Southside Christian School Photo - Go, SCS WARRIORS!

Best Johnston County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 private schools serving 844 students in Johnston County, NC (there are 41 public schools, serving 30,012 public students). 3% of all K-12 students in Johnston County, NC are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The top-ranked private schools in Johnston County, NC include Southside Christian School and Riverwood KinderCare.
The average acceptance rate is 95%, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
57% of private schools in Johnston County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian).

Top-Ranked Johnston County Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Riverwood KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
204 Cunningham Lane
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 550-9200
Gr: NS-PK
Southside Christian School
Southside Christian School Photo - Go, SCS WARRIORS!
(Christian)
120 Discipleship Drive
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 585-6742
Gr: PK-12 | 472 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Academy Of Hope
All-girls (Christian)
408 Covered Bridge Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-8181
Gr: 7-11 | 6 students Avg. class size: 350 students
Kids R Kids
Kids R Kids Photo
Daycare / Preschool
307 Tew Ct
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-8864
Gr: PK-K | 153 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
KinderCare ELC at UNC Health Johnston
Daycare / Preschool
514 N Bright Leaf Blvd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(833) 905-3276
Gr: NS-PK
Lifespring Academy
(Christian)
4967 Us 70 Bus Hwy W
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 359-9959
Gr: K-12 | 146 students
Star Christian Academy
(Christian)
4423 Wilsons Mills Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(252) 395-2771
Gr: K-12 | 67 students

Overview

This County (Johnston County)
This State (NC)
# Schools
7 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
844 Students
136,568 Students
% Average Students of Color
35%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
76 Teachers
13,589 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
30%
47%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
5 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1229
(Out of 1600)
1210
Average ACT score
21
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,200
$13,167
Average Summer Program Cost
$179
$758
Average Acceptance Rate
95%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.57
0.58
# American Indian Students
1 Student
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
8 Students
4,215 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
17 Students
5,803 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
4%
# Black Students
108 Students
9,646 Students
% Black Students
13%
7%
# White Students
207 Students
79,810 Students
% White Students
24%
59%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
496 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
509 Students
33,870 Students
% of Others Students
60%
25%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
2 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Johnston County, NC?
The top-ranked private schools in Johnston County, NC include Southside Christian School and Riverwood KinderCare.
How many private schools are located in Johnston County?
7 private schools are located in Johnston County.
How diverse are private schools in Johnston County?
Johnston County private schools are approximately 35% minority students, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of students in Johnston County go to private school?
3% of all K-12 students in Johnston County are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Johnston County?
57% of private schools in Johnston County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian).
Which private schools in Johnston County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Guides to Private Schools in 2026
Guides to Private Schools in 2026
Updated 2026 guide to private schools, covering admissions trends, tuition, financial aid, school types, and expert tips for families.
Why Private School in 2026: Advantages, Trends, and What Families Need to Know
Why Private School in 2026: Advantages, Trends, and What Families Need to Know
Explore why private school remains a compelling choice in 2026, with updated trends, outcomes, and real‑world benefits for families today.
Costs of Private School in 2026
Costs of Private School in 2026
Discover the hidden costs of private school in 2026, including fees, uniforms, and extras parents must budget for beyond tuition.