Polenta Elementary

www.johnston.k12.nc.us/o/polenta

1,010 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Polenta Elementary School, located at 105 Josephine Road in Garner, North Carolina, is a public elementary school serving students within the Johnston County Public Schools district. The school is committed to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment, focusing on academic growth, character development, and preparing students for future success. As part of the Johnston County community, Polenta Elementary emphasizes a collaborative partnership between educators, families, and the local area to ensure that each child has the resources and guidance needed to reach their full potential.

The school’s academic culture is centered on providing a well-rounded education that balances rigorous classroom instruction with opportunities for student development. Through its digital presence, the school maintains clear communication with parents and stakeholders, providing updates on school events, curriculum goals, and resources. Polenta Elementary strives to maintain a safe and inclusive environment where students are encouraged to be curious, respectful, and active participants in their educational journey.

1,010

Total Students

63.2

Full-Time Teachers

16.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

98.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Polenta Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	481
Hispanic	282
Black	178
Asian	3
Two or More	64
American Indian	2

White
481 (47.6%)
Hispanic
282 (27.9%)
Black
178 (17.6%)
Two or More
64 (6.3%)
Asian
3 (0.3%)
American Indian
2 (0.2%)

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)989-6039
Website:	http://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/o/polenta
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	1,010
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	63.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	990
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 28

Kindergarten 148

Grade 1 146

Grade 2 165

Grade 3 167

Grade 4 176

Grade 5 180