West Clayton Elementary School

JCPS is thrilled to announce an exciting community event you won’t want to miss! Our wonderful partners, the Johnston County Ed Foundation, will host a Harlem Wizards basketball fundraiser on February 9, 2026, at Smithfield-Selma High School. The event will begin at 6:30 PM and doors will open at 5:30 PM.

We invite all JCPS families, staff, and community members to join us for an unforgettable night of high-flying basketball where some of JCPS’s most captivating athletes will compete against the Harlem Wizards! Come cheer as some of your favorite principals, teachers, coaches, and support staff step onto the court for some friendly competition, school spirit, and lots of laughs. This high-energy evening promises fun, laughter, and unforgettable entertainment for students, families, and staff, all while supporting a great cause.\

🏀 Who are the Harlem Wizards?

The Harlem Wizards are a nationally renowned basketball entertainment team known for their incredible ball-handling skills, jaw-dropping trick shots, and interactive, family-friendly showmanship. Blending athletic talent with comedy and crowd engagement, the Harlem Wizards create an electrifying experience that delights audiences of all ages while promoting positive messages about teamwork, education, and community.

🏀 Who is the Johnston County Ed Foundation?

This event is spearheaded by the Johnston County Education Foundation, which plays a vital role in supporting JCPS by investing directly in our educators and classrooms. Through grant funding and other initiatives, the Foundation helps bring innovative instructional projects to life, supports creative teaching strategies, and enhances learning opportunities for students across the district. Events like this fundraiser make it possible for the Foundation to continue expanding its impact in JCPS schools.

So, if you are looking for great entertainment, for an even greater cause, mark your calendar now and get ready for a night of excitement, community engagement, and fun for everyone!

🎟️ To register, click here: https://bit.ly/4anzlrL

Due to the forecast of inclement weather and per the guidance of local emergency and safety officials, Johnston County Public Schools will be closed for all students tomorrow, Monday, December 8, 2025, as well as all extracurricular activities. The district will operate under Condition 3 of the inclement weather plan.

View the inclement weather plan online at www.johnston.k12.nc.us/inclementweather.

Please be safe and have a great evening!

Taraji Wright approaches every task with enthusiasm, focus, and a genuine desire to learn. No matter the challenge, she always puts her best foot forward. Taraji's respectful and kind nature makes her a trusted friend and a valued member of the school community.

She demonstrates strong character traits such as respect, responsibility, dependability, and compassion for others. Taraji can always be counted on to do the right thing, encourage her peers, and make choices that reflect her excellent character.

Congratulations, Taraji, for being recognized as the November Character Ed Student for West Clayton Elementary! 👏

During its October 28, 2025, Special Session meeting, the Johnston County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the plans for the highly anticipated Clayton High School rebuild, which is a project that marks a new era for education in Clayton and surrounding communities.

The new 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. While the design embraces modern educational needs, it also preserves elements of the school’s historic culture that have defined generations of Clayton Comets.

The new school will accommodate 2,000 students in grades 9–12 and feature a three-story academic wing alongside a two-story arts and athletics wing. Its open-concept design will promote flexible, collaborative learning spaces that foster creativity, innovation, and teamwork. The building itself is expected to be completed by December 2027, with the entire campus slated for full completion in Fall 2028.

“This is more than a building, it is a commitment to the future of our students and our community,” said Dr. David Pearce, Superintendent of Johnston County Public Schools. “The new Clayton High School will reflect the academic excellence, pride, and unity that have always defined the Comet spirit. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together around a shared vision for its children.”

Learn more about the Clayton High rebuild project here: https://bit.ly/47eA9xf

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It was great visiting South Johnston High, Meadow School, Innovation Academy, Selma Elementary, East Clayton Elementary, and West View Elementary today as we recognize them each as a school moving forward!

These schools received this acknowledgment for their outstanding performance in the 2024-2025 school year!

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JCPS continues to shine! 🌟

We are excited to announce that Johnston County Public Schools has continued its journey to becoming one of the best districts in the state, according to 2024-2025 data recently released by NCDPI.

A few of the district highlights included a significant increase in student proficiency scores and school performance grades, with 93% of our schools having a school letter grade of A, B, or C! 75% of our schools met or exceeded growth, which is well above the state average.

Amazingly, 15 of our schools rank in the top 20% statewide, with seven schools in the top 10% for growth! Graduation rates for JCPS schools continue to rise, with JCPS reaching 92.5%, which is significantly higher than the state average of 87.7%

A huge thank you to our incredible educators, hardworking students, and supportive families for helping drive this success forward! 📈

Find more data and details here: http://bit.ly/3JPzfhi

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Johnston County Public Schools and West Clayton Elementary were excited to welcome North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green earlier today.

Superintendent Green interacted with students and staff during carpool, breakfast, and while touring the school building. Afterwards, he engaged in meaningful conversation with district leaders, including board members, the Superintendent, senior leadership, and the school's leadership team. During the conversation, he elaborated on a few pillars of his strategic plan, including preparing each student for the next phase in life, revering public school educators, enhancing parent, caregiver, and community support, and ensuring healthy, safe, and secure learning environments, to name a few.

Special thanks to Superintendent Green and his team for visiting West Clayton Elementary and for their continued support of Johnston County Public Schools!

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New Carpool Procedures: Starting Monday, August 25th, we will have only one carpool lane.
1. All car riders will enter the driveway from NC 42/Veterans Parkway at the green entrance flag. Only buses, daycare vans, and staff will enter at the light. All vehicles will exit at the light.
2. There will be six loading lanes, and vehicles should fill in each lane beginning with lane #1. Vehicles should not start loading other lanes until lane #1 is full.
3. The first vehicle in each lane must stop at the stop line.
4. Staff will direct traffic. Please wait until your lane has been told to proceed.
5. Please be patient and give our staff grace as we implement this new system.

West Clayton Elementary School is excited to welcome all students and families to our Annual Open House on Thursday, August 21, 2025! Come meet your teachers, tour the school, and get ready for a fantastic new year of learning and growth. We can't wait to see you there!