Very Good
#845 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 32% in state
North Johnston High
High School · Johnston County Public Schools
PO Box 339, Kenly, NC 27542
Enrollment
798
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
798
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kenly
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#49 of 579
In district
#30 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About North Johnston High
North Johnston High serves grades 9 through 12 in Kenly, a rural area of Johnston County, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 798 students and 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, offering a manageable classroom environment for high school learners. Academically, North Johnston High ranks in the 73rd percentile statewide, placing it #708 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.
The school has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9/10, with an academic score of 6.4/10. Currently, 42% of students score proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% meet proficiency in Math, indicating room for academic growth in core subject areas. As a regular public high school, North Johnston serves the rural community of Kenly, providing comprehensive secondary education to local students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Johnston High 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Johnston High — Students at North Johnston High score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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: 8.6/10.
How North Johnston High Compares
See how North Johnston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 45.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 58.5% (2025).
Location
PO Box 339, Kenly, NC 27542
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Johnston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Johnston County Schools Career Technical (rated 7.8/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Smithfield), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Johnston Co Early College Academy (rated 7.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Smithfield), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Princeton High (rated 6.8/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Princeton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kenly, see our Kenly schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Elementary Micro | 1.3 mi | 8.9 |
| North Johnston Middle Micro | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly | 3.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Pine Level Elementary Pine Level | 5.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Selma Middle School Selma | 5.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Selma Elementary Selma | 5.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Princeton Elementary Princeton | 7.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Princeton High Princeton | 7.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Neuse Charter School Smithfield | 8.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Smithfield Middle Smithfield | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield | 9.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield | 9.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield | 9.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Thanksgiving Elementary Selma | 9.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Northwest Elementary Pikeville | 10.0 mi | 8.4 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield | 10.0 mi | 8.6 |
| STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield | 9.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 9.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Rock Ridge Elementary Wilson | 11.2 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27542 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,157
Median Home Value
$180,800
Median Rent
$769/mo
Population
9,441
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
71.4%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Johnston High has a median household income of $56,157. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,800, with a median rent of $769/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| North Wilkes High School Hays, NC | 7.3 |
| Chase High School Forest City, NC | 7.2 |
| Penn-Griffin Schools High Point, NC | 7.2 |
| First Flight High School Kill Devil Hills, NC | 7.5 |
| Jones Senior High School Trenton, NC | 7.5 |
| Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Johnston High
What grades does North Johnston High serve?
North Johnston High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Johnston High?
North Johnston High has an enrollment of approximately 798 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Johnston High?
The student-teacher ratio at North Johnston High is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Johnston High rank in NC?
North Johnston High is ranked #845 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Johnston High's MySchoolScout rating?
North Johnston High has a composite rating of 7.3 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 North Johnston High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Johnston High has 36.4% math proficiency and 42.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Johnston High a charter school?
No, North Johnston High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Johnston High a Title I school?
No, North Johnston High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Johnston High?
99.6% of students at North Johnston High 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 798
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 284-2031
- 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
- #30 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.