Skip to main content

Average

#1959 of 2,648 schools in NC

South Johnston High

High School · Johnston County Public Schools

10381 US Hwy 301 S, Four Oaks, NC 27524

Enrollment

1,332

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,959 of 2,648

In Four Oaks

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#36 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Equity

8.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around South Johnston High?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

South Johnston High

5.1/10

High School in Four Oaks · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benson Middle

5.1/10

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

Benson Elementary

6.8/10

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

About South Johnston High

South Johnston High is a public high school in Four Oaks, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. South Johnston High serves approximately 1,332 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. South Johnston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,959 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for South Johnston High show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

South Johnston 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+5.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation0.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,352
Chronic Absenteeism28.9%

South Johnston High — Students at South Johnston High score 57% 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

99.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 44.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 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
83%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
61.1%
ELA
53%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How South Johnston High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 3
Sports
29
14 boys' · 15 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
17:1 student-teacher ratio
78 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
0.1% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics29sports offered
14 boys'·15 girls'·29 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

10381 US Hwy 301 S, Four Oaks, NC 27524

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Johnston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harnett County Early College (rated 8.5/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Dunn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cleveland High (rated 6.5/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Johnston High (rated 5.9/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Benson), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Four Oaks, see our Four Oaks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Benson Middle Benson 2.2 mi 5.1
Benson Elementary Benson 3.1 mi 6.8
Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks 4.8 mi 7.0
Meadow School Benson 6.7 mi 7.3
Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks 6.1 mi 5.7
West Johnston High Benson 8.1 mi 5.9
McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson 8.2 mi 5.3
McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier 8.3 mi 6.3
West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield 8.3 mi 4.7
Dunn Middle Dunn 8.1 mi 5.3
Harnett County Early College Dunn 8.9 mi 8.5
Cleveland High Clayton 9.9 mi 6.5
Dunn Elementary Dunn 9.2 mi 6.4
BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn 9.4 mi 7.0
Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring 10.0 mi 8.0
Polenta Elementary Garner 10.9 mi 6.4
Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn 9.3 mi 4.9
Swift Creek Middle Clayton 11.5 mi 7.7
South Smithfield Elementary Smithfield 10.2 mi 4.2
Cleveland Middle Garner 11.7 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27524 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,141

Median Home Value

$210,900

Median Rent

$1,011/mo

Population

14,420

College Educated

16.5%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

31.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

34.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North Surry High Mount Airy, NC 5.1
Rocky Mount High Rocky Mount, NC 5.1
Western Harnett High Lillington, NC 5.1
Charles B Aycock High Pikeville, NC 5.0
New Bern High New Bern, NC 5.0
Red Springs High Red Springs, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Johnston High

What grades does South Johnston High serve?

South Johnston High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Johnston High?

South Johnston High has an enrollment of approximately 1,332 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Johnston High?

The student-teacher ratio at South Johnston High is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Johnston High rank in NC?

South Johnston High ranks #1,959 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is South Johnston High's MySchoolScout rating?

South Johnston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 South Johnston High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Johnston High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Johnston High a charter school?

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

Is South Johnston High a Title I school?

No, South Johnston High is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.8% of students at South Johnston 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
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,332
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
78
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Johnston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.9%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.