Private School Review - Established 2003
Southside Christian School
Kids R Kids

Johnston County Private Schools

For the 2026-27 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 are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The average acceptance rate is 95%, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 85%.
57% of private schools in Johnston County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian).

Quick Facts (26-27)

Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked Johnston County Private Schools (2026-27)

Map of Riverwood KinderCare
Riverwood KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
204 Cunningham Lane
Clayton, NC 27527
(919) 550-9200
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Southside Christian School Photo
Southside Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 472 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 7 | Extracurriculars: 2
Christian
120 Discipleship Drive
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 585-6742
(1)
View Profile
Map of Academy Of Hope
Academy Of Hope
Gr: 7-11 | 6 students
Avg. class size: 8 students
All-girls (Christian)
408 Covered Bridge Rd
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-8181
View Profile
Kids R Kids Photo
Kids R Kids
Gr: PK-K | 153 students
Sports: 2 | Extracurriculars: 2
Daycare / Preschool
307 Tew Ct
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-8864
View Profile
Map of KinderCare ELC at UNC Health Johnston
KinderCare ELC at UNC Health Johnston
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
514 N Bright Leaf Blvd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(833) 905-3276
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Map of Lifespring Academy
Lifespring Academy
Gr: K-12 | 146 students
Christian
4967 Us 70 Bus Hwy W
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 359-9959
View Profile
Map of Star Christian Academy
Star Christian Academy
Gr: K-12 | 67 students
Christian
4423 Wilsons Mills Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
(252) 395-2771
View Profile

Overview

Category
This State (NC)
US
# Schools
7 Schools
# Students
844 Students
137,062 Students
% Average Students of Color
35%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
76 Teachers
13,714 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
30%
48%
Average Class Size
12 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
5 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1229
(Out of 1600)
1207
Average ACT score
21
(Out of 36)
25

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,200
$11,997
Average Summer Program Cost
$179
$743
Average % on Financial Aid
80%
31%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$663
$5,559
Average Acceptance Rate
95%
85%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.57
0.58
# American Indian Students
1 Student
641 Students
% American Indian Students
<1%
1%
# Asian Students
8 Students
4,214 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
17 Students
5,799 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
4%
# Black Students
108 Students
9,646 Students
% Black Students
13%
7%
# White Students
207 Students
79,795 Students
% White Students
24%
59%
# Hawaiian Students
0 Students
496 Students
% Hawaiian Students
0%
<1%
# Others Students
509 Students
34,470 Students
% of Others Students
60%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
2 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
8 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 Riverwood KinderCare and Southside Christian School.
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?

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