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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Johnston County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public high schools serving 11,531 students in Johnston County, NC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Johnston County, NC are Johnston Co Early College Academy, Johnston County Schools Career Technical and Cleveland High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Johnston County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Johnston County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Johnston County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 91%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Cleveland High School, with 95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public High 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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%
Rank: #1111.
South Johnston High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
10381 Us Hwy 301 S
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 894-3146
Gr: 9-12 | 1,355 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1212.
Choice Plus Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
211 East Rose Street
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 high schools in Johnston County, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Johnston County, NC include Johnston Co Early College Academy, Johnston County Schools Career Technical and Cleveland High School.
How many public high schools are located in Johnston County?
11 public high schools are located in Johnston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Johnston County?
Johnston County public high schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Johnston County are often viewed compared to one another?

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