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Average

#1140 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 43% in state

Princeton High

High School · Johnston County Public Schools

PO Box 38, Princeton, NC 27569

Enrollment

1,021

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Princeton

#2 of 2

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#92 of 579

In district

#37 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Princeton High

Princeton High serves 1,021 students in grades 6-12 in Princeton, North Carolina, a rural Johnston County community. With 64 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 16:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful student-teacher interactions. Academically, Princeton High holds a middle-tier position among North Carolina schools, ranking #1,179 out of 2,661 statewide and earning a 5.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout.

The school shows particular strength in mathematics, with 58% of students performing at proficient or above levels, while 54% achieve proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These scores indicate solid foundational learning with room for continued academic growth. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $63,843 and home values average $171,500.

With a relatively low poverty rate of 9.8%, families in the area generally enjoy economic stability, though only 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting potential for increased educational advancement. Princeton High operates in a rural setting near town, providing students with the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities that support their development through the critical middle and high school years.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Princeton 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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,788

Princeton High — Students at Princeton High score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.8%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2025
Math
55.2%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Princeton High Compares

See how Princeton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
57th percentile in NC
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers

Location

PO Box 38, Princeton, NC 27569

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Princeton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Johnston County Schools Career Technical (rated 7.8/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Smithfield), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Johnston High (rated 7.3/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Kenly), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Johnston Co Early College Academy (rated 7.1/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Smithfield), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Princeton, see our Princeton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Princeton Elementary Princeton 1.1 mi 8.5
Rosewood Elementary Goldsboro 5.1 mi 7.9
Rosewood High Goldsboro 5.8 mi 5.4
Rosewood Middle Goldsboro 6.1 mi 6.9
Micro Elementary Micro 6.8 mi 8.9
Pine Level Elementary Pine Level 6.0 mi 9.4
North Johnston High Kenly 7.3 mi 7.3
North Johnston Middle Micro 7.2 mi 8.0
Northwest Elementary Pikeville 7.3 mi 8.4
Selma Middle School Selma 8.7 mi 7.4
Selma Elementary Selma 8.7 mi 8.0
Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly 10.7 mi 8.0
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro 9.4 mi 5.5
Grantham Elementary Goldsboro 11.9 mi 8.5
Grantham Middle Goldsboro 12.0 mi 7.0
Dillard Academy Goldsboro 10.5 mi 4.6
Neuse Charter School Smithfield 10.3 mi 5.0
Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield 10.1 mi 7.8
Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield 10.3 mi 5.8
Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield 10.2 mi 7.1

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 High 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
Central Academy of Technology and Arts Monroe, NC 6.8
Nash Central High Rocky Mount, NC 6.8
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro, NC 6.8
Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte, NC 6.7
Pisgah High Canton, NC 6.7
East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Princeton High

What grades does Princeton High serve?

Princeton High serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Princeton High?

Princeton High has an enrollment of approximately 1,021 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Princeton High?

The student-teacher ratio at Princeton High is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Princeton High rank in NC?

Princeton High is ranked #1140 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Princeton High's MySchoolScout rating?

Princeton High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Princeton High has 49.8% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Princeton High a charter school?

No, Princeton High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Princeton High a Title I school?

No, Princeton High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Princeton High?

99.7% of students at Princeton 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (649/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
1,021
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Johnston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Johnston County Public Schools
District Enrollment
37,289
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,352
District Rank
#37 of 48

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 methodology

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