Best Schools in Clinton, North Carolina
12 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Clinton?
Use this page to compare every school in Clinton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Sampson Early College High
High · Sampson County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Clinton High
High · Clinton City Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sunset Avenue Elementary
Elementary · Clinton City Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clinton for 2026 are Sampson Early College High (6.8/10), Clinton High (6.2/10), and Sunset Avenue Elementary (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$152,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$152,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Clinton schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Clinton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 rated schools; 12 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sampson Early College High | 6.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Clinton High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Sunset Avenue Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Sampson Middle | 5.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Union Elementary | 4.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Union Middle | 4.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Butler Avenue Elementary | 3.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Union Intermediate | 3.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $48,137
- Median home value
- $152,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
8% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clinton compares
North Carolina rank
#215 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$48k
71% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
12
Clinton's public schools split across 2 districts
No single ISD owns Clinton. The public campuses divide among 2 districts.
The largest shares: Clinton City Schools (5), Sampson County Schools (4).
Among 8 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.4 to 6.8 — the spread is inside Clinton, not a citywide average.
- Clinton City Schools5 public · 56%
- Sampson County Schools4 public · 44%
About Schools in Clinton, North Carolina
Clinton, North Carolina is home to 12 schools, including 9 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Clinton show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Clinton is Spirit of Life Christian Academy with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clinton is served by 2 school districts: Clinton City Schools, Sampson County Schools. These districts collectively serve 11,091 students.
Clinton's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $48,137. The poverty rate in the area is 24.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 351 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 6.7 |
| 2 | 659 students · 3rd–5th | 6.2 |
| 3 | 485 students · Pre-K–2nd | 4.6 |
| 4 | 472 students · 1st–2nd | 3.8 |
| 5 | 391 students · 3rd–5th | 3.4 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 690 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 388 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 231 students · 9th–UG | 6.8 |
| 2 | 833 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 129 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | New Life Christian AcademyPrivate 66 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | New Life Uplifted SchoolPrivate 36 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Clinton
Clinton, North Carolina · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$48,137
Median Home Value
$152,100
Median Rent
$795/mo
Population
26,314
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
24.1%
Community Profile
Clinton has a median household income of $48,137. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,100, with a median rent of $795/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 3
Resources
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Clinton, North Carolina
How many schools are in Clinton, North Carolina?
Clinton has 12 schools, including 9 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clinton, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clinton is 5.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Clinton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Sampson Early College High with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clinton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Sunset Avenue Elementary with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Clinton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Sampson Middle with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Clinton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Sampson Early College High with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Clinton, North Carolina?
Clinton is served by 2 school districts: Clinton City Schools, Sampson County Schools.
What is the education level in Clinton, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Clinton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clinton, North Carolina?
The median household income in Clinton is approximately $48,137 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Clinton, North Carolina?
Yes, Clinton has 3 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Spirit of Life Christian Academy with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clinton, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clinton is 13.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clinton, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.