For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public middle schools serving 9,046 students in Johnston County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Johnston County, NC are Johnston Charter Academy, The Innovation Academy At South Campus and Riverwood Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Johnston County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Johnston County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Johnston County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 677 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #22.
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 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
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 | 902 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #44.
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 | 925 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
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 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #66.
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 | 691 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #77.
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 | 988 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #88.
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 | 757 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #99.
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 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1313.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1414.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1515.
Selma Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1533 Hwy 301 N
Selma, NC 27576
(919) 965-2555
Selma, NC 27576
(919) 965-2555
Gr: 6-8 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1616.
Choice Plus Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
211 East Rose Street
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 230-0500
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 230-0500
Gr: K-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Johnston County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Johnston County, NC include Johnston Charter Academy, The Innovation Academy At South Campus and Riverwood Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Johnston County?
15 public middle schools are located in Johnston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Johnston County?
Johnston County public middle schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Johnston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Johnston County include: Selma Middle School vs. Smithfield Middle School, The Innovation Academy At South Campus vs. Clayton Middle School, Swift Creek Middle School vs. Clayton Middle School
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