Aside from the standard college preparatory academic courses, Johnson offers specialized training in health sciences and engineering, and the opportunity for vocational training and dual high school/college enrollment for health science students.

In 2007 and 2009, it received a silver medal and was listed as one of the top schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

[5] In 1984, feasibility studies were undertaken to introduce an engineering program at the school, which began in 1985.

The expansion project was completed in 2008, and seventh and eighth graders began attending the school in August 2009.

The school is named for Augustus Roberson Johnson (1853–1908), an African American teacher in Augusta during the late 19th century.

During the latter half of the 2008–2009 school year, a mural of the mascot was painted on the wall on the hall nearest the office at the front of the building.

Johnson participates in several district competitive sports, among them track, cross country, soccer, golf, tennis, and volleyball.