Very Good
#903 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 34% in state
East Clayton Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
2075 NC Highway 42 East, Clayton, NC 27527
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#8 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#736 of 1,474
In district
#34 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Equity
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About East Clayton Elementary
East Clayton Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the small suburban area of Clayton, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 513 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, East Clayton provides a supportive learning environment with 36 full-time equivalent teachers.
East Clayton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it in the 57th percentile among North Carolina schools, which ranks as number 1154 out of 2661 schools statewide. The school’s academic score is 5.5/10, with 49% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in ELA/Reading and 52% in Math. These scores suggest there is room for improvement but also indicate a focus on student development.
East Clayton Elementary is situated in an area that offers a close-knit community atmosphere, making it a welcoming place for families looking for a tight-knit neighborhood feel with a dedicated school staff committed to their students' success.
Score Breakdown
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East Clayton Elementary — Students at East Clayton Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 7.5/10.
How East Clayton Elementary Compares
See how East Clayton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 57.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 50.4% (2025).
Location
2075 NC Highway 42 East, Clayton, NC 27527
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Clayton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cooper Academy (rated 8.8/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Powhatan Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverwood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 3.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 2.8 mi | 8.8 |
| River Dell Elementary Clayton | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Archer Lodge Middle Wendell | 4.3 mi | 7.6 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 3.8 mi | 8.5 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 4.2 mi | — |
| Thanksgiving Elementary Selma | 4.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 5.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield | 5.4 mi | 4.7 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 6.0 mi | — |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 5.1 mi | — |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 5.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Corinth Holders High Wendell | 6.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 6.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Lake Myra Elementary Wendell | 7.9 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27527 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,011
Median Home Value
$360,700
Median Rent
$1,617/mo
Population
35,968
College Educated
45.5%
Homeownership
84.8%
Avg Commute
34.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding East Clayton Elementary has a median household income of $111,011. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,700, with a median rent of $1,617/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley Academy Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.2 |
| Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington, NC | 7.2 |
| Charles England Elementary School Lexington, NC | 7.2 |
| Eastern Wayne Elementary Goldsboro, NC | 7.2 |
| Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Clayton Elementary
What grades does East Clayton Elementary serve?
East Clayton Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend East Clayton Elementary?
East Clayton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 513 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Clayton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at East Clayton Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Clayton Elementary rank in NC?
East Clayton Elementary is ranked #903 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is East Clayton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
East Clayton Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 East Clayton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Clayton Elementary has 51.9% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is East Clayton Elementary a charter school?
No, East Clayton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Clayton Elementary a Title I school?
No, East Clayton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Clayton Elementary?
99.4% of students at East Clayton Elementary 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
- 513
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 550-5311
- 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
- #34 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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