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Clinton Depot, Elizabeth StreetPhoto: Nyttend · Public domain
C+
Schools in Clinton · Clinton City Schools

Clinton’s public schools score below 63% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Clinton, 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.

#238of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
45%
▼ 5 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
53%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
78%
▼ 8 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.7K
▼ 3% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.0
NC 16.0
Schools in town
8
3,015 students on the public path
In brief

Clinton’s schools, in brief

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 45% and math 53% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,682 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Sunset Avenue Elementary, then Sampson Middle, then Clinton High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Spirit of Life Christian Academy (private) and New Life Uplifted School (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Clinton’s grade

B− Test scoresD Graduation

C+: better than 37% of North Carolina school districts, #238 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 37%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (261)Better than 36%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,524 test results and a graduating class of 222 could put Clinton anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Clinton’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,476 in math, 1,572 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clinton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–KLangdon C Kerr ElementaryClinton City SchoolsNo scores
3–5Sunset Avenue ElementaryClinton City SchoolsB−
6–8Sampson MiddleClinton City SchoolsB−
9–12Clinton HighClinton City SchoolsB+

Clinton’s public schools are run by Clinton City Schools. 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.

Clinton City SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 3,015 students, up 1% since 2020–21 · 16.0 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$12,682NC $13,045 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading45%
State average 49.9% · 1572 students tested
Math53%
State average 50.8% · 1476 students tested

Clinton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Clinton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ClintonC+Clinton City Schools

Every school in Clinton

8 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).

District schools in Clintonby address
Langdon C Kerr Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–K
366 students14:1Rate it →
Butler Avenue Elementary
Elementary · Grades 1–2
469 students13:1Rate it →
Sunset Avenue Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5
B−
649 students17:1Rate it →
Sampson Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
703 students16:1Rate it →
Clinton High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
828 students19:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Clintonrun by other districts or the state
Sampson Early College High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
229 students25:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Spirit of Life Christian Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
136 students10:1Rate it →
New Life Uplifted School
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
38 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Clinton’s schools

Are Clinton’s schools good?

On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Clinton children attend score below 63% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #238 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clinton in?

Clinton City Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,015 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Clinton kids go to high school?

Clinton High, with 828 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Clinton’s graduation rate?

78% of the class of 2023 in Clinton City Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Clinton spend per student?

$12,682 in Clinton City Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Clinton?

Yes: Spirit of Life Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 136 students) and New Life Uplifted School (religious, grades PK–12, 38 students).

Parents talk

What Clinton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clinton → 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.