On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) celebrated a historic milestone in the rebuild of Clayton High School (CHS) as students, alumni, community members, and leaders gathered for a Topping Out and Beam Signing Ceremony marking the completion of the school’s structural framework.
More than a construction milestone, the occasion marked an important moment in the history of Clayton High School and the community it has served for generations. It also represented a shared commitment to creating a school that honors the past while providing future generations of Clayton Comets with the opportunities, resources, and learning environment they need to thrive.
Co-hosted by Barnhill Contracting Company, the event brought together CHS alumni, community members, Town of Clayton representatives, Johnston County Board of Education members, JCPS leadership, Johnston County commissioners, and other government officials to celebrate the project and what the new school represents for Clayton, JCPS, and Johnston County.
The new 278,000-square-foot facility honors that legacy while creating a modern environment where future generations of students can learn, grow, and build traditions of their own. The progress of the project has caught the eye of everyone who has followed it.
“It was just 224 days ago that we were here breaking ground. In 460 days, students will walk into those doors,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pearce. “That is the direct result of community collaboration and a shared common goal.” That common goal is excellence in education.
Designed with student achievement and opportunity at its center, the new facility will provide a wide range of spaces for academics, career preparation, athletics, and the arts. The school will include 99 teaching spaces, 19 CTE classrooms and labs, 13 science labs, a main and auxiliary gym, athletic fields and facilities, and a 762-seat auditorium.
Serving approximately 2,000 students in grades 9–12, the three-story academic wing and two-story arts and athletics wing will feature an open-concept design with flexible spaces that encourage collaboration, creativity, innovation, and teamwork. Enhanced safety and security measures, innovative technology, and modern learning environments will further support students as they prepare for college, careers, and life beyond high school.
The two-phased project is designed to allow students to continue their education on campus while construction takes place. The first phase is scheduled for completion by late 2027. The second phase, which includes demolishing the remaining existing building, is scheduled to begin in January 2028 and be completed in August 2028.
The rebuild also comes at an important time for the Clayton community and Johnston County. As JCPS continues to pursue educational excellence, the new facility will help meet the increasing need for educational space while providing students with an environment designed to support their academic, career, athletic, and artistic pursuits.
The project represents another significant milestone for Johnston County and reflects the continued collaboration among district leaders, governing boards, community members, and other stakeholders. It will also be the third new school building constructed in four years, underscoring the community’s continued commitment to investing in its students and their futures.
The rebuild has generated unique interest and excitement, particularly among Clayton High alumni in attendance, including Representative Donna White, Johnston County Board of Education member Jeff Sullivan, and many others.
“As an alum who has spent years in the old building, I love knowing that parts of the old building will be incorporated into the new building,” stated Board of Education member Jeff Sullivan. “That’s what progress does; it brings about change, but I am glad that legacy of the original Clayton High will be a part of this progress.”
As construction continues and the final pieces of the new campus take shape, the Clayton High School rebuild is becoming more than a new school building. It is a lasting investment in the community, a continuation of the Clayton Comets’ legacy, and a promise to future generations of students that they will have a place designed to help them reach their full potential.
“This is an example of forward progress,” Dr. Pearce said. “The support that we see on this project shows how much Clayton means to you, Johnston County Public Schools, and Johnston County. Please continue to show your support and share with others the great things we’re doing in Johnston County, and continue to help Johnston County Public Schools move forward.”