Average
#1406 of 2,648 schools in NC
Johnston Charter Academy
Elementary School · Johnston Charter Academy
40 Scholar Drive, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
751
Student-Teacher
25:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
751
Student-Teacher
25:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#10 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,024 of 1,474
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Johnston Charter Academy
Johnston Charter Academy is a public charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Clayton, North Carolina. Located at 40 Scholar Drive in a small suburban area, the school enrolls 751 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25:1 and a full-time teaching staff of 30. Academically, Johnston Charter Academy sits at the 54th percentile among North Carolina schools, ranking #1223 out of 2,661 statewide.
The school's academic score stands at 6.7 out of 10. In reading and language arts, approximately 60% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, while math proficiency averages around 57% across the school. These results suggest the school is working toward strengthening student performance, with meaningful opportunities for growth in both core subject areas.
As a charter school, Johnston Charter Academy operates within the public school system while maintaining its own governance structure. The school's combined elementary and middle school configuration allows for a continuous educational experience from kindergarten through eighth grade, creating a stable learning environment in the Johnston County area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Johnston Charter Academy is 25:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Johnston Charter Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Johnston Charter Academy — Students at Johnston Charter Academy score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 7.6/10.
How Johnston Charter Academy Compares
See how Johnston Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 57.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 61.2% (2025).
Location
40 Scholar Drive, Clayton, NC 27520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Johnston Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cooper Academy (rated 8.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bryan Road Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverwood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 0.3 mi | — |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 1.8 mi | — |
| Clayton High Clayton | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 2.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 4.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 4.7 mi | 8.6 |
| South Garner High Garner | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 6.0 mi | 7.0 |
| SURE PROMISE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh | 5.7 mi | — |
| Barwell Road Elementary Raleigh | 5.9 mi | 8.4 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 5.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 6.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 6.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Bryan Road Elementary Garner | 5.3 mi | 8.8 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 6.0 mi | 8.2 |
| East Garner Middle Garner | 5.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
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 Johnston Charter 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 |
|---|---|
| Belmont Central Elementary Belmont, NC | 6.3 |
| Berewick Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.3 |
| College Lakes Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.3 |
| Crown Point Elementary Matthews, NC | 6.3 |
| David Cox Road Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.3 |
| E E Miller Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Johnston Charter Academy
What grades does Johnston Charter Academy serve?
Johnston Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Johnston Charter Academy?
Johnston Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 751 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Johnston Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Johnston Charter Academy is 25:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Johnston Charter Academy rank in NC?
Johnston Charter Academy is ranked #1406 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Johnston Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Johnston Charter Academy has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Johnston Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Johnston Charter Academy has 56.6% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Johnston Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, Johnston Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Johnston Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, Johnston Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Johnston Charter Academy?
48.9% of students at Johnston Charter 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,451/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 751
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 879-8190
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Johnston Charter Academy- District Enrollment
- 751
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,152
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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