For the 2025 school year, there are 42 public schools serving 30,345 students in Johnston County, NC (there are , serving 804 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Johnston County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Johnston County, NC are Johnston Co Early College Academy, Johnston County Schools Career Technical and Johnston Charter Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Johnston County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Johnston County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools in Johnston County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnston Co Early College Academy
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2314
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2314
Gr: 9-13 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #22.
Johnston County Schools Career Technical
Vocational School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
245 College Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Gr: 9-13 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #33.
Johnston Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
40 Scholar Drive
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 879-8190
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 879-8190
Gr: K-8 | 751 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 816 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #66.
Cleveland High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1892 Polenta Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 934-2455
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 934-2455
Gr: 9-12 | 1,896 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #77.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 739 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 942 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #99.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1111.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 914 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1212.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 813 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1313.
Neuse Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
909 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Gr: K-12 | 912 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1414.
West Johnston High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5935 Raleigh Road
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 934-7333
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 934-7333
Gr: 9-12 | 1,593 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1515.
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
Gr: PK-8 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1616.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1717.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 1,021 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1818.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 787 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1919.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
North Johnston High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5915 Us Hwy 301 N
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2031
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2031
Gr: 9-12 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2222.
Smithfield-selma High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
700 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-5191
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-5191
Gr: 9-12 | 1,551 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2323.
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
Gr: PK-4 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2424.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2525.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 1,046 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2626.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2727.
Clayton High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 S Fayetteville St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-4064
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-4064
Gr: 9-12 | 1,942 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2828.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2929.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 595 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3030.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #3131.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3232.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3333.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3434.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3535.
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
Gr: K-12 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Show 7 more public schools in Johnston County, NC (out of 42 total schools)
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Johnston County ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Gr: 12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
South Campus Community High School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
521 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
South Campus Community Middle School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
425 S Collier Street
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Gr: 6-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Johnston County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Johnston County, NC include Johnston Co Early College Academy, Johnston County Schools Career Technical and Johnston Charter Academy.
How many public schools are located in Johnston County?
42 public schools are located in Johnston County.
What percentage of students in Johnston County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Johnston County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Johnston County?
Johnston County public schools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Johnston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Johnston County include: Thanksgiving Elementary School vs. River Dell Elementary School, West Johnston High School vs. Cleveland High School, Selma Middle School vs. Smithfield Middle School
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