Science Foundation team for the success of a STEM school.
In 2013, WSE began offering STEM Learning Center courses to middle grade students. The following year, Adobe courses were introduced to high school students.
To be eligible for the 100 Percent Graduation Club, schools have to be open at least four years and have 10 or more students in the cohort. For the past year, WSE had 79 students in the cohort.
Gary Hales, principal at WSE since its inception, attended the ceremony, where he was presented the award by Dr. June Atkinson, state schools superintendent.
Hales commended the students and staff for the latest achievement.
"The success of our graduation rate is directly correlated to the hard work of our staff and the support and personalized education that our school affords to each student," he said. "Since our opening, our focus has been to engage students in their learning through innovative instructional approaches that challenge students academically while keeping them coming back for more."
In recent years, the graduation rates have risen locally and across the state.
For 2014-15, the state had its all-time highest graduation rate, at 85.6. The rate of Wayne County Public Schools was 84.9 percent. It is calculated based upon the percentage of ninth graders who graduate from high school within four years.
In addition to the most recent list of 53 schools and 11 districts recognized, 82 high schools in the state also earned a graduation rate of 95 percent or greater and will receive a letter of recognition and certificate of achievement from the state superintendent.
One WCPS school made that list -- the district's other newest high school, Wayne Early/Middle College High School, which had previously been recognized four straight years for its 100 percent graduation rates.
The school, which opened in 2006, had a graduation rate last year of 98.4.