Excellent
#183 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 7% in state
Powhatan Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
3145 Vinson Rd, Clayton, NC 27527
Enrollment
614
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
614
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#3 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#164 of 1,474
In district
#9 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Powhatan Elementary
Powhatan Elementary is a public elementary school in Clayton, NC, part of the Johnston County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 614 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.1th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math, 5 points above the state average and 64% in reading/language arts, 11 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $111,011, where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Powhatan Elementary — Students at Powhatan Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.3%
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: 9.8/10.
How Powhatan Elementary Compares
See how Powhatan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 74.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 70.6% (2025).
Location
3145 Vinson Rd, Clayton, NC 27527
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Powhatan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cooper Academy (rated 8.8/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Riverwood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Clayton Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| River Dell Elementary Clayton | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield | 3.8 mi | 4.7 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 4.5 mi | — |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 3.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 4.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 4.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Thanksgiving Elementary Selma | 4.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Archer Lodge Middle Wendell | 5.4 mi | 7.6 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 4.6 mi | 8.5 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 5.5 mi | — |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 5.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 5.9 mi | 7.0 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 5.9 mi | 5.4 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 6.1 mi | — |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Corinth Holders High Wendell | 7.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Smithfield Middle Smithfield | 7.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27527 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,011
Median Home Value
$360,700
Median Rent
$1,617/mo
Population
35,968
College Educated
45.5%
Homeownership
84.8%
Avg Commute
34.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Powhatan Elementary has a median household income of $111,011. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,700, with a median rent of $1,617/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Barton Pond Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.6 |
| Corinth-Holders Elementary Zebulon, NC | 8.6 |
| Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro, NC | 8.6 |
| Hasty Elementary Thomasville, NC | 8.6 |
| John Van Lindley Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.6 |
| Kingswood Elementary Cary, NC | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Powhatan Elementary
What grades does Powhatan Elementary serve?
Powhatan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Powhatan Elementary?
Powhatan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 614 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Powhatan Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Powhatan Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Powhatan Elementary rank in NC?
Powhatan Elementary is ranked #183 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Powhatan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Powhatan Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Powhatan Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Powhatan Elementary has 64.1% math proficiency and 63.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Powhatan Elementary a charter school?
No, Powhatan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Powhatan Elementary a Title I school?
No, Powhatan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Powhatan Elementary?
38.3% of students at Powhatan 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 (Clayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 614
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 553-3259
- 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
- #9 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.