Durham Public Schools

The Durham Public Schools district in North Carolina consists of 54 schools, including 31 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, 13 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The district as a whole is ranked 163 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Within the district, a few schools stand out as high-performing, including Durham School of the Arts, a public magnet high school ranked 111 out of 641 high schools in the state with a 4-star rating; Easley Elementary, a public magnet elementary school ranked 194 out of 1,490 and also with a 4-star rating; and Lyons Farm Elementary, a public elementary school ranked 273 out of 1,490 and with a 4-star rating. Additionally, City of Medicine Academy, a public high school, is ranked 25 out of 641 high schools in the state and has a 5-star rating.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in performance across the district. While some schools have exceptional test scores and proficiency rates, others struggle, with as low as 10-30% of students meeting standards. This gap appears to be correlated with poverty, as schools with high rates of free and reduced-price lunch recipients tend to have the lowest academic outcomes. The district's alternative and specialized schools also face challenges, with the lowest performance metrics overall. Addressing these equity issues and ensuring all students have access to a quality education will be crucial for improving outcomes across Durham Public Schools.