Excellent
#219 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% in state
Princeton Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
650 Holt's Pond Rd, Princeton, NC 27569
Enrollment
787
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
787
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Princeton
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#196 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Princeton Elementary
Princeton Elementary is a public elementary school in Princeton, NC, part of the Johnston County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 787 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 91.8th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 59% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 50% in reading/language arts, 3 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $73,507, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Princeton Elementary 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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Princeton Elementary — Students at Princeton Elementary score 62% 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 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: 9.6/10.
How Princeton Elementary Compares
See how Princeton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 68.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 56.2% (2025).
Location
650 Holt's Pond Rd, Princeton, NC 27569
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Princeton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pine Level Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Level), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Micro Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Micro), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Grantham Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Goldsboro), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Princeton, see our Princeton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton High Princeton | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Pine Level Elementary Pine Level | 5.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Micro Elementary Micro | 6.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Rosewood Elementary Goldsboro | 5.8 mi | 7.9 |
| North Johnston Middle Micro | 7.0 mi | 8.0 |
| North Johnston High Kenly | 7.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Rosewood High Goldsboro | 6.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Rosewood Middle Goldsboro | 6.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Selma Middle School Selma | 8.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Selma Elementary Selma | 7.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Northwest Elementary Pikeville | 8.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly | 10.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield | 9.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Neuse Charter School Smithfield | 9.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield | 9.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield | 9.4 mi | 5.8 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield | 9.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Grantham Elementary Goldsboro | 11.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Smithfield Middle Smithfield | 9.9 mi | 5.7 |
| JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield | 9.9 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27569 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,507
Median Home Value
$194,000
Median Rent
$967/mo
Population
8,396
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
29.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Princeton Elementary has a median household income of $73,507. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $194,000, with a median rent of $967/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Apex Friendship Elementary Apex, NC | 8.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Midland, NC | 8.5 |
| Cash Elementary Kernersville, NC | 8.5 |
| Conn Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.5 |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary, NC | 8.5 |
| Florence Elementary High Point, NC | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Princeton Elementary
What grades does Princeton Elementary serve?
Princeton Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Princeton Elementary?
Princeton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 787 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Princeton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Princeton Elementary is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Princeton Elementary rank in NC?
Princeton Elementary is ranked #219 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Princeton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Princeton Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Princeton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Princeton Elementary has 58.6% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Princeton Elementary a charter school?
No, Princeton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Princeton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Princeton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Princeton Elementary?
99.6% of students at Princeton 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 787
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 936-0755
- 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
- #12 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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