Cooper Academy

cooper.johnston.k12.nc.us

444 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Cooper Academy, located at 849 North Mial Street in Clayton, North Carolina, is a specialized educational institution operating within the Johnston County Public Schools district. The school is unique for its focus on a project-based learning model, which is designed to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills among its students. By emphasizing hands-on experiences and interdisciplinary study, the academy seeks to prepare its learners for the complexities of higher education and the modern workforce.

The school is widely recognized for its "thematic" approach to curriculum, often integrating various subjects into cohesive, long-term projects that encourage deep engagement. As part of the Johnston County system, Cooper Academy serves as an option for families seeking a non-traditional learning environment that prioritizes student agency and academic innovation. Its commitment to a rigorous yet creative instructional style reflects a broader mission to cultivate well-rounded, motivated individuals who are equipped to succeed in an evolving global landscape.

444

Total Students

40.0

Full-Time Teachers

11.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

99.5%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Cooper Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	116
Hispanic	155
Black	136
Asian	3
Two or More	34

Hispanic
155 (34.9 %)
Black
136 (30.6 %)
White
116 (26.1 %)
Two or More
34 (7.7 %)
Asian
3 (0.7 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Johnston County Public Schools
Phone:	(919)553-0256
Website:	http://cooper.johnston.k12.nc.us
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	444
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	40.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	11.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	442
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 17

Kindergarten 74

Grade 1 70

Grade 2 73

Grade 3 77

Grade 4 60

Grade 5 73