Below Average
#2305 of 2,648 schools in NC
South Smithfield Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
201 W Sanders St, Smithfield, NC 27577
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,305 of 2,648
In Smithfield
#8 of 10
public schools
In district
#45 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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South Smithfield Elementary
Elementary School in Smithfield · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Choice Plus Academy
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Innovation Academy at South Campus
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Smithfield Elementary
South Smithfield Elementary is a public elementary school in Smithfield, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. South Smithfield Elementary serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. South Smithfield Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,305 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for South Smithfield Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at South Smithfield Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Smithfield Elementary — Students at South Smithfield Elementary score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.5/10.
How South Smithfield Elementary Compares
See how South Smithfield Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
201 W Sanders St, Smithfield, NC 27577
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Smithfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pine Level Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Level), which scores notably higher. Another option is Four Oaks Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Powhatan Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Smithfield, see our Smithfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Choice Plus Academy Smithfield | 0.6 mi | 3.6 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield | 1.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Smithfield Middle Smithfield | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Neuse Charter School Smithfield | 3.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks | 4.4 mi | 5.7 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 4.7 mi | — |
| STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield | 5.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 5.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Selma Elementary Selma | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks | 5.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Selma Middle School Selma | 5.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Pine Level Elementary Pine Level | 6.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 9.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 8.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 8.8 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27577 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,237
Median Home Value
$230,200
Median Rent
$802/mo
Population
26,946
College Educated
21.5%
Homeownership
67.2%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
21%
Median Age
40.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arthur W Edwards Elementary Havelock, NC | 4.2 |
| Baileywick Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 4.2 |
| Benjamin J Martin Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 4.2 |
| Benvenue Elementary Rocky Mount, NC | 4.2 |
| Hall-Woodward Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 4.2 |
| Highland Renaissance Academy Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Smithfield Elementary
What grades does South Smithfield Elementary serve?
South Smithfield Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Smithfield Elementary?
South Smithfield Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Smithfield Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Smithfield Elementary is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Smithfield Elementary rank in NC?
South Smithfield Elementary ranks #2,305 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Smithfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Smithfield Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Smithfield Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Smithfield Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Smithfield Elementary a charter school?
No, South Smithfield Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Smithfield Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Smithfield Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Smithfield Elementary?
99.4% of students at South Smithfield 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Johnston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.6%
- Phone
- (919) 934-8979
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
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