Construction on the new Clayton High School has officially begun as the first foundations have been poured. The Johnston County Board of Education hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the school’s rebuild. The seats were filled with excited current students, school administration, alumni, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Cabinet, members of the Johnston County Board of Education, Johnston County Board of Commissioners members, and local representatives.
“The rebuild of Clayton High School is a monumental investment in our students and our community,” said Dr. David Pearce, Superintendent of JCPS. “This new facility will provide a modern, innovative learning environment designed to bolster academic excellence and support the growth and success of every student who walks through its doors. It represents a significant step forward in our continued pursuit of excellence across Johnston County Public Schools.”
The 278,000-square-foot facility will serve as a cornerstone for 21st-century learning, designed with a focus on safety and security, state-of-the-art learning environments, athletic and fine arts spaces, and innovative technology and learning labs. With accommodations for 2,000 students in grades 9–12, the new Clayton High will feature a three-story academic wing alongside a two-story arts and athletics wing.
The building’s design has educational achievement in mind and will provide environments for academic success. The open-concept design will promote flexible, collaborative learning spaces that foster creativity, innovation, and teamwork.
Clayton High Principal and alumna Melissa Hubbard spoke about the rich past of the current building and what it represents for the community. ”It is a legacy, it is history, it is generation after generation who want their children to walk these same halls. Clayton High is the heart of our town. A place where generations have gathered, grown, celebrated, and persevered together,” noted Hubbard. “Clayton and Clayton High are deeply connected, bonded by a shared history of pride and purpose. As we say goodbye to a structure rich with stories, we do so with gratitude and respect.”
Clayton High Senior Class President and 2025-2026 JCPS Superintendent Student Leader Cohort member, Gates Hale, spoke to the expansive crowd about the significance of the new building for future students. “This moment is so meaningful because it reminds us that a school isn’t just bricks and walls, it’s the people inside. It’s the spirit, the pride, and the community, and that doesn’t disappear when the building does,” Hale said.
Students will engage in learning in a variety of locations, including 99 total teaching spaces, 19 Career and Technical Education classes/labs, 13 science labs, a main and auxiliary gym, athletic fields and facilities, an extraordinary auditorium with a seating capacity of 762, and more.
While the design embraces modern educational needs, it also preserves elements of the school’s historic culture that have defined generations of Clayton Comets. Clayton High was established in 1901, with the first graduating class holding commencement in 1904 for its three graduates. In December of 1955, the first of the buildings now occupied by Clayton High was completed.
Johnston County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Butch Lawter spoke about the importance of people and community. “We invest in buildings, but the most important thing we invest in is our people. We’re investing in our future workforce,” Lawter commented. “As we move forward, I think of all the memories that will be created here for generations and generations, and for that I am proud to be a tiny part of the process,” he remarked.
The Johnston County Board of Education is grateful for the continued support of the community and the visionary leadership and partnership of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners and local governing bodies.
The rebuilding of Clayton High will provide Clayton families and the entire community with a facility that they can be proud of for many years to come. The building itself is expected to be completed by December 2027, with the entire campus slated for full completion in Fall 2028.