For the 2026-27 school year, there are 2 public charter schools serving 1,663 students in Johnston County, NC.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Johnston County, NC are Johnston Charter Academy and Neuse Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Johnston County, NC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the North Carolina public charter school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 59% statewide average). Charter schools in Johnston County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public charter school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Charter Schools in Johnston County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnston Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
40 Scholar Drive
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 879-8190
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 879-8190
Gr: K-8 | 677 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #22.
Neuse Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
909 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Gr: K-12 | 925 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Johnston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1455 Buffalo Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Gr: K-12 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Gr: 12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
South Campus Community High School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
521 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
South Campus Community Middle School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
425 S Collier Street
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Gr: 6-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Johnston County, NC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Johnston County, NC include Johnston Charter Academy and Neuse Charter School.
How many public charter schools are located in Johnston County?
2 public charter schools are located in Johnston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Johnston County?
Johnston County public charter schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public charter schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in Johnston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public charter schools in Johnston County include: Johnston Charter Academy vs. Neuse Charter School
Recent Articles
When Your Child Gets a Teacher You Didn't Request
Learn what parents can do when a child is assigned to an unexpected teacher, including when to wait, communicate, document concerns, request support, and seek reassignment appropriately.
Before Accepting a Public School Seat: 15 Checks
Before accepting a public school seat, parents should verify enrollment terms, transportation, staffing, academics, safety, support services, schedules, attendance rules, extracurriculars, costs, and long-term placement details carefully.
Will This Public School Offer the Same Programs Next Year?
Learn how parents can determine whether public school programs will continue next year by checking budgets, enrollment, staffing, board documents, grants, course schedules, and district priorities before enrolling.