Very Good
#1028 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 39% 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
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#9 of 13
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#116 of 475
In district
#36 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Swift Creek Middle
Swift Creek Middle is a regular public middle school located in Clayton, North Carolina, within Johnston County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 698 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. Swift Creek Middle boasts 44 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the academic and social development of its students.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, reflecting that there is room for improvement in terms of overall performance. Its state ranking at #1156 out of 2661 schools suggests it falls in the middle range when compared to other North Carolina schools. Swift Creek Middle's academic score stands at 5.7/10, with ELA and reading proficiency rates at around 50% and math proficiency rates slightly higher at 52%.
These figures indicate areas where the school can focus on growth and improvement. Set in a rural area near a town, Swift Creek Middle is part of a community that values education but may also face challenges typical of smaller towns.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Swift Creek Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Swift Creek Middle — Students at Swift Creek Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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: 8.0/10.
How Swift Creek Middle Compares
See how Swift Creek Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 57.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 52.6% (2025).
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. Clayton Middle (rated 7.5/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McGee's Crossroads Middle (rated 7.3/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Benson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cleveland Middle (rated 6.6/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Garner), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.2 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 4.5 mi | 5.4 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 4.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 3.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 4.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 4.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 5.2 mi | 5.2 |
| West Johnston High Benson | 5.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 5.7 mi | 8.8 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 4.8 mi | — |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 6.0 mi | 6.3 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 6.2 mi | — |
| West View Elementary Garner | 5.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 5.9 mi | 8.6 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 6.3 mi | 7.9 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 7.0 mi | — |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 6.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 6.5 mi | 8.1 |
| McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson | 7.1 mi | 7.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swift Creek Middle has a median household income of $84,545. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $282,200, with a median rent of $1,430/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Chase Middle School Forest City, NC | 7.0 |
| Chestnut Grove Middle School King, NC | 7.0 |
| H J MacDonald Middle New Bern, NC | 7.0 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton, NC | 7.0 |
| Moyock Middle Moyock, NC | 7.0 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville, NC | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #1028 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swift Creek Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Swift Creek Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Swift Creek Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swift Creek Middle has 51.6% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clayton). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 262-0750
- 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
- #36 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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