Excellent
#11 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
The Innovation Academy at South Campus
Middle School · Johnston County Public Schools · Smithfield, NC
A Johnston County Public Schools middle school where students score 36 points above what's typical for similar communities.
521 Martin Luther King Dr, Smithfield, NC 27577
- Math 81% vs NC 54% (2025)
- Reading 85% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at The Innovation Academy at South Campus score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ ImprovingProficiency has improved 29 points since 2020, reaching 83% in 2025, across a 9-year record (2017–2025).
Show all 7 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 61% (multi-year average, 2017-2025) · reading/ELA 71% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 20 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where The Innovation Academy at South Campus sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Raleigh map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 40Car-Dependent
- Bike 35Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,069/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Smithfield), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$56,237
Median home value
$230,200
Median rent
$802/mo
College educated
21.5%
Homeownership
67.2%
Poverty rate
21%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 27577; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice Plus AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 3.6 | K–12 | 0.6 mi | 70 | Compare → |
| Jcps Virtual AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 4.9 | K–12 | 1.9 mi | 333 | Compare → |
| Smithfield MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 3.9 | 6–8 | 1.9 mi | 530 | Compare → |
| Neuse Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 5.5 | K–12 | 2.3 mi | 912 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Johnston County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 48
- Rank in district
- #1 of 48
- District spending per student
- $11,352NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 12.5%Census SAIPE · 2024
The Innovation Academy at South Campus is listed in Johnston County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About The Innovation Academy at South Campus
The Innovation Academy at South Campus is a public middle school in Smithfield, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools, serving approximately 262 students in grades 6th-8th with a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #11 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about The Innovation Academy at South Campus
What grades does The Innovation Academy at South Campus serve?
The Innovation Academy at South Campus serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend The Innovation Academy at South Campus?
The Innovation Academy at South Campus has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Innovation Academy at South Campus?
The student-teacher ratio at The Innovation Academy at South Campus is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Innovation Academy at South Campus rank in NC?
The Innovation Academy at South Campus ranks #11 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is The Innovation Academy at South Campus's MySchoolScout rating?
The Innovation Academy at South Campus has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 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 The Innovation Academy at South Campus?
Based on loaded state assessment records, The Innovation Academy at South Campus has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).
Is The Innovation Academy at South Campus a charter school?
No, The Innovation Academy at South Campus is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is The Innovation Academy at South Campus a Title I school?
No, The Innovation Academy at South Campus is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Innovation Academy at South Campus?
98.9% of students at The Innovation Academy at South Campus qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 262
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Johnston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.7%
- Phone
- (919) 934-6481
- Area population (ZIP 27577)
- 26,946
- Area average commute
- 27.6 min
- Area median age
- 40.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 27577; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2017-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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