Neuse Charter School of Johnston County

About Us

Neuse Charter School (NCS) is a public charter school in Smithfield, NC. It is the first charter school established in Johnston County and is in its 17th year of operation. NCS is independently owned and operated, serves over 900 students in grades K-12, and employs an average of 80 staff members annually. In 2023, the US News and World Report recognized NCS as one of the Best Elementary, Middle, High, and Best Charter Schools in the nation. In 2024, the NC State Board of Education granted NCS a 10-year charter renewal, the longest renewal option available to charter schools that are found to be in optimal operational, financial, and academic standing. NCS students consistently outperform both local and state districts, meeting and/or exceeding academic growth and performance on standardized state tests. NCS also offers athletics and clubs, including Robotics and Johnston County's first chapter of Girls on the Run, and participates in local community events such as Special Olympics. NCS is proud to offer a different educational option for families in Johnston County and surrounding counties.