Below Average
#2355 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
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,593
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benson
#5 of 5
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#433 of 579
In district
#44 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
About West Johnston High
West Johnston High serves 1,593 students in grades 9-12 in Benson, North Carolina, offering a comprehensive high school experience in Johnston County. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1, providing reasonable class sizes for personalized attention. Academically, West Johnston High earns a 6.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 57th percentile among North Carolina high schools at #1139 out of 2,661 schools statewide.
Students show solid performance in English Language Arts, with 64% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 40% of students demonstrating proficiency or above, indicating focused efforts on strengthening mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities. The school draws from a community where the median household income reaches $63,430 and median home values sit at $203,000.
About 20% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.1% of families navigate economic challenges. This diverse socioeconomic mix creates a learning environment where students from various backgrounds come together. West Johnston High sits on Raleigh Road in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities in the greater Johnston County area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Johnston High 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
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West Johnston High — Students at West Johnston High score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 3.7/10.
How West Johnston High Compares
See how West Johnston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 27.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 64.5% (2025).
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 5.7/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clayton High (rated 5.2/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cleveland High (rated 4.2/10, 3.0 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 | 7.3 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 2.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 3.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Cleveland Middle Garner | 3.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton | 3.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring | 3.3 mi | 8.8 |
| West View Elementary Garner | 5.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Swift Creek Middle Clayton | 5.1 mi | 7.0 |
| South Johnston High Four Oaks | 8.1 mi | 4.2 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton | 8.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Benson Elementary Benson | 8.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks | 7.7 mi | 8.4 |
| West Smithfield Elementary Smithfield | 7.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 8.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Benson Middle Benson | 9.2 mi | 7.2 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 9.1 mi | 8.5 |
| South Garner High Garner | 9.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Johnston Charter Academy Clayton | 9.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Clayton High Clayton | 9.7 mi | 5.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Johnston High has a median household income of $68,376. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,400, with a median rent of $995/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Forestview High Gastonia, NC | 4.4 |
| Hickory High Hickory, NC | 4.4 |
| Kings Mountain High Kings Mountain, NC | 4.4 |
| Mallard Creek High School Charlotte, NC | 4.4 |
| North Brunswick High Leland, NC | 4.4 |
| Piedmont High Monroe, NC | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #2355 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Johnston High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Johnston High has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Johnston High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Johnston High has 39.8% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 934-7333
- 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
- #44 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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