Northern High School

117 Tom Wilkinson Road
Durham, NC 27712
(School attendance zone shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 1,307 students in grades 9-12, Northern High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55-59% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 39% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,307 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 80%
  • : 83% (Btm 50% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 55-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Northern High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools

School Overview

Northern High School's student population of 1,307 students has declined by 12% over five school years.
The teacher population of 97 teachers has grown by 5% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,307 students
This chart display total students of Northern High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Gender %
This chart display gender of Northern High School
Total Classroom Teachers
97 teachers
This chart display the total teachers of Northern High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart display the students of Northern High School by grade.

School Rankings

Northern High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Northern High School is 0.68, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (NC)
#1375 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart display the overall school rank of Northern High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
55-59%
51%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Northern High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
39%
50%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Northern High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
14:1
This chart display the student teacher ratio of Northern High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
1%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian students in Northern High School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.
Asian
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Northern High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hispanic
33%
20%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Northern High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Black
42%
25%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Northern High School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
White
20%
45%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Northern High School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
This chart display the percentage of students of two or more races in Northern High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Northern High School.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in NC.
0.68
This chart display the diversity score of Northern High School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
83%
86%
This chart display graduation rate of Northern High School and public school graduation rate of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
47%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Northern High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
2%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Northern High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Northern High School's ranking?
Northern High School is ranked #1375 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Northern High School often compared to?
Northern High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Riverside High School, C E Jordan High School, Hillside High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
55-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Northern High School?
The graduation rate of Northern High School is 83%, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Northern High School?
1,307 students attend Northern High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of Northern High School students are Black, 33% of students are Hispanic, 20% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Northern High School?
Northern High School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 14:1.
What grades does Northern High School offer ?
Northern High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Northern High School part of?
Northern High School is part of Durham Public Schools School District.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,307 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 80%
  • : 83% (Btm 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 55-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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