Best Schools in Johnston, South Carolina
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Johnston?
Use this page to compare every school in Johnston 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.
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Strom Thurmond High
High · Edgefield 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Johnston-edgefield-trenton Middle
Middle · Edgefield 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Johnston for 2026 are Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy (7.1/10), Strom Thurmond High (6.2/10), and Johnston-edgefield-trenton Middle (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$112,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$112,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Johnston
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy | 7.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Strom Thurmond High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Johnston-edgefield-trenton Middle | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Johnston Elementary | 5.1 / 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
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $43,125
- Median home value
- $112,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Johnston compares
South Carolina rank
#81 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$43k
69% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Johnston, South Carolina
Johnston, South Carolina is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Johnston 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 Johnston is Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Johnston is served by 1 school district: Edgefield 01. These districts collectively serve 3,082 students.
Johnston's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $43,125. The poverty rate in the area is 24.4%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 245 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 390 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 776 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy
Private
214 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.1 |
Schools in Johnston
Johnston, South Carolina · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$43,125
Median Home Value
$112,800
Median Rent
$638/mo
Population
5,375
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
24.4%
Community Profile
Johnston has a median household income of $43,125. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $112,800, with a median rent of $638/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in South 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 Johnston, South Carolina
How many schools are in Johnston, South Carolina?
Johnston has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Johnston, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Johnston is 5.9 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 Johnston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Johnston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Johnston Elementary with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Johnston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Johnston-edgefield-trenton Middle with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best high school in Johnston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Strom Thurmond High with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Johnston, South Carolina?
Johnston is served by 1 school district: Edgefield 01.
What is the education level in Johnston, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Johnston have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Johnston, South Carolina?
The median household income in Johnston is approximately $43,125 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Johnston, South Carolina?
Yes, Johnston has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy with a score of 7.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Johnston, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Johnston is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Johnston, South 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, South Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.