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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Johnston County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 43 public schools serving 30,012 students in Johnston County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 765 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Johnston County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
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 54% (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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Johnston County (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.
Johnston Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
40 Scholar Drive
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 879-8190
Gr: K-8 | 677 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #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.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
Neuse Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
909 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Gr: K-12 | 925 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #20 - 2120. - 21.
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: #20 - 2120. - 21.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
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%
Rank: #3030.
West Clayton Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1012 S Lombard St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-7113
Gr: PK-5 | 742 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3131.
Cooper Academy
(Math: 49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
849 North Mial St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-0256
Gr: PK-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #3232.
Clayton Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
490 Guy Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-5811
Gr: 6-8 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #3333.
Four Oaks Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1475 Boyette Road
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 963-4022
Gr: 6-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #3434.
Selma Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
311 W Richardson St
Selma, NC 27576
(919) 965-3361
Gr: PK-5 | 794 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3535.
Jcps Virtual Academy
(Math: 25% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1455 Buffalo Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Gr: K-12 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Show 8 more public schools in Johnston County, NC (out of 43 total schools)
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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?
41 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 93%).
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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Johnston County are often viewed compared to one another?

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