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Very Good

#550 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 21% in state

Johnston County Schools Career Technical

High School · Johnston County Public Schools

PO Box 2350, Smithfield, NC 27577

Enrollment

196

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – UG

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Smithfield

#4 of 10

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#24 of 579

In district

#26 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Johnston County Schools Career Technical

Johnston County Schools Career Technical serves 196 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Smithfield, North Carolina. This specialized vocational and technical high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1 with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, providing focused attention in career-oriented programs. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #113 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile.

Students achieve outstanding proficiency rates of 99% in English Language Arts and Reading, and 96% in Math across all grade levels tested. This academic excellence, reflected in the school's 9.9 out of 10 academic score, showcases how career and technical education can deliver both practical skills and strong foundational learning. The surrounding Smithfield community in ZIP code 27577 has a median household income of $57,281 and median home value of $218,600, with 22% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite a 19.7% poverty rate in the area, the school's impressive outcomes demonstrate its effectiveness in preparing students for both immediate career entry and continued education. Johnston County Schools Career Technical operates in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area, offering students access to both community connections and broader regional opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 196 students, Johnston County Schools Career Technical is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics10.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency94.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency98.7%
Math vs. State Avg+38.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+45.1 pts
Overall Proficiency97%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+51.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,788

Johnston County Schools Career Technical — Students at Johnston County Schools Career Technical score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.6%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 84.4%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
95%
ELA
90%
2025
Math
94.3%
ELA
98.7%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Johnston County Schools Career Technical Compares

See how Johnston County Schools Career Technical performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in NC
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 2350, Smithfield, NC 27577

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Johnston County Schools Career Technical may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Johnston Co Early College Academy (rated 7.1/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Smithfield-Selma High (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Smithfield, see our Smithfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield 0.1 mi 7.1
The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield 0.5 mi 8.6
Choice Plus Academy Smithfield 1.1 mi 4.8
South Smithfield Elementary Smithfield 1.5 mi 7.8
Smithfield Middle Smithfield 1.9 mi 5.7
JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield 1.9 mi 3.7
Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield 2.0 mi 5.8
Neuse Charter School Smithfield 2.2 mi 5.0
Selma Elementary Selma 3.8 mi 8.0
Selma Middle School Selma 4.6 mi 7.4
West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield 4.2 mi 7.9
STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield 5.6 mi 4.7
Pine Level Elementary Pine Level 4.7 mi 9.4
American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh 5.3 mi
Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills 5.8 mi 8.1
Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks 5.5 mi 7.8
Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks 6.7 mi 8.4
North Johnston Middle Micro 8.1 mi 8.0
Powhatan Elementary Clayton 9.3 mi 8.6
Micro Elementary Micro 8.3 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27577 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,237

Median Home Value

$230,200

Median Rent

$802/mo

Population

26,946

College Educated

21.5%

Homeownership

67.2%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

21%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Johnston County Schools Career Technical has a median household income of $56,237. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,200, with a median rent of $802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville, NC 7.8
Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson, NC 7.8
Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham, NC 7.7
Edgecombe Early College High Tarboro, NC 7.9
Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro Jamestown, NC 7.9
POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC H S Greenville, NC 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Johnston County Schools Career Technical

What grades does Johnston County Schools Career Technical serve?

Johnston County Schools Career Technical serves students in grades 9th through UG.

How many students attend Johnston County Schools Career Technical?

Johnston County Schools Career Technical has an enrollment of approximately 196 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Johnston County Schools Career Technical?

The student-teacher ratio at Johnston County Schools Career Technical is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Johnston County Schools Career Technical rank in NC?

Johnston County Schools Career Technical is ranked #550 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Johnston County Schools Career Technical's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnston County Schools Career Technical has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Johnston County Schools Career Technical?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Johnston County Schools Career Technical has 84.6% math proficiency and 84.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Johnston County Schools Career Technical a charter school?

No, Johnston County Schools Career Technical is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Johnston County Schools Career Technical a Title I school?

No, Johnston County Schools Career Technical is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Johnston County Schools Career Technical?

98.5% of students at Johnston County Schools Career Technical qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,069/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Smithfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Type
vocational
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Johnston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Johnston County Public Schools
District Enrollment
37,289
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,352
District Rank
#26 of 48

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 methodology

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