Below Average
#2416 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
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,332
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Four Oaks
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#465 of 579
In district
#45 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
About South Johnston High
South Johnston High serves 1,332 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Four Oaks, North Carolina. With 78 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, providing reasonable class sizes for personalized attention. The school ranks #1,221 out of 2,661 high schools statewide, placing it in the 54th percentile among North Carolina schools with room for academic growth.
Current performance shows 53% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 49% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results indicate the school is working to strengthen student outcomes across core subject areas. South Johnston High draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $68,549 and median home value is $185,400.
The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 9.9%, reflecting a generally middle-income population. About 17% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting a community that values practical skills and diverse educational pathways. The school's location on US Highway 301 South places it at the heart of Johnston County's agricultural region, where students experience the close-knit atmosphere characteristic of rural North Carolina communities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Johnston 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
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South Johnston High — Students at South Johnston High score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 6.6/10.
How South Johnston High Compares
See how South Johnston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 36.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 53% (2025).
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 7.4/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Dunn), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Johnston High (rated 4.4/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Benson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cleveland High (rated 4.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Clayton), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.2 |
| Benson Elementary Benson | 3.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks | 4.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Meadow School Benson | 6.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks | 6.1 mi | 7.8 |
| West Johnston High Benson | 8.1 mi | 4.4 |
| McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson | 8.2 mi | 7.3 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 8.3 mi | 8.0 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 8.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Dunn Middle Dunn | 8.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Harnett County Early College Dunn | 8.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 9.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Dunn Elementary Dunn | 9.2 mi | 5.8 |
| BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn | 9.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring | 10.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 10.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn | 9.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 11.5 mi | 7.0 |
| South Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 10.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 11.7 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Johnston High has a median household income of $76,141. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,900, with a median rent of $1,011/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
| East Wake High Wendell, NC | 4.2 |
| Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville, NC | 4.2 |
| Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown, NC | 4.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion, NC | 4.2 |
| Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant, NC | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #2416 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Johnston High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Johnston High has a composite rating of 4.2 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 South Johnston High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Johnston High has 36.5% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Four Oaks). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 894-3146
- 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
- #45 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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