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Discovery Charter

Q: Is Discovery Charter a good school?

Discovery Charter ranks 279 th of 773 North Carolina alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades 6-11

279^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 773 North Carolina Alternative Schools

Better than 64% of North Carolina alternative schools

Summary

Discovery Charter is a public charter middle school located in Bahama, North Carolina, serving grades 6-10 with a total enrollment of 412 students. The school is part of the Discovery Charter School District, which is ranked 61 out of 242 districts in North Carolina and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Discovery Charter performs on par with or slightly above the state averages in most subject areas and grade levels, with higher proficiency rates in Mathematics and Reading for grades 6-8 compared to the state. However, the school's proficiency rates in End-of-Course (EOC) exams, such as Biology, English II, and Math I, are lower than the state averages. Compared to nearby schools, Discovery Charter generally outperforms lower-ranked schools in the Durham Public Schools district, but lags behind the higher-performing magnet schools like Lakewood Montessori Middle and Rogers-Herr Middle.

The school's performance for different student subgroups is mixed, with stronger rankings for African American and Hispanic students, but relatively lower rankings for female students, multi-racial students, and students with disabilities. The school's performance for low socioeconomic status students is also in the bottom half of the state, which is a concern. Over the past five school years, Discovery Charter has consistently ranked in the middle third of North Carolina middle schools, with a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating room for improvement in the school's overall performance.

453

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

501 Orange Factory Road
Bahama, NC 27503

(984) 888-5504

District: Discovery Charter School

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.8%

African American:

25.2%

Hispanic:

12.8%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Discovery Charter to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 59th percentile in 2021 → 64th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2021

✓Above the North Carolina median (64th percentile)

Worth a look

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

!English II scores 16 pts below the North Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school54%

North Carolina avg54%

279^th of 773

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 36%▲ up 5 pts since 2021

From top 41% (2021) to top 36% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

61^st of 242Discovery 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
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
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
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%	★★☆☆☆

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
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
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
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
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)

Disabled (2022)85th percentile+24 vs school

Male (2025)69th percentile+5 vs school

White (2025)60th percentile-4 vs school

Hispanic (2025)60th percentile-4 vs school

African American (2025)54th percentile-10 vs school

Female (2025)53rd percentile-10 vs school

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

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)52nd percentile-12 vs school

Special Education (2025)40th percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2024-2025) ?

Reading60%+8 vs state

Science56%-4 vs state

Mathematics55%~ state avg

Math III53%-14 vs state

English II44%-16 vs state

Biology38%-10 vs state

Math I36%~ 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

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				EOC Biology (2025)	EOC English II (2025)	EOC Math I (2025)	EOC Math III (2025)	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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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 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
Discovery Charter	Public, Charter, Alternative	6-11	501 Orange Factory Road	Bahama	27503	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%)								(n/a)	37.8	43.9	36.5	52.9				62.4	50.0	52.4				60.4	58.3	62.1		56.3
Excelsior Classical Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4100 N Roxboro Street	Durham	27704	Durham County	Excelsior Classical Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(919) 213-8585	1,032	42	24.7		410 (39.7%)	216 (20.9%)	304 (29.5%)	22 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	80 (7.8%)								(n/a)	23.8	53.1		67.2	60.9	48.9	54.3	48.9	44.4	44.2	53.3	61.7	58.7	48.9	60.0	65.1	65.2	60.5
Voyager Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	101 Hock Parc Drive	Durham	27704	Durham County	Voyager Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 433-3301	1,360	101	13.4	20.4%	714 (52.5%)	348 (25.6%)	156 (11.5%)	43 (3.2%)	15 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	83 (6.1%)								(n/a)	74.8	74.0	55.6	76.5	80.6	67.6	67.6	73.3	71.3	60.0	56.1	71.6	75.5	70.5	71.3	81.0	81.4	91.0
Falls Lake Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1701 East Lyon Station Road	Creedmoor	27522	Granville County	Falls Lake Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 964-9003	1,105	86	12.8		789 (71.4%)	116 (10.5%)	123 (11.1%)	7 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	67 (6.1%)								(n/a)	60.9	75.6	18.8	81.3	74.7	55.4	73.3	75.6	86.6	49.4	67.5	65.1	58.1	59.8	74.4	63.9	77.9	73.5
DPS Hospital School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	DUMC Room 3605	Durham	27710	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 684-5684	0	15	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)																			$64,167	$195	$63,972
Durham Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-11	807 West Chapel Hill Street	Durham	27701	Durham County	Durham Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 956-5599	1,010	73	13.8	99.0%	17 (1.7%)	185 (18.3%)	783 (77.5%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (2.1%)								(n/a)	44.9	56.5	50.0	82.4	80.0	71.8	84.4	76.0	44.8	53.7	51.4	52.1	46.9	61.0	51.7	58.5	89.1	86.6
Eno River Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1212 NC Highway 57 North	Hillsborough	27278	Orange County	Eno River Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(919) 644-6272	828	62	13.2		641 (77.4%)	36 (4.3%)	72 (8.7%)	10 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	67 (8.1%)								(n/a)	69.1	85.3	55.8	90.1	75.0	66.7	75.6	80.3	76.9	63.5	72.5	74.4	75.6	73.8	73.8	71.9	82.9	87.5
NC Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4220 NC Highway 55	Durham	27713	Durham County	NC Virtual Academy	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	(919) 346-0121	3,482	186	18.7		1,480 (42.5%)	1,021 (29.3%)	497 (14.3%)	59 (1.7%)	45 (1.3%)	5 (0.1%)	375 (10.8%)								(n/a)	44.1	56.3	28.8	50.8	45.3	29.2	47.3	36.4	36.8	28.1	49.2	47.9	54.6	46.9	52.9	48.6	61.0	47.3
North Carolina Cyber Academy	Public, Virtual, Charter, Alternative	K-12	2800 Meridian Parkway	Durham	27713	Durham County	North Carolina Cyber Academy	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	(984) 262-9237	2,461	144	17.0		1,071 (43.5%)	688 (28.0%)	401 (16.3%)	71 (2.9%)	28 (1.1%)	7 (0.3%)	195 (7.9%)								(n/a)	42.2	71.1	20.8	58.1	46.0	37.8	36.2	35.0	40.1	25.8	37.6	53.0	50.0	43.3	52.4	53.8	54.3	43.9
Ignite Online Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	5321 Ephesus Church Rd.	Durham	27707	Durham County	Durham Public Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(919) 972-4400	363	28	12.9	58.1%	60 (16.5%)	174 (47.9%)	81 (22.3%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	42 (11.6%)								(n/a)	17.6	43.8		30.6	27.3	33.3	33.3	20.0	25.0	37.0	27.3	66.7	28.6	40.0	57.1	51.9	76.2	40.7

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 279^th of 773 North Carolina alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 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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Schools in Bahama, NC

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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.