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Very Good

#614 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 23% in state

Swift Creek Middle

Middle School · Johnston County Public Schools

325 Norris Rd, Clayton, NC 27520

Enrollment

698

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

7.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#614 of 2,648

In Clayton

#2 of 13

public schools

In district

#9 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Swift Creek Middle

7.7/10

Middle School in Clayton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cleveland High

6.5/10

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

Polenta Elementary

6.4/10

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

About Swift Creek Middle

Swift Creek Middle is a public middle school in Clayton, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Swift Creek Middle serves approximately 698 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Swift Creek Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #614 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Swift Creek Middle show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.7
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Swift Creek Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+2.02 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,352
Chronic Absenteeism29.5%

Swift Creek Middle — Students at Swift Creek Middle score 55% 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

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.5% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 48.4% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 20 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2017
Math
41%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
56.8%
ELA
55.3%
2025
Math
58.2%
ELA
52.8%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Swift Creek Middle Compares

See how Swift Creek Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
77th percentile in NC
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
5.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.5%

Programs & Offerings

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

325 Norris Rd, Clayton, NC 27520

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swift Creek Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cleveland Middle (rated 5.6/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Garner), a more accessible option. Another option is McGee's Crossroads Middle (rated 5.3/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Benson), a more accessible option. Additionally, Clayton Middle (rated 4.4/10, 4.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Cleveland High Clayton 2.1 mi 6.5
Polenta Elementary Garner 2.2 mi 6.4
SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton 4.5 mi 5.4
West Clayton Elementary Clayton 4.7 mi 4.8
Cleveland Elementary Clayton 3.9 mi 7.2
Clayton Middle Clayton 4.8 mi 4.4
Cleveland Middle Garner 4.2 mi 5.6
Clayton High Clayton 5.2 mi 5.7
West Johnston High Benson 5.1 mi 5.9
Cooper Academy Clayton 5.7 mi 5.0
American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh 4.8 mi
Johnston Charter Academy Clayton 6.0 mi 7.3
KIDS R KIDS Clayton 6.2 mi
West View Elementary Garner 5.3 mi 5.4
Powhatan Elementary Clayton 5.9 mi 6.5
West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield 6.3 mi 4.7
ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton 7.0 mi
East Clayton Elementary Clayton 6.5 mi 4.8
Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills 6.5 mi 5.1
McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson 7.1 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27520 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,545

Median Home Value

$282,200

Median Rent

$1,430/mo

Population

48,662

College Educated

29%

Homeownership

76.3%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

37.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Broad Creek Middle Newport, NC 7.7
Coulwood STEM Academy Charlotte, NC 7.7
Leesville Road Middle Raleigh, NC 7.7
Ligon Middle Raleigh, NC 7.7
Lincoln Academy Greensboro, NC 7.7
Oak Grove Middle Winston-Salem, NC 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swift Creek Middle

What grades does Swift Creek Middle serve?

Swift Creek Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Swift Creek Middle?

Swift Creek Middle has an enrollment of approximately 698 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swift Creek Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Swift Creek Middle is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swift Creek Middle rank in NC?

Swift Creek Middle ranks #614 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Swift Creek Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Swift Creek Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Swift Creek Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Swift Creek Middle has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

Is Swift Creek Middle a charter school?

No, Swift Creek Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Swift Creek Middle a Title I school?

No, Swift Creek Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swift Creek Middle?

99.6% of students at Swift Creek Middle 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Johnston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.5%

District

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

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