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Discovery Charter

Q: Is Discovery Charter a good school?

Discovery Charter ranks 409 th of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Discovery Charter?

In the 2024-25 school year, 453 students attended Discovery Charter.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Discovery Charter?

Students at Discovery Charter are 51% White, 25% African American, 13% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races.

Public, Charter Grades 6-12

409^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 662 North Carolina High Schools

Better than 38% of North Carolina high schools

Summary

Discovery Charter is a public charter school in Bahama, NC, just north of Durham, serving 453 students in grades 6 through 12 inside its own Discovery Charter School district. In 2025–26 the school earned a 2-star rating and landed in the 38th percentile of North Carolina schools, and its test data reveals two very different stories: a middle school that frequently beats state averages and a high school that trails them.

The middle grades are where Discovery shines. On 2025–26 state tests, sixth-grade math proficiency reached 62.2% versus 59.2% statewide, seventh-grade reading reached 62.1% versus 56.3%, and eighth-grade science posted a standout 78.5% versus the state’s 68.6%. Chronic absenteeism is also a genuine strength at just 22.1% — far better than nearby Durham schools like Northern High (53.4%), Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (52.1%), and Riverside High (45.5%). Discovery’s attendance actually falls much closer to selective magnets like Durham School of the Arts (18.5%) and City of Medicine Academy (16.7%) than to its open-enrollment neighbors.

At the high school level, though, End-of-Course test results lag the state in Biology (50.7% vs. 58.5%), English II (56.6% vs. 64.6%), and Math III (64.3% vs. 68.9%). Math I is a notable exception at 44.2% proficiency — far above the roughly 17–22% range at Durham’s traditional high schools, though still well behind early-college programs like Granville Early College High and City of Medicine Academy. Subgroup data adds more nuance: Discovery ranks in the top quartile of the state for serving special education students and near the middle for African American students, but in the bottom 27th percentile for low-income students. And because the school reports no graduation rate, it’s impossible to know whether high school students who struggle on those tests are still persisting to earn diplomas.

453

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

501 Orange Factory Road
Bahama, NC 27722

(984) 888-5504

District: Discovery Charter School

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.8%

African American:

25.2%

Hispanic:

12.8%

See top rated North Carolina high schools

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At a glance

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school59%

North Carolina avg58%

Middle school

290^th of 778

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 37%▲ up 4 pts since 2021

From top 41% (2021) to top 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

409^th of 662

North Carolina public high schools ?

Bottom 38%

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

113^th of 246Discovery Charter 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	60.7	290 of 778	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.5	279 of 773	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.9	323 of 793	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.3	311 of 784	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.4	309 of 786	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	55.6	303 of 741	59.1%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	71.6	111 of 553	79.9%	★★★★☆
2025	47.7	249 of 546	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.2	232 of 560	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.3	129 of 559	76.9%	★★★★☆
2022	62.2	140 of 550	74.5%	★★★★☆
2021	64.1	107 of 533	79.9%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	67.0	69 of 449	84.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	62.2	246 of 731	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.1	341 of 733	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.8	377 of 738	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.4	324 of 731	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.1	340 of 733	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.5	361 of 706	48.9%	★★☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.3	372 of 465	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	54.8	225 of 562	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.4	138 of 564	75.5%	★★★★☆
2023	70.2	118 of 553	78.7%	★★★★☆
2022	62.5	159 of 541	70.6%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	63.2	210 of 725	71.0%	★★★★☆
2025	48.6	353 of 729	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.3	306 of 743	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.3	230 of 735	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.6	236 of 689	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.4	291 of 633	54.0%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.4	309 of 736	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.0	227 of 733	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.2	280 of 751	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.0	287 of 747	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.4	260 of 748	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.8	224 of 711	68.5%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	49.5	154 of 328	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	37.2	196 of 306	35.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.8	117 of 500	76.6%	★★★★☆
2025	36.8	285 of 478	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.6	203 of 473	57.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	45.0	371 of 644	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	57.9	258 of 649	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.7	301 of 652	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.3	299 of 656	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.5	236 of 658	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	69.3	169 of 632	73.3%	★★★★☆

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)

Middle school

Disabled (2022)85th percentile+24 vs school

African American (2026)80th percentile+17 vs school

Special Education (2026)77th percentile+14 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)71st percentile+8 vs school

Female (2026)66th percentile+4 vs school

Hispanic (2025)60th percentile-4 vs school

Male (2026)58th percentile-5 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)53rd percentile-11 vs school

White (2026)42nd percentile-20 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)20th percentile-43 vs school

High school

Special Education (2026)63rd percentile+25 vs school

African American (2026)52nd percentile+14 vs school

Hispanic (2026)47th percentile+9 vs school

Male (2026)40th percentile~ school

White (2026)36th percentile~ school

Female (2026)33rd percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)27th percentile-12 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science79%+10 vs state

Math III64%-5 vs state

Reading59%+3 vs state

Mathematics57%~ state avg

English II57%-8 vs state

Biology51%-8 vs state

Math I44%~ state avg

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, June 20, 2021

This school came onto the scene with a vision and a principal willing to work around the clock to bring cohesion and success. This was an outstanding place for my homeschooled son, with some attention issues and negative precious public school experiences, to re-enter the school scene. The emphasis on both technology and the arts is great for him. His 6th grade schedule was heavy with specials time. There was lots of movement which helps keep him engaged. He had freedom to sit in different places, collaborate with students and chat with teachers. The teachers all use a method of re-taking tests and quizzes and resubmitting projects to ensure that the students all learn the material and have a chance at success. The school counselor is outstanding and made a fantastic connection with my son. When Covid hit, Discovery made a seamless transition after one day of teacher meetings, and was up and running virtually without a hitch. Uniforms are casual, sporty and comfortable for all bodies with tons of choices for the kids. This school has been a great place for my son the feel successful and realize that he is a very smart person. Close Quote

Schools Near Discovery Charter

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOC Biology (2026)	EOC English II (2026)	EOC Math I (2026)	EOC Math III (2026)	EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOC Biology End of Course	EOC English II End of Course	EOC Math I End of Course	EOC Math III End of Course	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Discovery Charter	Public, Charter	6-12	501 Orange Factory Road	Bahama	27722	Durham County	Discovery Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(984) 888-5504	453	29	15.4		230 (50.8%)	114 (25.2%)	58 (12.8%)	3 (0.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (10.2%)	39	409^th of 662 public high schools	38.2%					(n/a)	50.7	56.6	44.2	64.3	62.2	53.4	57.0	55.1	62.1	59.1	78.5
Northern High	Public	9-12	4622 N Roxboro Street	Durham	27704	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 560-3956	1,281	70	18.3	99.8%	197 (15.4%)	498 (38.9%)	517 (40.4%)	23 (1.8%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (3.4%)	13.1	592^nd of 662 public high schools	10.6%		23.5	502^nd of 641 public high schools	21.7%	90	23.6	39.5	17.5	52.3								$10,719	$535	$10,184
Riverside High	Public	9-12	3218 Rose of Sharon Road	Durham	27712	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 560-3965	1,900	94	20.3	99.8%	490 (25.8%)	534 (28.1%)	728 (38.3%)	50 (2.6%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	95 (5.0%)	28.6	485^th of 662 public high schools	26.7%		25.2	492^nd of 641 public high schools	23.2%	7	50.6	55.0	22.2	54.7								$10,389	$739	$9,651
The School for Creative Studies	Public, Magnet	6-12	5001 Red Mill Rd	Durham	27704	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(919) 560-3535	350	34	10.2	98.9%	46 (13.1%)	171 (48.9%)	112 (32.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.4%)	42.1	389^th of 662 public high schools	41.2%		30.2	444^th of 641 public high schools	30.7%	55	34.4	65.4		72.3	72.7	45.7	53.7	66.7	50.0	58.5	73.2	$12,022	$1,332	$10,689
City of Medicine Academy	Public	9-12	301 Crutchfield St	Durham	27704	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 560-2001	329	20	16.6	98.5%	24 (7.3%)	121 (36.8%)	157 (47.7%)	11 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.9%)	92.8	39^th of 662 public high schools	94.1%		94.9	25^th of 641 public high schools	96.1%	14	97.8	94.0	89.3	98.8								$12,056	$1,005	$11,051
Lakeview School	Public	6-12	3507 Dearborn Drive	Durham	27704	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 560-2520	52	19	2.8	94.2%	3 (5.8%)	32 (61.5%)	8 (15.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (17.3%)								(n/a)	338.9	6.3	538.2	539.6	535.3	9.1	< 5%	8.3	18.2	8.3	16.7	$45,258	$734	$44,524
Durham School of the Arts	Public, Magnet	6-12	401 North Duke Street	Durham	27701	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(919) 560-3926	1,764	100	17.6	99.2%	612 (34.7%)	437 (24.8%)	542 (30.7%)	50 (2.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	122 (6.9%)	77.1	154^th of 662 public high schools	76.7%		85.1	111^th of 641 public high schools	82.7%	43	78.6	84.4	64.6	81.3	72.8	71.6	79.2	73.7	73.4	82.4	86.4	$10,260	$523	$9,737
Granville Early College High	Public	9-12	1552 South Campus Dr	Creedmoor	27522	Granville County	Granville County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 528-5583	207	7	31.3	98.6%	87 (42.0%)	53 (25.6%)	53 (25.6%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.3%)	92.5	42^nd of 662 public high schools	93.7%		95.8	11^th of 641 public high schools	98.3%	31	87.0	98.1	96.3	564.4								$7,932	$277	$7,655
Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi	Public, Magnet	9-12	800 Clayton Road	Durham	27703	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(919) 560-3968	1,384	65	21.2	99.8%	32 (2.3%)	624 (45.1%)	668 (48.3%)	7 (0.5%)	4 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	46 (3.3%)	8.9	607^th of 662 public high schools	8.3%		10.4	596^th of 641 public high schools	7.0%	11	20.8	39.2	23.9	28.4								$11,432	$509	$10,923
Holton Career and Resource Center	Public	9-12	401 North Driver St	Durham	27703	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 560-2219	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Charter

How many students attend Discovery Charter?

In the 2024-25 school year, 453 students attended Discovery Charter.

What district is Discovery Charter in?

Discovery Charter School

Is Discovery Charter a good school?

Discovery Charter ranks 409^th of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Discovery Charter?

Students at Discovery Charter are 51% White, 25% African American, 13% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races.

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

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.