Excellent
#218 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% in state
West Clayton Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
1012 S Lombard St, Clayton, NC 27520
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#4 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#195 of 1,474
In district
#11 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About West Clayton Elementary
West Clayton Elementary is a public elementary school in Clayton, NC, part of the Johnston County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 718 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 91.8th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 47% proficiency in math, 12 points below the state average and 45% in reading/language arts, 8 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $84,545, where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
West Clayton Elementary — Students at West Clayton Elementary score 53% 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: 9.4/10.
How West Clayton Elementary Compares
See how West Clayton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 56.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 50.1% (2025).
Location
1012 S Lombard St, Clayton, NC 27520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Clayton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cooper Academy (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Riverwood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Powhatan Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton High Clayton | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 1.4 mi | 8.8 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| KIDS R KIDS Clayton | 1.8 mi | — |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 2.2 mi | — |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 4.7 mi | 7.0 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 3.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 4.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 4.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 4.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 5.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 6.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 6.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 6.5 mi | 6.6 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 6.2 mi | 8.2 |
| South Garner High Garner | 6.2 mi | 5.7 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 7.2 mi | — |
| Barwell Road Elementary Raleigh | 7.6 mi | 8.4 |
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 West Clayton Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Apex Friendship Elementary Apex, NC | 8.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Midland, NC | 8.5 |
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.5 |
| Cash Elementary Kernersville, NC | 8.5 |
| Conn Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.5 |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary, NC | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Clayton Elementary
What grades does West Clayton Elementary serve?
West Clayton Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West Clayton Elementary?
West Clayton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Clayton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Clayton Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Clayton Elementary rank in NC?
West Clayton Elementary is ranked #218 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Clayton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Clayton Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 West Clayton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Clayton Elementary has 47.0% math proficiency and 45.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Clayton Elementary a charter school?
No, West Clayton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Clayton Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Clayton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Clayton Elementary?
99.6% of students at West Clayton 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 (Clayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Phone
- (919) 553-7113
- 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
- #11 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.