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Average

#1557 of 2,648 schools in NC

West Johnston High

High School · Johnston County Public Schools

5935 Raleigh Road, Benson, NC 27504

Enrollment

1,593

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,557 of 2,648

In Benson

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#27 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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West Johnston High

5.9/10

High School in Benson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mcgee's Crossroads Middle

5.3/10

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

Mcgee's Crossroads Elem

6.3/10

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

About West Johnston High

West Johnston High is a public high school in Benson, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. West Johnston High serves approximately 1,593 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio. West Johnston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,557 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Johnston High show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

West Johnston High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate94%
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,352
Chronic Absenteeism16.4%

West Johnston High — Students at West Johnston High score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
56%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
44%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
53.7%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How West Johnston High Compares

See how West Johnston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in NC
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
28
13 boys' · 15 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
8.9% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics28sports offered
13 boys'·15 girls'·28 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

5935 Raleigh Road, Benson, NC 27504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Johnston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Garner High (rated 6.7/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cleveland High (rated 6.5/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clayton High (rated 5.7/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Clayton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Benson, see our Benson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.7 mi
School Distance Rating
McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson 2.2 mi 5.3
McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier 2.4 mi 6.3
Cleveland High Clayton 3.0 mi 6.5
Polenta Elementary Garner 3.4 mi 6.4
Cleveland Middle Garner 3.6 mi 5.6
Cleveland Elementary Clayton 3.9 mi 7.2
Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring 3.3 mi 8.0
West View Elementary Garner 5.2 mi 5.4
Swift Creek Middle Clayton 5.1 mi 7.7
South Johnston High Four Oaks 8.1 mi 5.1
SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton 8.2 mi 5.4
Benson Elementary Benson 8.6 mi 6.8
Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks 7.7 mi 7.0
West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield 7.5 mi 4.7
Clayton Middle Clayton 8.9 mi 4.4
Benson Middle Benson 9.2 mi 5.1
West Clayton Elementary Clayton 9.1 mi 4.8
South Garner High Garner 9.4 mi 6.7
Johnston Charter Academy Clayton 9.8 mi 7.3
Clayton High Clayton 9.7 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,376

Median Home Value

$217,400

Median Rent

$995/mo

Population

15,999

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Currituck County High Barco, NC 5.9
Lee County High Sanford, NC 5.9
Northside High Jacksonville, NC 5.9
Walter M Williams High Burlington, NC 5.9
CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL Raleigh, NC 6.0
Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville, NC 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Johnston High

What grades does West Johnston High serve?

West Johnston High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Johnston High?

West Johnston High has an enrollment of approximately 1,593 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Johnston High?

The student-teacher ratio at West Johnston High is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Johnston High rank in NC?

West Johnston High ranks #1,557 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Johnston High's MySchoolScout rating?

West Johnston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 West Johnston High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Johnston High has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Johnston High a charter school?

No, West Johnston High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Johnston High a Title I school?

No, West Johnston High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Johnston High?

99.1% of students at West Johnston High 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
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,593
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Johnston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.4%
4-Year Graduation
94.0%

District

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

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