The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Math. The lowest is 62% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Pine Level Elementary
Pine Level Elementary serves the early grades in a small Johnston County town that is experiencing rapid residential growth. The school sits in a compact community about 35 miles southeast of Raleigh, described locally as a "one stop light town" surrounded by farmland and rolling country, though new subdivisions are actively changing the landscape. The town itself has sidewalked streets and a small downtown anchored by Town Hall and a historic commercial corridor along the railroad, but secondary schooling is decoupled from the community—middle and high school students travel to separate campuses in nearby towns.
The school enrolls a small cohort of about 335 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. A very substantial share of the enrollment qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic need in the school's student population. The student body is majority white, with a meaningful Hispanic population representing about one-third of enrollment, a smaller share of Black students, and a smaller multiracial share. Enrollment data on students with individualized education plans or English learners was not available in the records reviewed.
In state testing, Pine Level Elementary performed at mixed proficiency levels on the 2024-25 End-of-Grade assessments. In math for grades 3 through 5, the school's proficiency rate was solid, with a clear majority of tested students meeting proficiency standards. In science, proficiency was similarly strong. English language arts, however, showed a notably different picture: the proficiency rate fell to just over 60 percent, substantially lower than math or science, suggesting reading and writing development may be a focus area for the school. Science testing included fewer students than math or ELA, a pattern that may reflect the grade bands tested rather than participation issues. The state assessments administered in 2024-25 included assessment name and cut-score changes in science, so a parent evaluating multi-year trends would want to consult directly with the school about how those changes affect year-to-year comparison.
Pine Level Elementary is a standard public school with no charter, magnet, or specialized designation reported. The school is part of Johnston County Public Schools, a district managing significant growth across one of North Carolina's fastest-expanding counties. The district has secured voter-approved bond funding for new school construction, including a new elementary school and a high school opening in 2026, alongside facilities upgrades intended to reduce reliance on mobile classrooms as enrollment pressures mount. The district board recently transitioned from at-large elections to single-member residency districts, a structural change that affects how families' neighborhoods are represented in decisions about school assignment, capacity planning, and bond spending.
The locale offers limited day-to-day walkability beyond the school-adjacent neighborhood—grocery stores, a post office, and a Dollar General sit within walking distance for some residents, but commuting to Selma, Smithfield, or Raleigh is routine for most families. Civic life centers on Sam Godwin Park, which hosts recreational facilities and the town's July 4th celebration. The town has no municipal library; residents use county library branches in nearby towns. No public transit operates in Pine Level, though I-95 and Amtrak service in Selma are nearby.
Housing in Pine Level is on an upward trajectory. The town was ranked in 2020 as the state's best up-and-coming housing market, and active development continues with subdivisions including Emily Gardens, Pinecrest, and Longleaf Village in planning or construction. Transportation improvements—principally the planned conversion of U.S. 70 to Interstate 42 and I-540 loop expansion—are accelerating access to Raleigh and fueling continued migration to the area. A family moving to Pine Level would be joining a growing school that sits in the early stages of a major regional expansion cycle, with corresponding shifts in class size, facilities, and school culture as enrollment grows and new buildings come online.
See more original research from School Decision →