Three high schools in Johnston County were recognized by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction for achieving outstanding graduation rates in the 2019-2020 school year. Johnston County Early College Academy was recognized for earning a graduation rate of 100 percent, while Corinth Holders High and Cleveland High were recognized for earning graduation rates of 95+ percent. “A high graduation rate is an outstanding achievement that represents an impressive amount of hard work by students and educators, said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy. “The exceptional performance of these schools confirms the dedication they have to the success of our students.” Each school received a certificate of achievement from the N.C. Department of Instruction recognizing their leadership as well as the hard work, collaboration, and best practices of the teachers and staff.  The 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rates for all schools in the state were first released by NCDPI in September 2020.  

Johnston County Public Schools middle school students Ximena Castaneda Aguilar and Valery Davis Mendoza are two of the several promising North Carolina seventh graders who were named as recipients of the Victor E. Bell, Jr. Scholarship.  Each Bell Scholar is eligible to receive up to $20,000, as long as they meet annual renewal criteria. Starting in seventh grade, eligible students will receive $2,000 per year, through four years of college. The funds are contributed to an account in the NC 529 Plan, with the student named as the beneficiary. Every fall, middle school teachers, counselors, and college access groups from across the state are invited to nominate students whose names will be randomly selected for the scholarship.  Ximena, a student at Swift Creek Middle, is the daughter of Albaro Castaneda Guzman and Irma Aguilar Martinez. Her teachers say she is a hard working student who continues to excel even during this period of virtual learning. She self advocates and knows when to seek assistance from her teachers. She is also willing to assist others.  Ximena is known for having a warm personality and getting along well with her peers.  Her teachers say that her strong work ethic and positive attitude…

The Johnston County Board of Education voted on January 12 to return all Pre-K and EC-Self Contained students to Plan B, four days per week, beginning on Tuesday, January 19. These students will participate in face-to-face instruction on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Wednesday serving as a remote learning day. All other students in grades K-12 will remain on Plan C until Monday, February 1. At that time students in grades 6-12 will resume Plan B. K-5 students will return to school on Plan B. K-5 students were previously on Plan A prior to December 14 when all students moved to Plan C. Plan B for our district’s K-12 students follows a two cohort model. Each cohort attends face-to-face instruction two days per week. Students will follow an AA/BB day schedule, attending face-to-face instruction on either Monday and Tuesday, or Thursday and Friday. All of our classrooms will follow guidance from the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit. Students remain required to wear a mask during face-to-face instruction, and six feet of social distancing will be maintained to the extent possible. If a student opted for the Virtual Program for the spring semester they will remain virtual. Our middle…