Submitted by Johnston County Public Schools
Johnston County Public Schools is proud to announce that Benson Elementary has been recognized as a 2025 North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) Lighthouse School Award recipient.
The prestigious Lighthouse School Award is presented to one or more schools leading the way in NC for excellence in student achievement and innovative programs. NCASCD receives nominations from across the state yearly and recognizes only the most impressive schools.
Benson Elementary principal Dr. Takicey Dunston received the award at the annual NCASCD Conference in Pinehurst. “This award illuminates the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, parents, and community,” said Dunston.
Recently, Benson Elementary was recognized as one of many JCPS schools to achieve noteworthy growth and success, going from having a D school performance grade in 2019 to a B after the 2023-2024 school year.
Benson Elementary saw remarkable increases in reading (26 percentage points), math (30.5 percentage points), and performance composite (28.2 percentage points). Dr. Dunston attributes the success to amazing students and family support, educators who love their profession and the people they serve, and collaborative leadership efforts throughout the entire school system.
“Our teachers devote selfless hours to ensure that our students receive a rigorous and relevant learning experience through diverse teaching strategies,” Dunston said.
