WILSON’S MILLS – On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) held a groundbreaking ceremony for Wilson’s Mills High, the school district’s newest project. Attendees included graduates of the original Wilson’s Mills High, community members, City of Wilson’s Mills employees, members of the Wilson’s Mills Alumni Association, members of the Johnston County Board of Education, JCPS leadership and Johnston County commissioners.
The 25,000-square-foot facility, centrally located in Johnston County, is scheduled to open in fall 2026. It will house all the elements for learning in the 21st century and beyond. The high school, located at 517 Talton Farm Road, Wilson’s Mills, will have a capacity for 2,000 students in grades 9-12 and will feature a three-story academic wing and a two-story arts and athletic wing.
The school will be the 50th in JCPS and will go a long way in alleviating some of the school capacity issues resulting from exponential growth in the central Johnston County area. Wilson’s Mills High will have an immediate impact by alleviating overcrowding at Polenta, Cleveland, West View, McGee’s Crossroads, Dixon Road, Four Oaks and Wilson’s Mills elementary schools.
The modern design fully integrates the school district’s focus on creating safe learning and working environments. The main vestibule is highly visible and features multiple hardware access control points that create a layered security approach. It also features a total of 11 science labs, a 600-seat auditorium, an additional gymnasium, and unique learning spaces for an extensive course catalog and special programs.
There is a two-story common room that will serve as a dining hall, flexible learning space, or sports and community event space. The common room is also the meeting point between the arts and sports wing and the academic wing.
Johnston County is experiencing high levels of growth that have created capacity issues in the school district. JCPS, voters, local government entities and community stakeholders are committed to creating additional facilities, as demonstrated by the approval of the 2022 bond referendum that included construction of the high school. A bond referendum is a voting process that allows voters to decide whether to authorize a municipality to raise money by issuing municipal bonds.
“Some areas are struggling with slowed growth, which is causing some schools to close. We are glad that is not our problem,” said Landis Bullock, chair of the Friends of Johnston County Public Schools (FOJCPS) board. “With continued growth and the work of the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners, we will continue to build schools and provide excellent learning environments for students and perfect work spaces for educators.”
FOJCPS is a group of community volunteers who support bond referendum efforts across the county. The committee ensures the public is informed about the referendum process and the needs of the school district, and raises awareness of the committee’s many efforts.
Wilson’s Mills Mayor Fleta Byrd, an alumnus of the original school, is thrilled the school is in town. After many hours of planning, she is more excited than ever. “I’m so proud and so grateful,” said Byrd. “It brings the high school back!”
Jim Uzzle, president of the Wilson’s Mills High Alumni Association, and several other graduates attended the groundbreaking. The alumni association has 300 members. The original Wilson’s Mills High School was demolished in 1969 due to a lack of enrollment in the area.
The new Wilson’s Mills High will connect the past and future by retaining the Green Waves as its mascot. Alumni are confident that students and staff will maintain the level of achievement and goals achieved by their predecessors over 100 years ago. “Long live the Green Waves of Wilson’s Mills High School!” exclaimed Uzzle.
