Average
#2069 of 2,648 schools in NC
Clayton High
High School · Johnston County Public Schools
600 S Fayetteville St, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
1,942
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,942
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#12 of 13
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#331 of 579
In district
#42 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
About Clayton High
Clayton High serves 1,942 students in grades 9-12 in Clayton, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1 and 105 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,257 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 53rd percentile among North Carolina high schools. Academically, Clayton High shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 66% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 49% of students achieve proficiency or above. The school's overall academic score stands at 6.9 out of 10, indicating steady educational foundations with opportunities for continued improvement. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $82,694 and the median home value is $245,300.
With 27% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 6.8%, the surrounding ZIP code of 27520 supports a population of 46,059 residents. Clayton High is situated on South Fayetteville Street in this growing small suburban area of Johnston County, serving families in an economically stable community environment.
Score Breakdown
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Clayton High — Students at Clayton High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.
How Clayton High Compares
See how Clayton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 40% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 65.7% (2025).
Location
600 S Fayetteville St, Clayton, NC 27520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clayton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Garner High (rated 5.7/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cleveland High (rated 4.2/10, 6.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 1.8 mi | — |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 1.7 mi | — |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 3.9 mi | 8.6 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 4.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 6.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 6.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Archer Lodge Middle Wendell | 6.7 mi | 7.6 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 6.7 mi | 8.2 |
| South Garner High Garner | 6.4 mi | 5.7 |
| River Dell Elementary Clayton | 6.5 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27520 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,545
Median Home Value
$282,200
Median Rent
$1,430/mo
Population
48,662
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
76.3%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
37.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clayton High has a median household income of $84,545. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $282,200, with a median rent of $1,430/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cape Fear High Fayetteville, NC | 5.2 |
| Dixon High Holly Ridge, NC | 5.2 |
| Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem, NC | 5.2 |
| Northern Guilford High Greensboro, NC | 5.2 |
| South View High Hope Mills, NC | 5.2 |
| Southwest Guilford High High Point, NC | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clayton High
What grades does Clayton High serve?
Clayton High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Clayton High?
Clayton High has an enrollment of approximately 1,942 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clayton High?
The student-teacher ratio at Clayton High is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clayton High rank in NC?
Clayton High is ranked #2069 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Clayton High's MySchoolScout rating?
Clayton High has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Clayton High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clayton High has 46.7% math proficiency and 52.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clayton High a charter school?
No, Clayton High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clayton High a Title I school?
No, Clayton High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clayton High?
40.8% of students at Clayton High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,942
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 105
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 553-4064
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Johnston County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 37,289
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,352
- District Rank
- #42 of 48
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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