Johnston County School District

2320 Hwy 70 E Business
Smithfield, NC 27577-1336
(District boundaries shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%

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 2026 school year, there are 49 public schools serving 37,265 students in Johnston County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Johnston County School District have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
49 Schools
2,734 Schools
# Students
37,265 Students
1,549,621 Students
# Teachers
2,147 Teachers
96,132 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Johnston County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 314 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 91% has decreased from 92% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#130 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(21-22)
54%
51%
52%
50%
66%
63%
(21-22)
92%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.68
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
31%
22%
% Black
19%
24%
% White
43%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,120 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,575 is less than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$377 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$394 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,120
$11,168
Spending / Student
$10,575
$11,592

Best Johnston County School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnston Co Early College Academy
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2314
Gr: 9-13 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #22.
Johnston County Schools Career Technical
Vocational School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
245 College Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Gr: 9-13 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #33.
The Innovation Academy At South Campus
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
521 Martin Luther King Dr
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Gr: 6-8 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
Cleveland Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10225 Cleveland Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-2700
Gr: PK-5 | 851 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
Cleveland High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1892 Polenta Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 934-2455
Gr: 9-12 | 1,889 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #66.
Corinth Holders High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6875 Applewhite Rd
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-4306
Gr: 9-12 | 2,187 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #77.
Riverwood Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
108 Athletic Club Blvd
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 359-6300
Gr: PK-5 | 728 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #88.
River Dell Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
12100 Buffalo Road
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 553-1977
Gr: PK-5 | 981 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #99.
Cleveland Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2323 Cornwallis Road
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 553-7500
Gr: 6-8 | 936 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1010.
Powhatan Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3145 Vinson Rd
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 553-3259
Gr: PK-5 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1111.
Dixon Road Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
835 Dixon Road
Willow Spring, NC 27592
(919) 894-7771
Gr: PK-5 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1212.
Pine Level Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
304 West Blanche Street, Po Bo
Pine Level, NC 27568
(919) 965-3323
Gr: PK-5 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1313.
Archer Lodge Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
762 Wendell Rd
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 553-0714
Gr: 6-8 | 1,204 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1414.
Riverwood Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
204 Athletic Club Blvd
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 359-2769
Gr: 6-8 | 902 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1515.
Thanksgiving Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1161 Lynch Rd
Selma, NC 27576
(984) 400-7300
Gr: PK-5 | 870 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1616.
West Johnston High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5935 Raleigh Road
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 934-7333
Gr: 9-12 | 1,563 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1717.
West View Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
11755 Cleveland Road
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 661-6184
Gr: PK-5 | 969 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1818.
Meadow School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7507 Nc Hwy 50 S
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-4226
Gr: PK-8 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1919.
Swift Creek Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
325 Norris Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 262-0750
Gr: 6-8 | 691 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2020.
Princeton High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
101 Dr Donnie H Jones Jr Blvd
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-5011
Gr: 6-12 | 988 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2121.
Princeton Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
650 Holt's Pond Rd
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-0755
Gr: PK-5 | 770 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #2222.
Mcgee's Crossroads Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10330 Nc Hwy 50 North
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 894-7161
Gr: PK-5 | 950 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2323.
Glendale-kenly Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2001 Bay Valley Rd
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2821
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2424.
Polenta Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
105 Josephine Road
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 989-6039
Gr: PK-5 | 1,010 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #25 - 2725. - 27.
Corinth-holders Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3976 Nc 231
Zebulon, NC 27597
(919) 365-7560
Gr: PK-5 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #25 - 2725. - 27.
Micro Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 E Main St
Micro, NC 27555
(919) 588-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #25 - 2725. - 27.
North Johnston High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5915 Us Hwy 301 N
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2031
Gr: 9-12 | 788 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2828.
Smithfield-selma High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
700 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-5191
Gr: 9-12 | 1,548 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2929.
Benson Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2040 Hwy 50 N
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-4233
Gr: PK-5 | 719 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #3030.
East Clayton Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2075 Nc Highway 42 East
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 550-5311
Gr: PK-5 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #3131.
Four Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
180 Hatcher St
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 963-2165
Gr: PK-5 | 1,051 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #3232.
Mcgee's Crossroads Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
13353 Nc Highway 210
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 894-6003
Gr: 6-8 | 757 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #3333.
Clayton High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
600 S Fayetteville St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-4064
Gr: 9-12 | 1,929 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #3434.
Wilson's Mills Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4654 Wilson's Mills Rd
Wilsons Mills, NC 27593
(919) 934-2978
Gr: PK-5 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3535.
North Johnston Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
435 Oil Company Road
Micro, NC 27555
(919) 284-3374
Gr: 6-8 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Show 14 more public schools in Johnston County School District (out of 49 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Johnston County School District?
Johnston County School District manages 49 public schools serving 37,265 students.
What is the rank of Johnston County School District?
Johnston County School District is ranked #136 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Johnston County School District?
43% of Johnston County School District students are White, 31% of students are Hispanic, 19% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Johnston County School District?
Johnston County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.
What is Johnston County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,575 is less than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 49 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 37,265 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 56%
  • : 92% (Top 20% in NC)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 54% (Top 50%)
  • : 52% (Top 50%)
  • : 66% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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