Excellent
#252 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 10% in state
Polenta Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
105 Josephine Road, Garner, NC 27529
Enrollment
993
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
993
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Garner
#4 of 14
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#224 of 1,474
In district
#14 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Polenta Elementary
Polenta Elementary is a public elementary school in Garner, NC, part of the Johnston County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 993 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 90.5th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math, 5 points below the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $86,426, where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Polenta Elementary — Students at Polenta Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 12 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: 9.5/10.
How Polenta Elementary Compares
See how Polenta Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 61.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 59.2% (2025).
Location
105 Josephine Road, Garner, NC 27529
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polenta Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dixon Road Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Willow Spring), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cooper Academy (rated 8.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bryan Road Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 8.0 miles away), 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 | 4.2 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| West Johnston High Benson | 3.4 mi | 4.4 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 3.5 mi | 8.2 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 5.5 mi | 7.5 |
| McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson | 5.1 mi | 7.3 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 5.2 mi | 8.0 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 5.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring | 5.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 6.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 6.3 mi | 5.2 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 6.7 mi | — |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 7.0 mi | 8.8 |
| South Garner High Garner | 7.1 mi | 5.7 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 7.8 mi | — |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 6.9 mi | — |
| Bryan Road Elementary Garner | 8.0 mi | 8.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polenta Elementary has a median household income of $86,426. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $325,600, with a median rent of $1,379/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Abbotts Creek Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.4 |
| Barwell Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.4 |
| Collinswood Language Academy Charlotte, NC | 8.4 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks, NC | 8.4 |
| Millers Creek Elementary School Millers Creek, NC | 8.4 |
| Northwest Elementary Pikeville, NC | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #252 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polenta Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Polenta Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Polenta Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polenta Elementary has 54.6% math proficiency and 53.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Garner). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 989-6039
- 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
- #14 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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