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Average

#1042 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 39% in state

Princeton High

High School · Johnston County Public Schools

PO Box 38, Princeton, NC 27569

Enrollment

1,021

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,042 of 2,648

In Princeton

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#13 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Equity

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Princeton High

6.9/10

High School in Princeton · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Princeton Elementary

6.8/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Rosewood Elementary

6.3/10

5.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Princeton High

Princeton High is a public high school in Princeton, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Princeton High serves approximately 1,021 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Princeton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,042 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Princeton High show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Princeton High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Princeton High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+4.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,352
Chronic Absenteeism30.7%

Princeton High — Students at Princeton High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 53.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 53.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
91%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
58.7%
ELA
48.7%
2025
Math
60.6%
ELA
52.3%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Princeton High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in NC
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Sports
26
13 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.7%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics26sports offered
13 boys'·13 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.2/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Smithfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Johnston Co Early College Academy (rated 8.0/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Smithfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Johnston High (rated 6.5/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Kenly), with a comparable 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 6.8
Rosewood Elementary Goldsboro 5.1 mi 6.3
Rosewood High Goldsboro 5.8 mi 5.7
Rosewood Middle Goldsboro 6.1 mi 5.6
Micro Elementary Micro 6.8 mi 9.0
Pine Level Elementary Pine Level 6.0 mi 9.0
North Johnston High Kenly 7.3 mi 6.5
North Johnston Middle Micro 7.2 mi 5.6
Northwest Elementary Pikeville 7.3 mi 6.9
Selma Middle School Selma 8.7 mi 4.0
Selma Elementary Selma 8.7 mi 5.3
Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly 10.7 mi 6.7
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro 9.4 mi 5.5
Grantham Elementary Goldsboro 11.9 mi 8.2
Grantham Middle Goldsboro 12.0 mi 6.5
Dillard Academy Goldsboro 10.5 mi 5.4
Neuse Charter School Smithfield 10.3 mi 5.5
Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield 10.1 mi 8.2
Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield 10.3 mi 6.1
Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield 10.2 mi 8.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Mount Airy High Mount Airy, NC 6.9
Northern Nash High Rocky Mount, NC 6.9
R-S Central High School Rutherfordton, NC 6.9
Sun Valley High Monroe, NC 6.9
Chase High School Forest City, NC 7.0
East Henderson High East Flat Rock, NC 7.0

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 ranks #1,042 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Princeton High's MySchoolScout rating?

Princeton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Princeton High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Princeton High has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.7%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

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

How we rate schools

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