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
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 9.8/10.
How Johnston County Schools Career Technical Compares
See how Johnston County Schools Career Technical performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 94.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 98.7% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (919) 464-2303
- 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
- #26 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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