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Very Good

#498 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 19% in state

West Smithfield Elementary

Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools

2665 Galilee Road, Smithfield, NC 27577

Enrollment

446

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Smithfield

#2 of 10

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#443 of 1,474

In district

#23 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About West Smithfield Elementary

West Smithfield Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Smithfield, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, West Smithfield has an enrollment of 446 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10, placing it at the 43rd percentile among North Carolina schools.

Academically, West Smithfield Elementary has an average score of 2.9/10, with 29% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 32% meeting proficiency standards in math. While the academic performance data shows areas for improvement, it's important to remember that every student’s development is unique and supportive learning environments like West Smithfield are crucial. The school focuses on providing a strong educational foundation as students transition from early childhood education into more structured primary years.

West Smithfield Elementary is situated near the town of Smithfield in Johnston County, offering its students access to a close-knit community setting that values personal growth and support.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Smithfield Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,788

West Smithfield Elementary — Students at West Smithfield Elementary score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.8%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 29.2%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
11%
ELA
14%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
16%
2025
Math
41.6%
ELA
36.3%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How West Smithfield Elementary Compares

See how West Smithfield Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
81th percentile in NC
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

2665 Galilee Road, Smithfield, NC 27577

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Smithfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Powhatan Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Four Oaks Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Polenta Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Smithfield, see our Smithfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
South Smithfield Elementary Smithfield 2.7 mi 7.8
Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks 3.7 mi 7.8
Choice Plus Academy Smithfield 3.2 mi 4.8
Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks 3.8 mi 8.4
American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh 4.3 mi
The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield 3.7 mi 8.6
Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield 4.1 mi 7.1
Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield 4.2 mi 7.8
Smithfield Middle Smithfield 4.4 mi 5.7
JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield 4.4 mi 3.7
Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield 5.0 mi 5.8
Neuse Charter School Smithfield 5.2 mi 5.0
STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield 6.2 mi 4.7
Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills 6.3 mi 8.1
Swift Creek Middle Clayton 6.3 mi 7.0
Cleveland High Clayton 6.3 mi 4.2
Polenta Elementary Garner 7.5 mi 8.4
Powhatan Elementary Clayton 8.7 mi 8.6
Selma Elementary Selma 7.5 mi 8.0
South Johnston High Four Oaks 8.3 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27577 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,237

Median Home Value

$230,200

Median Rent

$802/mo

Population

26,946

College Educated

21.5%

Homeownership

67.2%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

21%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Smithfield Elementary has a median household income of $56,237. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,200, with a median rent of $802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC 7.9
Carrboro Elementary Carrboro, NC 7.9
Central Elementary Hillsborough, NC 7.9
Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC 7.9
Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC 7.9
Douglas Elementary Raleigh, NC 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Smithfield Elementary

What grades does West Smithfield Elementary serve?

West Smithfield Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend West Smithfield Elementary?

West Smithfield Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Smithfield Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at West Smithfield Elementary is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Smithfield Elementary rank in NC?

West Smithfield Elementary is ranked #498 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Smithfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

West Smithfield Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Smithfield Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Smithfield Elementary has 31.8% math proficiency and 29.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Smithfield Elementary a charter school?

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

Is West Smithfield Elementary a Title I school?

No, West Smithfield Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Smithfield Elementary?

99.3% of students at West Smithfield 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,069/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Smithfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Johnston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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