Two county schools selected for demonstration sites
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 5, 2016 1:46 PM
Wayne County's two newest schools have been selected to be demonstration sites for educators, policy makers and community leaders from North Carolina and other states, officials announced Thursday.
The local innovative high schools, Wayne Early/Middle College High School, or WEMCHS, and Wayne School of Engineering, were among 16 schools chosen from across the state as a N.C. New Schools/Breakthrough Learning School of Innovation and Excellence.
Since their inception, both schools have excelled in high graduation rates, some years achieving 100 percent, and students earning associates degrees and college credit while completing their high school education.
WEMCH, located on the Wayne Community College campus, opened in the fall of 2006.
WSE, housed at Goldsboro High School, opened in the fall of 2007 and has produced a strong STEM program, an acronym for the curriculum targeting science, technology, engineering and math. In 2012, the high school began adding middle school students, adding a grade each year until it became a grades 6-12 school.
"These two schools were selected by N.C. Schools for their innovative practices, academic excellence and commitment to college and career readiness for all students, including those that are traditionally underserved," Dr. Michael Dunsmore, superintendent, said. "As a N.C. School/Breakthrough Learning School of Innovation and Excellence, each school will host half-day 'Learning Tours' and two-day professional development 'Study Visits' in order to demonstrate best practices and innovative approaches for continuous improvement to address existing and emerging challenges."
N.C. New Schools said that schools were judged according to six design principles of the Breakthrough Learning School program: ready for college, powerful teaching and learning, personalization, redefined professionalism, purposeful design and leadership.
WEMCH and WSE were chosen based on their demonstrated use of the design principles to foster student centered learning, including a culture of collaboration, and a personalized approach to support college and career readiness. Student growth, ACT scores and other performance measures and indicators were also evaluated as part of the selection process.
Gary Hales has been principal at Wayne School of Engineering since it opened.
"This recognition is due to the hard work of teachers, students, and parents, and the willingness of all stakeholders to look at education from a fresh perspective," he said.