District Strategic Plan

The Johnston County Public Schools Board of Education adopted the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan in May 2024. The strategic planning process is driven by our community, with student, staff, caregiver, and community member input serving as the foundation for each element of the plan. A steering committee made up of students, caregivers, educators, district leaders, business and faith leaders, and public officials served as thought leaders throughout the process.

Over 12,000 students, staff, and community members responded to a questionnaire and 17 focus groups, with 116 participants provided their perspectives on the future of Johnston County Public Schools. Once a draft was in place, more than 70 community members engaged in a community town hall, delving into draft goals and strategies in order to providing feedback to reflect our schools’ needs.

The result is the culmination of the energy of the Johnston County community to help our schools thrive over the next five years as we continue unprecedented academic growth to become one of the top school districts in North Carolina. With the ongoing support of our county commissioners, families, and community partners, we can take the steps necessary to make Johnston County the best place to live, work, and play.

Every student will develop the knowledge and skills to achieve individual success and make a positive impact.

JCPS will empower all students to reach their fullest potential by preparing them academically and socially in a safe and welcoming environment.

EXCELLENCE - We strive to provide the highest quality education that meets the needs of all students.

SAFETY - We foster a safe environment that promotes the physical and mental well-being of all members of our school community.

INTEGRITY - We build trust within our community by operating with honesty and transparency.

EMPATHY - We create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all through kindness, compassion, respect, and seeking to understand.

ACCOUNTABILITY - We are accountable for our individual and collective commitment to achieve positive outcomes for all students.

INNOVATION - We embrace new and promising solutions to the challenges facing our students, staff, and community.

PRIORITY 1: Future Focused Academics

GOAL 1A: By 2029, JCPS will perform within the top 20% of school districts in North Carolina for key indicators, e.g., performance composite and ACT/Workkeys composite.

GOAl 1B: By 2029, all subgroups at each JCPS school will perform at an A, B, or C performance grade OR meet or exceed academic growth as measured by the state accountability model.

PRIORITY 2: Exemplary and Valued Personnel

GOAL 2A: By 2029, JCPS will reduce the number of certified and classified vacancies by 50%.

GOAL 2B: By 2029, JCPS will decrease its teacher attrition rate by 20%.

PRIORITY 3: Sustainable and Intentional Operations

GOAL 3A: By 2029, JCPS will maintain a capacity utilization rate of 95%, ensuring district facilities keep up with community growth.

GOAL 3B: By 2029, 80%* of JCPS students, families, and staff will report that their school has implemented measures to ensure students are safe at school, based on the annual family, student, and staff survey.

*This figure includes a weighted average of responses on survey questions related to safety from students, caregivers, and staff.

PRIORITY 4: Supportive Environment and Community

GOAL 4A: By 2029, JCPS will increase the student daily attendance rate to 95%.

GOAL 4B: By 2029, JCPS will increase the percentage of parents or caregivers who respond favorably to questions regarding their engagement and partnership with their child’s school on the annual survey.

*Baseline will be established in the 2024-25 school year with the addition of questions around engagement and partnership to the family and caregiver survey. This figure will consist of an average of responses favorably on selected questions.