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 2025 school year, there are 12 public high schools serving 13,222 students in Johnston County School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Johnston County School District have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Johnston County School District 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 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
48 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
37,227 Students
565,764 Students
# Teachers
2,426 Teachers
33,453 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Johnston County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 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.
Overall District Rank
#130 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)54%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)92%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
0.70
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
30%
20%
% Black
18%
24%
% White
45%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,130 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,586 is less than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$377 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$394 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,130
$11,187
Spending / Student
$10,586
$11,612
Best Johnston County School District Public High Schools (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.
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: #44.
Corinth Holders High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6875 Applewhite Rd
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-4306
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-4306
Gr: 9-12 | 2,270 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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%
Rank: #1111.
South Johnston High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
10381 Us Hwy 301 S
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 894-3146
Four Oaks, NC 27524
(919) 894-3146
Gr: 9-12 | 1,332 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex 51±¬ÁÏs are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
