Average
#2116 of 2,648 schools in NC
Neuse Charter School
School · Neuse Charter School
909 M. Durwood Stephenson Park, Smithfield, NC 27577
Enrollment
912
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
912
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Smithfield
#8 of 10
public schools
North Carolina schools
#85 of 120
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Neuse Charter School
Neuse Charter School serves 912 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Smithfield, North Carolina, offering families a comprehensive educational option within Johnston County. With 51 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, providing opportunities for meaningful classroom interactions. Academically, Neuse Charter School shows solid performance in reading and language arts, with 66% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics results indicate room for growth, with 58% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school holds a state ranking of #1531 out of 2661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 42nd percentile statewide. As a charter school, Neuse offers families an alternative to traditional district schools while maintaining public school accessibility.
The school's K-12 structure allows students to build lasting relationships with teachers and peers throughout their educational journey, creating a cohesive school community. The surrounding area reflects a working-class community with a median household income of $57,281 and home values averaging $218,600. About 22% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 19.7%.
Located in a rural setting near Smithfield, the school serves families seeking educational choice in Johnston County's growing communities.
What Parents Should Know
Neuse Charter School 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.
Located in a rural area, Neuse Charter School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Neuse Charter School — Students at Neuse Charter School score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 6.0/10.
How Neuse Charter School Compares
See how Neuse Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 56.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 74.1% (2025).
Location
909 M. Durwood Stephenson Park, Smithfield, NC 27577
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Neuse Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Choice Plus Academy (rated 4.8/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 4.7/10, 3.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, JCPS Virtual Academy (rated 3.7/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Smithfield, see our Smithfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Smithfield Middle Smithfield | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield | 2.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Choice Plus Academy Smithfield | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Selma Elementary Selma | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| South Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 3.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Selma Middle School Selma | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield | 3.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 4.3 mi | — |
| Pine Level Elementary Pine Level | 4.3 mi | 9.4 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 5.2 mi | 7.9 |
| North Johnston Middle Micro | 6.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks | 7.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 7.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Micro Elementary Micro | 7.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Thanksgiving Elementary Selma | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
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 Neuse Charter School 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 |
|---|---|
| ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Swannanoa, NC | 5.0 |
| College Prep and Leadership Academy Jamestown, NC | 5.0 |
| GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia, NC | 5.0 |
| Falls Lake Academy Creedmoor, NC | 5.1 |
| CALVARY DAY SCHOOL Winston-Salem, NC | 5.2 |
| COVENANT DAY SCHOOL Matthews, NC | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Neuse Charter School
What grades does Neuse Charter School serve?
Neuse Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Neuse Charter School?
Neuse Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 912 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Neuse Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Neuse Charter School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Neuse Charter School rank in NC?
Neuse Charter School is ranked #2116 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Neuse Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Neuse Charter School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Neuse Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Neuse Charter School has 52.8% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Neuse Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Neuse Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Neuse Charter School a Title I school?
No, Neuse Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,069/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Smithfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 912
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 626-2300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Neuse Charter School- District Enrollment
- 912
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,631
- 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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