Very Good
#717 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 27% in state
Clayton Middle
Middle School · Johnston County Public Schools
490 Guy Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
582
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
582
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#7 of 13
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#65 of 475
In district
#28 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Clayton Middle
Clayton Middle is a regular public middle school in Clayton, North Carolina, located on Guy Road. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 582 students and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a small suburban area that provides a safe and supportive environment for middle schoolers.
Clayton Middle’s academic performance, as rated by MySchoolScout, stands at 6.0 out of 10, ranking the school 57th percentile among North Carolina schools. In terms of specific subjects, 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 40% in Math, indicating areas for academic growth. Despite these statistics, the school focuses on fostering a strong educational foundation and supporting each student's development.
Clayton Middle is situated within a community that values education and offers opportunities beyond the classroom for its middle school students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Clayton Middle — Students at Clayton Middle score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Clayton Middle Compares
See how Clayton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 47.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 53.2% (2025).
Location
490 Guy Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clayton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Swift Creek Middle (rated 7.0/10, 4.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Cleveland Middle (rated 6.6/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Garner), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Riverwood Middle (rated 5.9/10, 4.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 1.3 mi | — |
| Clayton High Clayton | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 2.3 mi | — |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 2.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 4.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 4.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 5.5 mi | 8.4 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 5.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 6.4 mi | 4.2 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 5.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 6.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 5.4 mi | 8.6 |
| South Garner High Garner | 5.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Bryan Road Elementary Garner | 6.0 mi | 8.8 |
| SURE PROMISE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh | 6.9 mi | — |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington, NC | 7.5 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford, NC | 7.5 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill, NC | 7.5 |
| Southern Middle Roxboro, NC | 7.5 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 7.5 |
| West Stanly Middle School Locust, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clayton Middle
What grades does Clayton Middle serve?
Clayton Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Clayton Middle?
Clayton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 582 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clayton Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Clayton Middle is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clayton Middle rank in NC?
Clayton Middle is ranked #717 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Clayton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Clayton Middle has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clayton Middle has 40.4% math proficiency and 47.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clayton Middle a charter school?
No, Clayton Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clayton Middle a Title I school?
No, Clayton Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clayton Middle?
99.5% of students at Clayton Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 582
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 553-5811
- 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
- #28 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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