New Clayton High School Reaches Major Construction Milestone

CLAYTON — Construction of the new Clayton High School has reached a major milestone, with the structural framework of the 278,000-square-foot campus now complete.

Johnston County Public Schools held a topping out and beam signing ceremony Thursday, Oct. 1, bringing together students, alumni, school officials, elected leaders and community members.

The ceremony came 224 days after ground was broken on the project.

“In 460 days, students will walk into those doors,” Superintendent Dr. David Pearce said. “That is the direct result of community collaboration and a shared common goal.”

The new school is being built in phases so students can continue attending classes on the existing campus while construction is underway.

The first phase is scheduled for completion in late 2027.

A second phase, which will include demolition of the remaining existing school building, is scheduled to begin in January 2028 and be completed in August 2028.

New Campus To Serve About 2,000 Students

The new Clayton High School is being designed to serve approximately 2,000 students in grades 9 through 12.

Plans call for a three-story academic wing and a two-story arts and athletics wing.

The facility will include 99 teaching spaces, 19 Career and Technical Education classrooms and labs, 13 science labs, a main gymnasium, auxiliary gym, athletic fields and facilities, and a 762-seat auditorium.

The school will also include flexible learning spaces, updated technology and new safety and security features.

District officials said the additional space is intended to help accommodate continued growth in the Clayton area and provide expanded academic, career, athletic and arts opportunities.

Keeping Pieces Of Clayton High’s History

The rebuild has also drawn interest from Clayton High School alumni.

Johnston County Board of Education member Jeff Sullivan, a Clayton High graduate, said he was pleased that elements of the existing school will be incorporated into the new campus.

“As an alum who has spent years in the old building, I love knowing that parts of the old building will be incorporated into the new building,” Sullivan said. “That’s what progress does; it brings about change, but I am glad that legacy of the original Clayton High will be a part of this progress.”

State Rep. Donna White, also a Clayton High alumna, was among those attending Thursday’s ceremony.

The new Clayton High School will be the third new school building constructed by Johnston County Public Schools within a four-year period.

Construction will continue on the first phase through 2027, with the remaining portions of the existing campus to be removed after students move into the new building.