Total enrollment
2,079
-76 (-4%) vs SY 2020-21
Wayne County
Tennessee · Public K-12
Wayne County reports 9 public K-12 schools to NCES, against a population of 16,168, with an average school size of 231 students. The level mix is 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Wayne County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
8
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Wayne County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Tennessee | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,079 | #76 of 90 | #2,194 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 8 | #64 of 90 | N/A |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 12.8% | #81 of 90 | #2,437 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Wayne County school rankings
Residents
16,168
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
1 districts
Enrollment
2,079
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$52,294
Below Tennessee avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
2
756 students
Middle
2
516 students
High
4
531 students
Combined / other
1
276 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Wayne County Public Schools
2,079 students · 1 district in Wayne County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Wayne County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
13.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.4%
civilian labor
Median age
44
16.5% under 18
Test scores in Wayne County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Tennessee state average: 40.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Collinwood High School· 47.0%
- Collinwood Elementary· 43.2%
- Wayne County High School· 42.6%
- Frank Hughes School· 34.6%
- Waynesboro Elementary· 31.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Waynesboro Middle School· 14.7%
- Collinwood Middle School· 28.3%
- Waynesboro Elementary· 31.1%
- Frank Hughes School· 34.6%
- Wayne County High School· 42.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesboro Elementary | Waynesboro | Elementary | PK-04 | 407 | · |
| Collinwood Elementary | Collinwood | Elementary | PK-04 | 349 | · |
| Waynesboro Middle School | Waynesboro | Middle | 05-08 | 278 | · |
| Frank Hughes School | Clifton | Combined | PK-12 | 276 | · |
| Wayne County High School | Waynesboro | High | 09-12 | 258 | · |
| Collinwood Middle School | Collinwood | Middle | 05-08 | 238 | · |
| Collinwood High School | Collinwood | High | 09-12 | 223 | · |
| Wayne County Virtual School | Waynesboro | High | 07-12 | 50 | · |
| Wayne County Technology Center | Waynesboro | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Wayne County
About Wayne County
In Tennessee, Wayne County is a sparse county of about 16,168 residents. 9 public schools across the county instructs about 2,079 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $52,294, 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 13% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 15% lower than the Tennessee median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Wayne County consists of 2 elementary schools (756 students), 2 middle schools (516), 4 high schools (531), and 1 combined or other schools.
Wayne County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,079 students across Wayne County.
Looking at the last 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Wayne County has contracted 4% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 2,155 students to 2,079.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Wayne County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data