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Best Schools in Clayton, NC
Clayton, NC has 34 public schools (6 high, 9 middle, 16 elementary) serving 30,784 students. On average they score 55% on state proficiency tests against a projected 43%, so schools in Clayton exceed expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Clayton, NC
The top high schools in Clayton, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Corinth Holders High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2219 Students
2. Cleveland High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1879 Students
3. South Garner High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wake County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1824 Students
4. Clayton High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2024 Students
5. East Wake High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wake County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1646 Students
6. Smithfield-selma High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1503 Students
Best Middle Schools in Clayton, NC
The top middle schools in Clayton, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Archer Lodge Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1219 Students
2. Cleveland Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 936 Students
3. Riverwood Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 948 Students
4. Swift Creek Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 750 Students
5. Clayton Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 573 Students
6. East Garner Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wake County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1186 Students
7. Wendell Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wake County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 719 Students
8. Selma Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 359 Students
9. Smithfield Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 501 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Clayton, NC
The top elementary schools in Clayton, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Riverwood Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 810 Students
2. Cleveland Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 822 Students
3. Powhatan Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 616 Students
4. River Dell Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 922 Students
5. Thanksgiving Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 769 Students
6. Johnston Charter Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston Charter Academy • Charter • Grades KG - 8 • 679 Students
7. Polenta Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 1014 Students
8. West Clayton Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 761 Students
9. Lake Myra Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wake County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 648 Students
10. Wilson's Mills Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Johnston County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 503 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Clayton, NC
City-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Clayton, NC has a total population of 69,883 with 29% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 95%, and 36% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Clayton, NC
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Clayton, NC.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
11.35 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
2.25 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
9.10 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Clayton, NC.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Clayton, NC.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Clayton, NC Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Clayton, NC
How many schools are in Clayton, NC?
Clayton, NC has 34 public schools: 6 high schools, 9 middle schools and 16 elementary schools, serving 30,784 students in total.
How do schools in Clayton perform on state tests?
On average, 34 schools in Clayton score 55% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 43%, so on average schools in Clayton exceed expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Clayton?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Clayton, NC
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 57%
- Projected: 52%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 63%
- Projected: 48%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 46%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 58%
- Projected: 49%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 56%
- Projected: 46%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 43%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 52%
- Projected: 41%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 48%
- Projected: 39%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 52%
- Projected: 41%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Every school in Clayton
14 of 14 schools in Clayton carry a SchoolGrade. Grade distribution:
A: 4B: 5C: 5
All 14 public schools we grade in Clayton. The ranked lists above show the top ten per level; every school has its own page.
High schools (2)
Middle and junior high schools (3)
Elementary and primary schools (6)
- Cleveland Elementary
- East Clayton Elementary
- Powhatan Elementary
- River Dell Elementary
- Riverwood Elementary
- West Clayton Elementary
Other schools and academies (3)
Private schools (3)
Private schools have a SchoolGrade only where their state publishes their test results.