Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Johnston County Public Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
48
Schools
37,286
Students
$11,360
Per-Pupil Spend
-21% nat'l
53.1%
Free Lunch Rate
≈ nat'l avg
92.9%
Graduation Rate
+6.4pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Johnston County Public Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 37,286 students across 48 schools. It includes 24 elementary, 12 middle, 11 high schools. Its graduation rate of 92.9% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $11,360 is below the national average for a US public school district. 53% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 35/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (48)
Middle Schools12 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Archer Lodge Middle06–081,219
Benson Middle05–08511
Clayton Middle06–08573
Cleveland Middle06–08936
Four Oaks Middle06–08468
McGee's Crossroads Middle06–08749
North Johnston Middle06–08600
Riverwood Middle06–08948
Selma Middle School06–08359
Smithfield Middle06–08501
Swift Creek Middle06–08750
The Innovation Academy at South Campus06–08232
High Schools11 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Choice Plus Academy06–1252
Clayton High09–122,024
Cleveland High09–121,879
Corinth Holders High09–122,219
Johnston Co Early College Academy09–13281
Johnston County Schools Career Technical09–13206
North Johnston High09–12787
Princeton High06–121,024
Smithfield-Selma High09–121,503
South Johnston High09–121,331
West Johnston High09–121,469
Other School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
JCPS Virtual AcademyKG–12660
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$11,360-21% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
62%
21%
State
62.2%
Local (property tax)
20.7%
Federal
17.1%

State funding accounts for 62% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
48
Schools
37,286
Students
53%
Free Lunch
$11K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate92.9%
Opportunity Score35/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
92.9% graduation rate — 6.4 points above the national average of 86.5%.
Range of school options
With 48 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Below-average per-pupil spending
At $11,360, spending is 21% below the national average — which can limit staffing and resources.
Low opportunity scores
Median opportunity score of 35/100, below the national median of 50, which can correlate with weaker long-term economic mobility for students.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Johnston County Public Schools?
Johnston County Public Schools has 48 public schools, serving a total of 37,286 students.
What is the graduation rate for Johnston County Public Schools?
The graduation rate is 92.9%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Johnston County Public Schools spend per student?
Johnston County Public Schools spends $11,360 per pupil — 21% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Johnston County Public Schools?
53% of students in Johnston County Public Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Johnston County Public Schools?
No, Johnston County Public Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Johnston County Public Schools serve?
Johnston County Public Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Johnston County Public Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Johnston County Public Schools is 35/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.