Marsh-Johnson House · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0Johnston’s public schools score below 65% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
In Johnston, 29% of tested students are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Johnston, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Carolina, not nationally.
From South 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.
Johnston’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 108 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Johnston’s, its schools beat 49%, higher than their 35% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina (the state reports Johnston’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,010 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
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 Johnston’s grade
C+: better than 35% of South Carolina school districts. Both inputs trail the South Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Johnston, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Johnston
Johnston Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 276 students · 11:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Johnston
Johnston Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 276 students · 11:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Johnston
Johnston Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 276 students · 11:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Johnston
Johnston Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 276 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Johnston
Johnston Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 276 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Johnston
Johnston Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 276 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Johnston · depends on your address
Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 394 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Merriwether Middle
Grades 6–8 · 365 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in North Augusta
7th grade in Johnston · depends on your address
Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 394 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Merriwether Middle
Grades 6–8 · 365 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in North Augusta
8th grade in Johnston · depends on your address
Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 394 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Merriwether Middle
Grades 6–8 · 365 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in North Augusta
9th grade in Johnston
Strom Thurmond High
Grades 9–12 · 720 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Johnston
Strom Thurmond High
Grades 9–12 · 720 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Johnston
Strom Thurmond High
Grades 9–12 · 720 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Johnston
Strom Thurmond High
Grades 9–12 · 720 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Johnston’s public schools are run by Edgefield County School District, which also serves Edgefield and Trenton. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Johnston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Johnston’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Johnston | C+ | Edgefield County |
Every school in Johnston
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Johnston’s schools
Are Johnston’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Johnston children attend score below 65% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 49%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Johnston in?
Edgefield County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,069 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Johnston kids go to high school?
Strom Thurmond High, with 720 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Johnston’s graduation rate?
80–84% of the class of 2023 in Edgefield County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Johnston spend per student?
$17,010 in Edgefield County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Johnston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Johnston → 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 South Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.