Currently, Johnston County has 48 schools, which serve over 36,879 students, and experiences a 4% increase in enrollment yearly.

[3] In 2021, the county school board banned the teaching of critical race theory.

[5] Johnston County also has two special high schools on the campus of Johnston Community College and one on the campus of Clayton High School.

There is also an alternative school, Choice Plus Academy, located in Smithfield.

The county boasts a total of 17 Winter Guard International medals, 7 of them gold.