Private schools in Johnston County, NC
8 schools across Clayton, Pine Level, Smithfield, Willow Spring. About 956 students in all (2023-24). 6 on the state’s Opportunity Scholarship list.
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Hope ✓ | 6-12 | 8 |
| Life Spring Academy ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Southside Christian School ✓ | PreK-12 | 388 |
| Thales Academy at Flowers Plantation ✓ | PreK-8 | 452 |
| Playmates Child Care and Development Center ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Star Christian Academy ✓ | K-12 | 81 |
| Kids R Kids | PreK-K | 22 |
| Country Garden Montessori School | PreK-K | 5 |
Johnston County private schools at a glance
- Towns
- 4; the most in Clayton (5)
- Among North Carolina counties
- 22nd most private schools of 87; 1% of the state’s 730
- Typical school
- 388 students (3 reporting)
- Smallest and largest
- Star Christian Academy, 81 students; Thales Academy at Flowers Plantation, 452 students
- Students per teacher
- 8.8 typical, 2 to 18.8 across 6 schools
- Programs
- 1 Montessori
- Co-ed or single-sex
- 1 all-girls
- Association members
- 2, most often the American Association of Christian Schools
- State program
- Scholarship, $3,574 to $7,942 per student, by household income
How Opportunity Scholarship works - Public charter schools
- 3 in the county, tuition-free and not counted here
Charter schools in North Carolina
- Christian, not Catholic3
- Nonsectarian3
- Not in federal survey2
- Pre-K (and up)4
- Elementary (K to 5)5
- Middle (6 to 8)4
- High school (9 to 12)3
- K to 12, one school2
- Johnston County75%
- All of North Carolina81%
Where these facts come from
- Grades, size, affiliation, co-ed, membership, college-going: NCES Private School Universe Survey 2023-24, downloaded September 20, 2026.
- Program list: North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship schools, list read October 26, 2026, checked November 2, 2026.
- Award and rules: North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship, official page, read October 2, 2026.
- Public charter schools: NCES Common Core of Data, public school directory 2025-26 (preliminary), loaded October 8, 2026.
Neighboring counties
- Wake County (84)
- Harnett County (4)
- Franklin County (2)
- Wilson County (10)
- Wayne County (7)
- Durham County (37)
- Chatham County (4)
- Nash County (5)
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