A checklist can be a helpful reminder when planning your next PCS. Here are two versions of an inbound-outbound checklist:

Quick checklist for school moves

School withdrawal/enrollment checklist 

Enrollment and withdrawal are done at individual schools. Please contact the individual school to make an appointment or to ask for further details. In general, items needed for enrollment may include (but not limited to) the following: student registration form; child's birth certificate; withdrawal form from previous school; 2 proofs of residence or paperwork from temp housing/base housing and your PCS orders; IEP or 504 information for students with special needs or accommodations. 

Transfer of Records 

When you are PCSing, it is most efficient to have a copy of your child's cumulative folder forwarded to the next school, or you may request a copy to hand-carry with your personal items, especially when you are moving overseas. Please inform your child's school counselor once you receive PCS orders so that she/he may help expedite the process. If you have any questions or navigation concerns, please contact the District Military Liaison at [email protected] or 919-738-0070. 

School Shopping  

For inbound families trying to secure housing, a typical question asked is which is the best school? Some families are most concerned with state testing data, or the age of the school building, or the size of the school population, or the extracurricular activities available. There are many factors to consider, and a better question may be which is the best school for my child? A few recommendations would include the following:

• look at particular facts and statistics about the school

• discuss your family's priorities and hopes

• consider each of your children's needs

• arrange school visits if you are able to visit the area before PCSing

• then find a good fit for each child and your family

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the District Military Liaison at [email protected] or 919-738-0070. The SJAFB School Liaison is also a great resource and can be reached at 919-722-5810. As well, you may contact individual schools. 

Please note that students attend school based on the address of residence. School reassignment is possible within the parameters set forth by the Wayne County Board of Education. Wayne County Public Schools Board of Education Policy No. 4130 - Guidelines for Pupil Assignment and Reassignment dictates school assignment.

School Directory 

Wayne County Public Schools has a total of 32 schools: 

13 elementary schools

9 middle schools

8 high schools

1 developmental school for students classified as mild to moderate, severe and profound mentally disabled

1 alternative school

You can refer to School Boundary maps for determining which school your students will attend. 

School Year Calendar   

The calendar is developed under guidelines North Carolina has in place for school calendars. Schools must be in session for 1,025 instructional hours and must begin no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26th and must end no later than the Friday closest to June 11th. If you have further questions about the school calendar, you may contact me during the school year at [email protected].

High School Schedule

Schedule: Students are on a block schedule, with 4 periods per day first semester; second semester brings 4 new classes. In general, much information pertinent to high school students can be located in the High School Registration Planning Guide.

Graduation Requirements

Wayne County Public Schools requires students to obtain 28 credits for graduation. The 28 credits are specific and designated under the "Future Ready Core".  Visit the high school registration planning guide to view diploma guidelines.  

Extracurricular Activities 

1) School athletics forms – 

• Bilingual_NCHSAASportsPreparticipationPhysicalExaminationForm 2020 2021.pdf 

• GW_SAPLG_ConcussionInform-20-21.pdf

2) Volunteer information 

3) Local sports: Boys & Girls Club, Family YMCA  , Goldsboro Parks & Rec , SJAFB Youth Sports

4) Arts: Arts Council, Stagestruck: The Young People's Own Theatre 

Base Pen Pal 

Sign up for WINK: A Youth Sponsorship Program! Youth ages 5-18 who are PCSing to or from Seymour Johnson AFB may sign up for a pen pal and learn about the base before your arrival. (U18 with parent's permission). A great way to make new friends and connect with kids your age! Complete the Pen Pal/Youth Sponsorship Request Form. Program coordinated through the SJAFB Youth Center: 919.722.0502. 

Unique Programs 

Wayne School of Engineering - This application-based school offers students in grades 6th through 12th an exciting opportunity to receive a personalized education with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through project-based and inquiry-based instruction. All students take honors level high school courses and college level courses, and have the opportunity to complete an Associate Degree. Please note that inbound military families interested in this opportunity should contact the SJAFB School Liaison or the WCPS District Military Liaison to inquire. There is typically a PCS lottery at the end of July and at the beginning of December. Contact SJAFB School Liaison to confirm eligibility for PCS lottery: 919-722-5810.

Wayne Early/Middle College High School - Located at Wayne Community College, this innovative high school was formed for the purpose of creating a small, personalized and academically rigorous experience. Students complete NC graduation requirements and have the opportunity to graduate with an Associate Degree. Students may only enter as ninth graders and are accepted through an application process.

Multi-age Program at Meadow Lane Elementary - Designed as a two to three year program to build a community of learning with the teachers, students and parents. Incoming kindergarten and first graders, and if room allows, an occasional second grader are accepted. Incoming military families submit a parent request for the program by May for the upcoming school year, and requests later than May would be considered on a space-available basis. For further information, contact Jennifer Heim: [email protected].

Edgewood Community Developmental School - A school designed to provide, within the framework of the public schools, appropriate educational and training programs for students classified as mild to moderate, severe and profound mentally disabled who require intervention beyond that provided by other special education programs in attaining full educational benefits.

NC Virtual Public School - This program provides a wide range of courses, from general high school courses to Advanced Placement. All courses are taught by teachers certified to teach that subject in North Carolina. Information about NCVPS courses is available at www.ncvps.org. Interested students should meet with the school counselor to determine eligibility. 

Career and College Promise - Career and College Promise is a concurrent enrollment program between Wayne County Public Schools and Wayne Community College that will allow juniors and seniors to complete high school graduation requirements and earn college level credits. Eligible juniors and seniors may select courses from the College Transfer Pathway or Career Technical Education Pathway. Details are available at each high school and on WCC's website.

Testing Information 

To examine particular demographic, school and testing data for each district, visit NC's report card website.

Here are the "big" state-required accountability tests that students have to take: 
End-of-grade tests in grades 3-8 in reading and math (EOG) 
Science tests in grades 5 and 8 
End-of-course tests in Biology, NC Math I and III, English II (EOC) 

Students enrolled in kindergarten through 2nd grade are given reading assessments every nine weeks. Each assessment takes less than 10 minutes and involves a student reading directly to a teacher. Students may not even realize they are being assessed.

Students in grades 3 through 8 in North Carolina's public schools spend approximately 10 hours out of 1,025 instructional hours per year taking state end-of-grade tests. 

At the high school level, students take a final exam for each course they are taking. So, if a student takes eight courses a year, they would take eight final exams. Among these end-of-course tests, there are three required assessments developed at the state level: Biology, NC Math I and/or NC Math III, and English II. These end-of-course tests are final exams in the course. Typically, students take these courses at the 9th and 10th grade. The proficiency rates on these tests are used as a part of the General Assembly's A-F Accountability System. 

Exceptional Children/Special Education 

When a military family with exceptional children is preparing to move, it is important to begin communication with us. WCPS works diligently to help smooth transitions, and communicating and previewing an inbound student's IEP can be critical in the PCS process. Please contact the EC Department Lead Administrator via email at: [email protected] As well, military families with exceptional/special needs children should hand-carry a copy of the IEP in order to receive services as quickly as possible. If you have questions regarding the WCPS Exceptional Children Program, visit the program website. If you have questions about individual schools' specific procedures, please contact the particular school.  

It is the school's responsibility to provide services: In compliance with the federal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C.A. Section 1400 et seq, the receiving state shall initially provide comparable services to a student with disabilities based on his/her current Individualized Education Program (IEP); and 2) In compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C.A. Section 794, and with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.A. Sections 12131-12165, the receiving state shall make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of incoming students with disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan, to provide the student with equal access to education. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.  

*Also, visit the exceptional children website to locate various resources.