Very Good
#548 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
South Smithfield Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
201 W Sanders St, Smithfield, NC 27577
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Smithfield
#3 of 10
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#482 of 1,474
In district
#24 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About South Smithfield Elementary
South Smithfield Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Smithfield, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 463 students and maintains a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting is ideal for young learners, situated in a town that lies just outside an urban area, providing easy access to community resources while maintaining a close-knit feel.
Academically, South Smithfield Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks as the 44th percentile among schools in North Carolina at number 1481 out of 2661 total schools. Test performance data shows that 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 37% meet proficiency standards in Math. While these scores indicate there is room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development and supportive learning environments.
South Smithfield Elementary sits amidst a vibrant community in Smithfield, making it an engaging place for young students to learn and grow.
Score Breakdown
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South Smithfield Elementary — Students at South Smithfield Elementary score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 12 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: 9.2/10.
How South Smithfield Elementary Compares
See how South Smithfield Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 43.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 38.1% (2025).
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 9.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Level), which scores notably higher. Another option is Powhatan Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Four Oaks Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), which scores slightly 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 | 4.8 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Smithfield Middle Smithfield | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield | 2.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield | 2.8 mi | 5.8 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Neuse Charter School Smithfield | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks | 4.4 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Selma Elementary Selma | 5.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks | 5.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Selma Middle School Selma | 5.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Pine Level Elementary Pine Level | 6.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 9.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 8.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 8.8 mi | 4.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Smithfield Elementary has a median household income of $56,237. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,200, with a median rent of $802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Aquadale Elementary Norwood, NC | 7.8 |
| Ashley Park PreK-8 School Charlotte, NC | 7.8 |
| Belvoir Elementary Greenville, NC | 7.8 |
| Benton Heights Elementary Monroe, NC | 7.8 |
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden, NC | 7.8 |
| Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #548 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Smithfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Smithfield Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 South Smithfield Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Smithfield Elementary has 36.7% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Smithfield). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 934-8979
- 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
- #24 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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