Total enrollment
2,079
-237 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
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.
7-year change in Wayne County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
8
+1 (+14%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
93%
was 96%
% Hispanic
3%
was 2%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
9
1 districts
Enrollment
2,079
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 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Wayne County has contracted 10% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 2,316 students to 2,079. The school count climbed from 7 to 8 across the same 7-year window.
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
Wayne County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data