Average
#2000 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cooper Academy
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
849 North Mial St, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,000 of 2,648
In Clayton
#9 of 13
public schools
In district
#38 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
School environment
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Cooper Academy
Elementary School in Clayton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Clayton High
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
West Clayton Elementary
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cooper Academy
Cooper Academy is a public elementary school in Clayton, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Cooper Academy serves approximately 441 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Cooper Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,000 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cooper Academy show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Cooper Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cooper Academy — Students at Cooper Academy score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 36 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: 2.6/10.
How Cooper Academy Compares
See how Cooper Academy 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
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 7.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Johnston Charter Academy (rated 7.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cleveland Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.7 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 1.7 mi | — |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 2.1 mi | 4.4 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 2.3 mi | — |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 3.1 mi | 7.7 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 2.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 5.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Archer Lodge Middle Wendell | 5.8 mi | 6.5 |
| River Dell Elementary Clayton | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Lake Myra Elementary Wendell | 7.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 7.0 mi | 6.4 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 7.4 mi | — |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 7.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 7.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 7.4 mi | 7.2 |
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 |
|---|---|
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC | 5.0 |
| Central Elementary Jackson, NC | 5.0 |
| Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 5.0 |
| Durant Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.0 |
| Guilford Preparatory Academy Greensboro, NC | 5.0 |
| Hawk Eye Elementary Red Springs, NC | 5.0 |
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 ranks #2,000 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cooper Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cooper Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Cooper Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cooper Academy has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.5%
- Phone
- (919) 553-0256
Resources & Links
District
Johnston County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 37,289
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,352
- District Rank
- #38 of 48
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