Below Average
#2417 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cleveland High
High School · Johnston County Public Schools
1892 Polenta Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
1,896
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,896
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#13 of 13
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#466 of 579
In district
#46 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
About Cleveland High
Cleveland High serves 1,896 students in grades 9-12 in Clayton, North Carolina, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1 across 97 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,101 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 59th percentile statewide with an academic score of 7.6 out of 10. Academically, Cleveland High demonstrates solid performance with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 58% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across grade levels.
These results reflect steady educational outcomes for this sizable high school community. The school draws from a stable residential area where families enjoy a median household income of $82,694 and median home values of $245,300. With 27% of 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 who value educational opportunity.
Located on Polenta Road, Cleveland High sits in a rural setting near the town of Clayton in Johnston County, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel and access to the broader educational and economic opportunities of the Research Triangle region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cleveland High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Cleveland High — Students at Cleveland High score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.2%
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: 3.4/10.
How Cleveland High Compares
See how Cleveland High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 47.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 62.1% (2025).
Location
1892 Polenta Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cleveland High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Clayton High (rated 5.2/10, 6.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Johnston High (rated 4.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Benson), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| West Johnston High Benson | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 3.1 mi | 6.6 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 4.6 mi | 8.2 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 5.8 mi | 5.4 |
| McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson | 5.0 mi | 7.3 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 5.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 6.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring | 5.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 6.9 mi | 5.2 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 6.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 7.4 mi | 6.3 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 6.2 mi | — |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 7.6 mi | — |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 7.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks | 8.0 mi | 8.4 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 8.6 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 Cleveland 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 |
|---|---|
| East Wake High Wendell, NC | 4.2 |
| Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville, NC | 4.2 |
| Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown, NC | 4.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion, NC | 4.2 |
| Riverside High Durham, NC | 4.2 |
| South Central Winterville, NC | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cleveland High
What grades does Cleveland High serve?
Cleveland High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Cleveland High?
Cleveland High has an enrollment of approximately 1,896 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cleveland High?
The student-teacher ratio at Cleveland High is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cleveland High rank in NC?
Cleveland High is ranked #2417 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cleveland High's MySchoolScout rating?
Cleveland High has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Cleveland High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cleveland High has 57.4% math proficiency and 56.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cleveland High a charter school?
No, Cleveland High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cleveland High a Title I school?
No, Cleveland High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cleveland High?
36.2% of students at Cleveland 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
- 1,896
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 97
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 934-2455
- 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
- #46 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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