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Best Smithfield Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 4,650 students in Smithfield, NC (there are , serving 67 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Smithfield, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Smithfield, NC are Johnston Co Early College Academy, Johnston County Schools Career Technical and The Innovation Academy At South Campus. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Smithfield, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Smithfield have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Smithfield, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnston Co Early College Academy
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2314
Gr: 9-13 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #22.
Johnston County Schools Career Technical
Vocational School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
245 College Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Gr: 9-13 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #33.
The Innovation Academy At South Campus
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
521 Martin Luther King Dr
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Gr: 6-8 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
Neuse Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
909 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 626-2300
Gr: K-12 | 912 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
Smithfield-selma High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
700 M. Durwood Stephenson Park
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-5191
Gr: 9-12 | 1,551 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #66.
Smithfield Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1455 Buffalo Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-4696
Gr: 6-8 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #77.
South Smithfield Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
201 W Sanders St
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-8979
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #88.
West Smithfield Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2665 Galilee Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 989-6418
Gr: PK-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #99.
Choice Plus Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
211 East Rose Street
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 230-0500
Gr: K-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Smithfield, North Carolina

Smithfield, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
1455 Buffalo Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 285-3700
Gr: K-12 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
245 College Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Gr: 12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
521 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-6481
Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
425 S Collier Street
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 schools in Smithfield, NC?
How many public schools are located in Smithfield?
9 public schools are located in Smithfield.
What percentage of students in Smithfield go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Smithfield are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Smithfield?
Smithfield public schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Smithfield are often viewed compared to one another?

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