Average
#1246 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
Cleveland High
High School · Johnston County Public Schools
1892 Polenta Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
1,896
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,896
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,246 of 2,648
In Clayton
#6 of 13
public schools
In district
#21 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Cleveland High?
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Cleveland High
High School in Clayton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Polenta Elementary
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Swift Creek Middle
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cleveland High
Cleveland High is a public high school in Clayton, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Cleveland High serves approximately 1,896 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cleveland High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,246 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cleveland High show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Cleveland High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Cleveland High — Students at Cleveland High score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
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 26 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Cleveland High Compares
See how Cleveland High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1892 Polenta Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cleveland High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Johnston High (rated 5.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Benson), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Clayton High (rated 5.7/10, 6.9 miles away), with a comparable 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 | 6.4 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| West Johnston High Benson | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 5.8 mi | 5.4 |
| McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson | 5.0 mi | 5.3 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 6.4 mi | 4.4 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 6.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring | 5.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 6.9 mi | 5.7 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 6.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 7.4 mi | 7.3 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 6.2 mi | — |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 7.6 mi | — |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 7.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks | 8.0 mi | 7.0 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington, NC | 6.5 |
| North Mecklenburg High School Huntersville, NC | 6.5 |
| West Forsyth High Clemmons, NC | 6.5 |
| Corinth Holders High Wendell, NC | 6.4 |
| Dixon High Holly Ridge, NC | 6.4 |
| East Wake High Wendell, NC | 6.4 |
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 ranks #1,246 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cleveland High's MySchoolScout rating?
Cleveland High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cleveland High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cleveland High has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (919) 934-2455
- 4-Year Graduation
- 94.0%
Resources & Links
District
Johnston County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 37,289
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,352
- District Rank
- #21 of 48
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