Elementary Schools in Johnston County Public Schools

The Johnston County Public Schools district in North Carolina is home to 24 elementary schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. The schools vary significantly in their academic performance, student demographics, and resource allocation, with clear disparities between the highest and lowest-performing institutions.

The top-performing elementary schools in the district are Cleveland Elementary and Riverwood Elementary, which rank among the top 150 elementary schools in the state and earn 5 and 4 stars from SchoolDigger, respectively. These schools boast exceptional test scores, with over 70% proficiency in math and reading. Other high-achieving schools include River Dell Elementary, Powhatan Elementary, and Dixon Road Elementary. In contrast, Selma Elementary, East Clayton Elementary, West Smithfield Elementary, and South Smithfield Elementary are among the lowest-performing, ranking in the bottom 25% statewide and earning 1 or 2 stars from SchoolDigger.

The data reveals a clear correlation between school performance and student demographics, with the highest-performing schools serving predominantly white and Asian student populations and the lowest-performing schools serving majority Hispanic and African American students. Socioeconomic status, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, also appears to be a strong predictor of academic achievement. Additionally, the district as a whole is performing slightly below the state average, suggesting room for improvement across all schools.