Average
#1291 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 49% in state
Polenta Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
105 Josephine Road, Garner, NC 27529
Enrollment
993
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
993
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,291 of 2,648
In Garner
#5 of 14
public schools
In district
#22 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Equity
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Polenta Elementary
Elementary School in Garner · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cleveland High
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cleveland Elementary
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polenta Elementary
Polenta Elementary is a public elementary school in Garner, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Polenta Elementary serves approximately 993 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Polenta Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,291 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Polenta Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Polenta Elementary — Students at Polenta Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.0/10.
How Polenta Elementary Compares
See how Polenta Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
105 Josephine Road, Garner, NC 27529
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polenta Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bryan Road Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 8.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dixon Road Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Willow Spring), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Johnston Charter Academy (rated 7.3/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Garner, see our Garner schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland High Clayton | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| West Johnston High Benson | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 5.5 mi | 4.4 |
| McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 5.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring | 5.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 6.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 6.3 mi | 5.7 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 6.7 mi | — |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 7.0 mi | 5.0 |
| South Garner High Garner | 7.1 mi | 6.7 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 7.8 mi | — |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 6.9 mi | — |
| Bryan Road Elementary Garner | 8.0 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27529 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,426
Median Home Value
$325,600
Median Rent
$1,379/mo
Population
55,201
College Educated
40.6%
Homeownership
72.8%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
39
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Briarwood Academy Charlotte, NC | 6.4 |
| Collinswood Language Academy Charlotte, NC | 6.4 |
| Dunn Elementary Dunn, NC | 6.4 |
| Lakeshore Elementary Mooresville, NC | 6.4 |
| Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington, NC | 6.4 |
| River Dell Elementary Clayton, NC | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polenta Elementary
What grades does Polenta Elementary serve?
Polenta Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Polenta Elementary?
Polenta Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 993 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polenta Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Polenta Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polenta Elementary rank in NC?
Polenta Elementary ranks #1,291 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polenta Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Polenta Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Polenta Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polenta Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Polenta Elementary a charter school?
No, Polenta Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polenta Elementary a Title I school?
No, Polenta Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polenta Elementary?
99.7% of students at Polenta Elementary 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 993
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 66
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.9%
- Phone
- (919) 989-6039
Resources & Links
District
Johnston County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 37,289
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,352
- District Rank
- #22 of 48
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