For the 2024 school year, there are 12 public high schools serving 12,379 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 44% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 52%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 57% statewide average). High schools in Johnston County have an average ranking of 4/10, 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 Princeton 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 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Johnston County (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Johnston Co Early College Academy
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2314
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2314
Grades: 9-13
| 245 students
Rank: #22.
Johnston County Schools Career Technical
Vocational School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
245 College Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Grades: 9-13
| 159 students
Rank: #33.
Cleveland High School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1892 Polenta Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 934-2455
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 934-2455
Grades: 9-12
| 1,785 students
Rank: #44.
Neuse Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
909 Booker Dairy Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Grades: K-12
| 887 students
Rank: #55.
Choice Plus Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
211 East Rose Street
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 230-0500
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 230-0500
Grades: 6-12
| 11 students
Rank: #66.
Clayton High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 S Fayetteville St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-4064
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-4064
Grades: 9-12
| 1,977 students
Rank: #77.
West Johnston High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5935 Raleigh Road
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 934-7333
Benson, NC 27504
(919) 934-7333
Grades: 9-12
| 1,338 students
Rank: #88.
Princeton High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
101 Dr Donnie H Jones Jr Blvd
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-5011
Princeton, NC 27569
(919) 936-5011
Grades: 6-12
| 1,019 students
Rank: #99.
North Johnston High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5915 Us Hwy 301 N
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2031
Kenly, NC 27542
(919) 284-2031
Grades: 9-12
| 761 students
Rank: #1010.
Smithfield-selma High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
700 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-5191
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-5191
Grades: 9-12
| 1,413 students
Rank: #1111.
South Johnston High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 27%)
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,324 students
Rank: n/an/a
501 S 2nd St
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Grades: K-12
| 1,460 students
Johnston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Grades: 12
| 50 students
South Campus Community High School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
521 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Grades: 9-12
| 21 students
South Campus Community Middle School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
425 S Collier Street
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Grades: 6-8
| 12 students
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, NC?
12 public high schools are located in Johnston County, NC.
What is the racial composition of students in Johnston County, NC?
Johnston County, NC public high schools minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 53% (majority Black).
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