The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 27% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Smithfield Middle
Smithfield Middle is a regular public middle school serving grades six through eight in Smithfield, the county seat of Johnston County. The school sits in a small town experiencing rapid residential growth along I-95, about a half hour from Raleigh, with a historic downtown and expanding residential subdivisions drawing families relocating to the area.
The student body is economically disadvantaged and diverse. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting substantial economic need across the enrollment. The student composition is majority Hispanic, with a significant Black population and smaller shares of white students and students of two or more races.
Academic performance is below the midline. In the most recent state testing cycle, about one in four students scored proficient or above in math, roughly two in five in English language arts, and about one in three in science. Testing participation rates and scale scores were not available, so the school's data shows counts and percentages proficient but not trend information or comparative strength in specific grades. The science assessment changed this year, affecting comparability of results going forward. A parent may want to ask the school directly about teaching strategies and support systems in place, particularly in mathematics, and whether there are after-school or supplemental programs available.
The school's enrollment is stable at around 530 students, distributed fairly evenly across the three grades. No data on English learner enrollment, special education services, discipline practices, or attendance were available in the data provided. The school likely serves a significant share of students learning English as an additional language given the Hispanic enrollment majority, but the enrollment count and services are not published here.
Johnston County Public Schools is investing heavily in capacity and facilities through two recent bond referendums. A new high school (Wilson's Mills High) is slated to open in fall 2026, and a second bond approved in 2024 funds additional construction and renovation across the district to reduce reliance on mobile classrooms. This sustained expansion shapes the growth environment: families moving to Smithfield are doing so partly because of school infrastructure improvements and planned additions, though capacity pressures have been real and mobile classrooms have been in use. Beginning in 2024, the school board shifted from at-large to single-member district elections, changing how neighborhood representation works on the board overseeing growth and facilities planning.
Housing in the zip code around Smithfield is moderately priced for the state and region, with home values roughly at the state median and rental costs moderately high relative to income. The town itself is small and car-dependent outside its walkable historic downtown. Major employers include healthcare (Johnston Memorial Hospital), the community college, county government and schools, and nearby industrial operations in Clayton and Selma, alongside retail at Carolina Premium Outlets. The immediate growth context makes this a community in transition, with substantial residential development underway and schools expanding to keep pace.
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