Top Rankings
Johnston County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 39 public elementary schools serving 25,429 students in Johnston County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Johnston County School District have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
48 Schools
2,174 Schools
# Students
37,227 Students
1,091,007 Students
# Teachers
2,426 Teachers
73,903 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
District Rank
Johnston County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#130 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
51%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
50%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
63%

Graduation Rate
92%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
0.72
# American Indian Students
86 Students
12,383 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
338 Students
47,310 Students
% Asian Students
1%
4%
# Hispanic Students
11,160 Students
227,576 Students
% Hispanic Students
30%
21%
# Black Students
6,838 Students
268,051 Students
% Black Students
18%
25%
# White Students
16,789 Students
465,086 Students
% White Students
45%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
12 Students
1,488 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
2,066 Students
69,126 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
410
23,192
# Students in K Grade:
2,459
109,971
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,586
114,331
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,682
118,121
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,605
111,941
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,791
114,493
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,660
115,565
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,752
116,023
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,785
113,393
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,838
115,504
# Students in 9th Grade:
3,415
11,612
# Students in 10th Grade:
3,289
10,182
# Students in 11th Grade:
3,064
8,704
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,891
7,975
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,130 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,586 is less than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$377 MM
$17,307 MM

Spending
$394 MM
$17,964 MM

Revenue / Student
$10,130
$11,187

Spending / Student
$10,586
$11,612

Best Johnston County School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
The Innovation Academy At South Campus
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
521 Martin Luther King Dr
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Grades: 6-8
| 262 students
Rank: #22.
Cleveland Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10225 Cleveland Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-2700
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-2700
Grades: PK-5
| 816 students
Rank: #33.
Riverwood Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
108 Athletic Club Blvd
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 359-6300
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 359-6300
Grades: PK-5
| 739 students
Rank: #44.
River Dell Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12100 Buffalo Road
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 553-1977
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 553-1977
Grades: PK-5
| 942 students
Rank: #55.
Cleveland Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2323 Cornwallis Road
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 553-7500
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 553-7500
Grades: 6-8
| 923 students
Rank: #66.
Powhatan Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3145 Vinson Rd
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 553-3259
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 553-3259
Grades: PK-5
| 614 students
Rank: #77.
Dixon Road Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
835 Dixon Road
Willow Spring, NC 27592
(919) 894-7771
Willow Spring, NC 27592
(919) 894-7771
Grades: PK-5
| 638 students
Rank: #88.
Pine Level Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
304 West Blanche Street, Po Bo
Pine Level, NC 27568
(919) 965-3323
Pine Level, NC 27568
(919) 965-3323
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Rank: #99.
Archer Lodge Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
762 Wendell Rd
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 553-0714
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 553-0714
Grades: 6-8
| 1,223 students
Rank: #1010.
Riverwood Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
204 Athletic Club Blvd
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 359-2769
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 359-2769
Grades: 6-8
| 914 students
Rank: #1111.
Thanksgiving Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1161 Lynch Rd
Selma, NC 27576
(984) 400-7300
Selma, NC 27576
(984) 400-7300
Grades: PK-5
| 813 students
Rank: #1212.
West View Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
11755 Cleveland Road
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 661-6184
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 661-6184
Grades: PK-5
| 969 students
Rank: #1313.
Meadow School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7507 Nc Hwy 50 S
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-4226
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-4226
Grades: PK-8
| 661 students
Rank: #1414.
Swift Creek Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
325 Norris Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 262-0750
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 262-0750
Grades: 6-8
| 698 students
Rank: #1515.
Princeton High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
101 Dr Donnie H Jones Jr Blvd
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-5011
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-5011
Grades: 6-12
| 1,021 students
Rank: #1616.
Princeton Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
650 Holt's Pond Rd
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-0755
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-0755
Grades: PK-5
| 787 students
Rank: #1717.
Mcgee's Crossroads Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10330 Nc Hwy 50 North
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 894-7161
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 894-7161
Grades: PK-5
| 949 students
Rank: #1818.
Glendale-kenly Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2001 Bay Valley Rd
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2821
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2821
Grades: PK-5
| 436 students
Rank: #1919.
Polenta Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
105 Josephine Road
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 989-6039
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 989-6039
Grades: PK-5
| 993 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Corinth-holders Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3976 Nc 231
Zebulon, NC 27597
(919) 365-7560
Zebulon, NC 27597
(919) 365-7560
Grades: PK-5
| 580 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Micro Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 E Main St
Micro, NC 27555
(919) 588-4300
Micro, NC 27555
(919) 588-4300
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #2222.
Benson Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2040 Hwy 50 N
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-4233
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-4233
Grades: PK-4
| 603 students
Rank: #2323.
East Clayton Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2075 Nc Highway 42 East
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 550-5311
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 550-5311
Grades: PK-5
| 513 students
Rank: #2424.
Four Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
180 Hatcher St
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 963-2165
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 963-2165
Grades: PK-5
| 1,046 students
Rank: #2525.
Mcgee's Crossroads Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13353 Nc Highway 210
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-6003
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-6003
Grades: 6-8
| 736 students
Rank: #2626.
Wilson's Mills Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4654 Wilson's Mills Rd
Wilsons Mills, NC 27593
(919) 934-2978
Wilsons Mills, NC 27593
(919) 934-2978
Grades: PK-5
| 540 students
Rank: #2727.
North Johnston Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
435 Oil Company Road
Micro, NC 27555
(919) 284-3374
Micro, NC 27555
(919) 284-3374
Grades: 6-8
| 595 students
Rank: #2828.
West Clayton Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1012 S Lombard St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-7113
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-7113
Grades: PK-5
| 718 students
Rank: #2929.
Cooper Academy
(Math: 49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
849 North Mial St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-0256
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-0256
Grades: PK-5
| 441 students
Rank: #3030.
Clayton Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
490 Guy Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-5811
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-5811
Grades: 6-8
| 582 students
Rank: #3131.
Four Oaks Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1475 Boyette Road
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 963-4022
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 963-4022
Grades: 6-8
| 486 students
Rank: #3232.
Selma Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
311 W Richardson St
Selma, NC 27576
(919) 965-3361
Selma, NC 27576
(919) 965-3361
Grades: PK-5
| 766 students
Rank: #3333.
Jcps Virtual Academy
(Math: 25% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1455 Buffalo Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Grades: K-12
| 333 students
Rank: #3434.
Benson Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1600 N Wall Street
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-3889
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-3889
Grades: 5-8
| 493 students
Rank: #3535.
Smithfield Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1455 Buffalo Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-4696
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-4696
Grades: 6-8
| 530 students
Show 4 more public schools in Johnston County School District (out of 39 total schools)
Loading...
Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.