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Kestrel Heights School

Q: Is Kestrel Heights School a good school?

Kestrel Heights School ranks 976 th of 1490 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

976^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,490 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 34% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Kestrel Heights School is a public charter elementary and middle school in Durham, North Carolina, serving 440 students in grades K-8. While the school is part of the Kestrel Heights School District, which is ranked 174 out of 242 districts in the state, Kestrel Heights School itself has struggled academically compared to the state and nearby schools.

Kestrel Heights School's proficiency rates in math and reading are significantly lower than the state averages across all grade levels. For example, in 8th grade math, only 35.7% of Kestrel Heights students were proficient, compared to the state average of 48.7%. The school also has wide achievement gaps between different student subgroups, with lower rankings for African American, Hispanic, and low-socioeconomic status students compared to their white and gifted/talented peers. Additionally, Kestrel Heights School's 4-year graduation rate has declined in recent years, dropping from 87.7% in 2024-2025 to 86.4% in 2021-2022, which is below the state average.

Comparing Kestrel Heights School to nearby schools, such as Pleasant Grove Elementary, Hortons Creek Elementary, and Pearsontown Elementary, reveals that these schools significantly outperform Kestrel Heights on academic measures. These nearby schools have higher proficiency rates, better subgroup performance, and higher statewide rankings. The challenges faced by Kestrel Heights School, such as its high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch and its higher student-teacher ratio, may be contributing factors to its underperformance compared to the surrounding schools.

421

Students ?

14.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

56.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4700 South Alston Ave.
Durham, NC 27713

(919) 484-1300

District: Kestrel Heights School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

58.0%

Hispanic:

20.4%

Two or more races:

7.8%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Kestrel Heights School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 23rd percentile in 2023 → 34th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 34th (2025) from a 23rd-percentile low (2023)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (47% vs 56% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Mathematics scores 13 pts below the North Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school47%

North Carolina avg56%

Elementary school

976^th of 1,490

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 34%▼ down 39 pts since 2015

From top 27% (2015) to bottom 34% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

515^th of 773

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Bottom 33%▼ down 34 pts since 2015

From top 33% (2015) to bottom 33% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

174^th of 242Kestrel Heights School among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	36.3	976 of 1490	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.2	831 of 1505	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.5	1163 of 1502	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.6	1167 of 1514	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	29.7	1027 of 1489	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	30.7	1086 of 1473	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	38.2	951 of 1434	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	57.9	612 of 1429	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	70.0	394 of 1425	72.4%	★★★★☆
2015	71.8	382 of 1440	73.5%	★★★★☆
2014	50.1	699 of 1390	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	59.2	533 of 1403	62.0%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	49.2	440 of 918	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.6	326 of 924	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.9	509 of 933	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.8	385 of 927	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.5	360 of 896	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	35.6	651 of 949	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.9	535 of 927	42.3%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	11.5	867 of 878	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	40.0	522 of 897	41.8%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	30.8	1068 of 1451	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	42.7	845 of 1455	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	23.1	1194 of 1459	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	35.6	969 of 1458	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.9	879 of 1440	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	31.7	1046 of 1424	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	38.2	958 of 1405	31.8%	★★☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	70.7	99 of 710	86.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	19.2	830 of 915	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	35.2	619 of 893	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	35.2	613 of 865	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	47.7	451 of 851	47.0%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	24.2	1228 of 1437	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	44.5	833 of 1450	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.3	1122 of 1437	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	40.2	846 of 1366	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	10.7	1314 of 1361	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	34.2	948 of 1332	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	44.5	815 of 1450	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.1	798 of 1464	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.0	1107 of 1461	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.2	1285 of 1464	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	24.9	1087 of 1444	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.4	1080 of 1430	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	38.9	937 of 1413	33.7%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	74.7	250 of 1183	78.9%	★★★★☆
2018	73.1	288 of 1178	75.6%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	34.2	515 of 773	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.8	429 of 793	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.9	558 of 784	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.6	534 of 786	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.9	457 of 741	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.0	431 of 737	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	58.2	303 of 691	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	61.6	260 of 694	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	57.3	298 of 692	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2015	64.5	232 of 705	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2014	43.4	345 of 627	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2013	63.1	212 of 673	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	63.6	272 of 662	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	71.4	181 of 648	72.1%	★★★★☆
2010	72.9	159 of 640	75.2%	★★★★☆
2009	67.9	206 of 630	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2008	60.6	265 of 620	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	30.3	484 of 606	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	58.7	280 of 598	53.2%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	54.4	204 of 546	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.9	133 of 560	76.3%	★★★★☆
2023	48.8	245 of 559	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.1	245 of 550	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.4	240 of 533	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.4	220 of 519	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	72.8	78 of 494	84.2%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2018	38.7	277 of 475	41.7%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	49.3	369 of 733	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.4	336 of 738	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	33.9	483 of 731	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	33.5	492 of 733	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.2	490 of 706	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	51.0	352 of 684	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.7	314 of 656	52.1%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	41.6	364 of 461	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	37.3	370 of 562	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	48.1	284 of 564	49.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	28.7	426 of 553	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	42.5	312 of 541	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.2	213 of 493	56.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	33.1	510 of 729	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	48.1	364 of 743	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	26.4	579 of 735	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	38.6	429 of 689	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.1	439 of 639	31.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	21.0	597 of 733	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.7	488 of 751	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	26.6	572 of 747	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.5	512 of 748	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.6	389 of 711	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.6	458 of 697	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	60.1	269 of 665	59.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	47.5	335 of 624	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	72.9	140 of 596	76.5%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2017	28.9	316 of 476	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	33.9	284 of 507	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2015	45.6	213 of 531	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	16.0	377 of 451	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	30.0	311 of 505	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	48.1	248 of 502	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	35.1	386 of 506	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	28.0	414 of 499	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	24.2	404 of 490	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	20.5	403 of 477	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	5.8	427 of 453	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	25.4	362 of 431	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Gifted and Talented (2025)86th percentile+52 vs school

White (2019)79th percentile+53 vs school

African American (2025)52nd percentile+18 vs school

Male (2025)44th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2025)26th percentile-8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)15th percentile-20 vs school

Hispanic (2023)9th percentile-13 vs school

Disabled (2019)1st percentile-25 vs school

Middle school

African American (2025)63rd percentile+29 vs school

Female (2025)50th percentile+16 vs school

White (2019)46th percentile+5 vs school

Disabled (2018)42nd percentile-14 vs school

Hispanic (2025)34th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)30th percentile-3 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2024)21st percentile-25 vs school

Male (2025)19th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2024-2025) ?

Science52%-9 vs state

Reading49%-4 vs state

Mathematics44%-13 vs state

4.3

4 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, February 6, 2020

My children have attended this school for the past 8 years, and they have gotten an excellent education. The class sizes are small, the teachers are dedicated, and the school has many different specials classes. I would wholeheartedly recommend Kestrel Heights School.

The data is misleading because it does not note that the school went from a K-12 school to a K-8 school after the 2016-17 school year. Instead, it appears as though the decline is a result of quality instead of a change in structure. Close Quote

by a citizen
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

This school uses the Paideia principles. I have spoken with many parents and the methods are not working for certain students; that or the school doesn't know how to apply them. Students have left after being recruited for sports because their grades have suspiciously fallen practically overnight. This school needs to be investigated. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Great Students to Teachers ratio; parents are very involved; they have created small, caring teaching community which has given great learning experience to the kids; teachers become the students' friend and have great relationship, in addition they teach the older kids to take care of the younger ones and no Bulling allowed. Close Quote

Schools Near Kestrel Heights School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				EOG Mathematics (2025)						EOG Reading (2025)						EOG Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Kestrel Heights School	Public, Charter	K-8	4700 South Alston Ave.	Durham	27713	Durham County	Kestrel Heights School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 484-1300	421	29	14.4	56.3%	29 (6.9%)	244 (58.0%)	86 (20.4%)	29 (6.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (7.8%)	36.3	976^th of 1490 public elementary schools	34.5%		45.2	831^st of 1505 public elementary schools	44.8%	145	66.7	52.1	43.5	42.6	32.7	35.7	36.7	54.2	56.5	43.5	55.8	44.6	45.7	57.1
Parkwood Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5207 Revere Road	Durham	27713	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 560-3962	491	35	13.8	99.4%	57 (11.6%)	271 (55.2%)	98 (20.0%)	9 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (11.4%)	12.5	1383^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	7.2%		14.9	1363^rd of 1505 public elementary schools	9.4%	20	25.0	28.8	39.8				22.4	35.0	39.8				42.4		$11,377	$1,372	$10,005
The Institute Development Young Leaders	Public, Charter	K-8	4300 S. Miami Blvd.	Durham	27703	Durham County	The Institute for the Development of You	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 308-9731	419	26	16.2		5 (1.2%)	214 (51.1%)	181 (43.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.8%)	39.3	930^th of 1490 public elementary schools	37.6%		30.9	1082^nd of 1505 public elementary schools	28.1%	152	33.3	40.5	65.6	70.5	44.0	55.6	15.6	35.7	45.9	65.9	32.0	41.7	55.7	61.1
Lyons Farm Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	906 Scott King Rd	Durham	27713	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(919) 560-3749	608	38	16.0	99.5%	292 (48.0%)	155 (25.5%)	66 (10.9%)	35 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	60 (9.9%)	78.4	273^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	81.7%		79.1	257^th of 1505 public elementary schools	82.9%	16	69.1	71.8	75.3				62.8	67.9	70.1				71.4
Pearsontown Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4915 Barbee Road	Durham	27713	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(919) 560-3964	765	56	13.5	99.6%	276 (36.1%)	272 (35.6%)	112 (14.6%)	19 (2.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	85 (11.1%)	80.8	237^th of 1490 public elementary schools	84.1%		88.1	139^th of 1505 public elementary schools	90.8%	98	71.5	72.9	67.8				56.9	77.1	74.4				80.2		$11,050	$680	$10,370
Alston Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11555 Green Level Church Rd.	Cary	27519	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 544-2474	917	66	13.9	17.8%	171 (18.6%)	120 (13.1%)	81 (8.8%)	501 (54.6%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	39 (4.3%)	84	190^th of 1490 public elementary schools	87.2%		91.8	88^th of 1505 public elementary schools	94.2%	102	82.7	75.3	72.7				60.3	75.9	73.2				72.7		$8,773	$530	$8,243
Southwest Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2320 Cook Road	Durham	27713	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 560-3972	639	45	14.2	99.5%	203 (31.8%)	204 (31.9%)	166 (26.0%)	12 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (8.3%)	64.4	491^st of 1490 public elementary schools	67.0%		62	544^th of 1505 public elementary schools	63.9%	53	72.9	62.8	55.7				51.9	71.7	54.2				64.2		$11,711	$1,168	$10,542
Research Triangle Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	2418 Ellis Road	Durham	27703	Durham County	Research Triangle Charter	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 957-7108	710	33	21.8	99.6%	23 (3.2%)	459 (64.6%)	170 (23.9%)	6 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (7.2%)	18.1	1314^th of 1490 public elementary schools	11.8%		24.6	1199^th of 1505 public elementary schools	20.3%	115	37.5	40.5	26.8	38.7	35.2	43.8	35.8	52.7	28.0	41.3	39.4	49.3	37.8	43.8
Murray-Massenburg Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3901 S Roxboro St	Durham	27713	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(919) 560-3749	517	30	17.1	99.4%	129 (25.0%)	213 (41.2%)	111 (21.5%)	12 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (9.9%)								(n/a)	50.0	52.9	32.6				34.4	52.9	32.6				44.2
Pleasant Grove Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3605 Pleasant Grove Church Rd	Morrisville	27560	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 694-8770	376	29	12.7	29.8%	64 (17.0%)	71 (18.9%)	24 (6.4%)	193 (51.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (6.1%)	62.4	525^th of 1490 public elementary schools	64.8%		48.7	768^th of 1505 public elementary schools	49.0%	243	68.6	69.8	54.7				53.5	76.7	54.7				54.7		$9,061	$439	$8,622

Frequently Asked Questions about Kestrel Heights School

How many students attend Kestrel Heights School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 421 students attended Kestrel Heights School.

What is the racial makeup of Kestrel Heights School?

Students at Kestrel Heights School are 58% African American, 20% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 7% White, 7% Asian.

Is Kestrel Heights School a good school?

Kestrel Heights School ranks 976^th of 1490 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Kestrel Heights School in?

Kestrel Heights School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.