For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public high schools serving 11,864 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 50% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 58% 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 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Cleveland High School, with 96% 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).
Best Public High Schools in Johnston County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 244 students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 172 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,896 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 912 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,593 students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 1,021 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 798 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,551 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,942 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 333 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,332 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 70 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?
12 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 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Johnston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Johnston County include: West Johnston High School vs. Cleveland High School, Clayton High School vs. Cleveland High School, Cleveland High School vs. West Johnston High School
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