Clayton Graded School and Clayton Grammar School-Municipal Auditorium · Photo: LikeGrantTookRichmond · CC BY-SA 3.0Clayton’s public schools outscore 65% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Clayton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Clayton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 285 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Clayton’s, its schools beat 73%, higher than their 65% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 54% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,420 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Johnston Charter Academy and Kids R Kids (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Clayton’s grade
B+: better than 65% of North Carolina school districts, #75 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clayton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Clayton · depends on your address
Riverwood Middle
Grades 6–8 · 902 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Clayton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 609 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Clayton · depends on your address
Riverwood Middle
Grades 6–8 · 902 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Clayton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 609 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Clayton · depends on your address
Riverwood Middle
Grades 6–8 · 902 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Clayton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 609 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Clayton
Clayton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,929 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Clayton
Clayton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,929 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Clayton
Clayton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,929 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Clayton
Clayton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,929 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Clayton’s public schools are run by Johnston County Schools, which also serves Archer Lodge, Benson, Four Oaks and Kenly and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Clayton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Clayton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | B+ | Johnston County Schools |
| Archer Lodge | B+ | Johnston County Schools |
Every school in Clayton
9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Clayton’s schools
Are Clayton’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Clayton children attend outscore 65% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #75 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Clayton in?
Johnston County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 37,320 students in 48 schools (2024–25).
Where do Clayton kids go to high school?
Clayton High, with 1,929 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Clayton’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Johnston County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Clayton spend per student?
$12,420 in Johnston County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Clayton?
Yes: Kids R Kids (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 174 students). Clayton also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Clayton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clayton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.