Excellent
#118 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 4% in state
Cooper Academy
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
849 North Mial St, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#1 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#105 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Cooper Academy
Cooper Academy is a public elementary school in Clayton, NC, part of the Johnston County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 441 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 95.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 45% proficiency in math, 15 points below the state average and 41% in reading/language arts, 12 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $84,545, where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Cooper Academy — Students at Cooper Academy score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 9.9/10.
How Cooper Academy Compares
See how Cooper Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 57.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 48.5% (2025).
Location
849 North Mial St, Clayton, NC 27520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cooper Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverwood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Powhatan Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Clayton Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton High Clayton | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 1.4 mi | 8.5 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 1.7 mi | — |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 2.3 mi | — |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 3.1 mi | 8.6 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 3.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 5.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Archer Lodge Middle Wendell | 5.8 mi | 7.6 |
| River Dell Elementary Clayton | 5.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Lake Myra Elementary Wendell | 7.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 7.0 mi | 8.4 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 7.4 mi | — |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 7.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 7.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 7.4 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 Cooper Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| B O Barnes Elementary Wilson, NC | 8.8 |
| Badin Elementary Badin, NC | 8.8 |
| Belmont Elementary School Roanoke Rapids, NC | 8.8 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby, NC | 8.8 |
| Carolina Beach Elementary Carolina Beach, NC | 8.8 |
| Carver Elementary Mount Olive, NC | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cooper Academy
What grades does Cooper Academy serve?
Cooper Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cooper Academy?
Cooper Academy has an enrollment of approximately 441 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cooper Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Cooper Academy is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cooper Academy rank in NC?
Cooper Academy is ranked #118 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cooper Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cooper Academy has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Cooper Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cooper Academy has 44.5% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cooper Academy a charter school?
No, Cooper Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cooper Academy a Title I school?
No, Cooper Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cooper Academy?
99.3% of students at Cooper Academy 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 441
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 553-0256
- 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
- #5 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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