West Johnston High School or WJHS is located in Benson, North Carolina. It is part of Johnston County School district, and was established in the 2002-2003 school year to address crowding problems in other local high schools.
Serving 1,563 students in grades 9-12, West Johnston High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 53% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,563 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Minority Enrollment: 49%
- Graduation Rate: 95% (Top 20% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 53% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 55% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: West Johnston High serves the western part of its school district in Benson, NC, covering an area of approximately 74.3 square miles. Families in this zone typically have a drive of 10 to 12 minutes to the school, with distances ranging up to 9.3 miles from the furthest edge of the attendance area.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West Johnston High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
West Johnston High School's student population of 1,563 students has grown by 14% over five school years.
The teacher population of 66 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,563 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
66 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
2002
School Rankings
West Johnston High School ranks within the top 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West Johnston High School is 0.64, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#845 out of 2617 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)60-64%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
5%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
29%
22%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
Black
13%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
White
51%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
95%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)16.7%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
99%
72%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (22-23)
4%
3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Teal
School Mascot
Wildcat
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Johnston High School's ranking?
West Johnston High School is ranked #845 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are West Johnston High School often compared to?
West Johnston High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Cleveland High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 53% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of West Johnston High School?
The graduation rate of West Johnston High School is 95%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86.5%.
How many students attend West Johnston High School?
1,563 students attend West Johnston High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
51% of West Johnston High School students are White, 29% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of West Johnston High School?
West Johnston High School has a student ration of 24:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does West Johnston High School offer ?
West Johnston High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is West Johnston High School part of?
West Johnston High School is part of Johnston County School District.
School Reviews
Review West Johnston High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
