Best Schools in Selma, North Carolina
3 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Selma?
Use this page to compare every school in Selma 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.
Thanksgiving Elementary
Elementary · Johnston County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Selma Elementary
Elementary · Johnston County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Selma Middle School
Middle · Johnston County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Selma for 2026 are Thanksgiving Elementary (8.8/10), Selma Elementary (5.3/10), and Selma Middle School (4.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$178,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$178,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Selma
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thanksgiving Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Selma Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Selma Middle School | 4.0 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $62,044
- Median home value
- $178,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Selma compares
North Carolina rank
#153 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
92% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Selma, North Carolina
Selma, North Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Selma show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Selma is Thanksgiving Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Selma is served by 1 school district: Johnston County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 37,289 students.
Selma's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,044. The poverty rate in the area is 12.8%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 813 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 766 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 335 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
Schools in Selma
Selma, North Carolina · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,044
Median Home Value
$178,200
Median Rent
$874/mo
Population
20,104
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Community Profile
Selma has a median household income of $62,044. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,200, with a median rent of $874/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
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 Selma, North Carolina
How many schools are in Selma, North Carolina?
Selma has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Selma, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Selma is 6.0 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 Selma, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Selma on MySchoolScout is Thanksgiving Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Selma, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Selma on MySchoolScout is Thanksgiving Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Selma, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Selma on MySchoolScout is Selma Middle School with a composite score of 4.0/10.
How many school districts serve Selma, North Carolina?
Selma is served by 1 school district: Johnston County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Selma, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Selma have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Selma, North Carolina?
The median household income in Selma is approximately $62,044 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Selma, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Selma is 12.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Selma, 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.
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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.