Wilson’s Mills High New Campus Unveiled at Grand Opening Ceremony

Wilson’s Mills High New Campus Unveiled at Grand Opening Ceremony

SMITHFIELD, NC - On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) held a grand opening ceremony for the new Wilson’s Mills High School. The event, hosted by the Johnston County Board of Education, welcomed students, staff, families, community members, members of JCPS leadership, local dignitaries, and the Wilson’s Mills High Alumni Association to celebrate the completion of the district’s 50th school.

The historic event began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by JCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pearce as attendees and distinguished guests looked on with excitement and anticipation. Following the ribbon-cutting, guests made their way to the auditorium for the grand opening ceremony. Their excitement could barely be contained as they took in the contemporary design, mixed with murals showing students and staff from the original high school lining the hallways.

Once inside the 600-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, Wilson’s Mills High School Principal Chad Jewett welcomed guests, expressing his gratitude and thanks to all who made Wilson’s Mills High School a reality. “I am not only blessed to serve the students and families in such a beautiful facility, but I am also blessed to serve alongside an amazing staff,” he commented.

JCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pearce continued the historic occasion with welcome remarks. “Wilson’s Mills High is a first of its kind in a long time, with a three-story design that provides abundant learning spaces while maintaining a connected centralized environment where students and staff can collaborate, learn, and grow together,” he stated.

Dr. Pearce also reflected on the journey that led to the completion of the school, thanking Johnston County voters, who approved the 2022 bond referendum, the Johnston County Commissioners, the Friends of Johnston County Public Schools (FOJCPS) Bond Committee, the JCPS Facilities and Construction team, the Wilson’s Mills High Alumni Association, and all who were involved. 

Guest speakers also included Johnston County Board of Education Chair Lyn Andrews, Johnston County Board of Commissioners Chair Patrick Harris, Wilson’s Mills High Alumni Association President Aiden Lee, and a special prayer by Dr. Sherrill Stevens. 

The event continued with another memorable moment with the dedication of the media center in honor of Herberta and Jim Uzzle, consisting of presentations and a ribbon-cutting. Jim and Herberta’s son, Jim Uzzle. accepted the plaque on behalf of the family with his three sisters, Betsy Uzzle Meldau, Tucker Uzzle Twisdale, and Jenny Uzzle Kitzmiller, and other family members looking on.

At the conclusion of the library dedication, guests had the opportunity to take guided tours of the school, exploring elements of 21st-century learning, including 11 science labs and unique learning spaces that support a robust course catalog and special programs. With the capacity for 2,000 students in grades 9-12, Wilson’s Mills High’s contemporary design includes a three-story academic wing, a two-story arts and athletics wing, and an auxiliary gymnasium.

The contemporary design is also fully integrated with multiple hardware access-control points, creating a multi-layered security approach and continuing the school district’s focus on creating safe and secure learning and work environments.

The high school is especially poignant for the Town of Wilson’s Mills. Previously, there was a K-12 school in the town that graduated its last class in 1969 before closing due to low enrollment. Wilson’s Mills High bridges the past and the future in several ways, one of the most significant being the retention of the Green Wave mascot. Other design elements that pay homage to the past include murals featuring photographs of students and staff from the original high school displayed in various locations in the 278,000-square-foot building.

Principal Jewett, Assistant Principal Dr. Andres Restrepo, and Assistant Principal Brittany Weaver will welcome students to the school on August 24, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic year. The school will immediately alleviate district-wide capacity challenges stemming from growth in the central Johnston County area and provide a great learning environment for its students. 

The Green Waves legacy lives on for generations to come
 

PHOTO1: (First row, from left): JC Board of Education members Kay Carroll, Terry Tippett, April Lee, Vice-Chair Kevin Donovan, Chair Lyn Andrews, Superintendent Dr. David Pearce, Principal Chad Jewett, Legislator Donna McDowell White, Cabinet member Linda Edmundson, Board of Commissioners members, Chair Patrick Harris, Ted Godwin, Mike Rose, and Bill Stovall; (Second row, from left): JCPS Cabinet members Patty Whittington, William Weaver, Kim Young, Marlon Watson, Billy Massengill, Leigh White, Ken Byrd, Richard Carr and County Manager Rick Hester stand in front of Wilson’s Mills High to mark the historical moment with a photograph before the ribbon-cutting.