Hillside High School is a four-year high school located in Durham, North Carolina. Hillside is one of seven high schools in the Durham Public Schools system. Of more than 300 historically black high schools that once operated in the state before desegregation, only five remain today, with Hillside being the oldest.
Serving 1,433 students in grades 9-12, Hillside High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30-34% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,433 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 84% (Btm 50% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 45% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Hillside High serves the southern part of Durham, NC, covering an area of approximately 42.2 square miles. Families can expect a typical drive of about 10-12 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 3.9 miles to the edge of the attendance zone and a maximum distance of 7.3 miles to its furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
School Overview
Hillside High School's student population of 1,433 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 82 teachers has declined by 14% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,433 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
82 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1887
School Calendar
School Rankings
Hillside 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 Hillside High School is 0.54, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1818 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)30-34%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
5%
Showing 2009–2025. Full 30-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
32%
22%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 30-year historical data available below ↓
Black
60%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
White
2%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 30-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 30-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
84%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)60.9%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
72%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (18-19)
3%
4%
Showing 2010–2019. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Navy Blue
School Mascot
Hornet
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hillside High School's ranking?
Hillside High School is ranked #1818 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Hillside High School often compared to?
Hillside High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like C E Jordan High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30-34% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 45% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Hillside High School?
The graduation rate of Hillside High School is 84%, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 86.5%.
How many students attend Hillside High School?
1,433 students attend Hillside High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
60% of Hillside High School students are Black, 32% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Hillside High School?
Hillside High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Hillside High School offer ?
Hillside High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Hillside High School part of?
Hillside High School is part of Durham School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Hillside is one of the most progressive high schools I have worked at in NC (the 4th school I' 've worked for in the 3rd county). Despite the violence and other issues in the community surrounding the campus Hillside continues to create scholars that achieve amazing things. Over the past several years Hillside students have earned more than $20 million in scholarships each year, year over year. As someone who attended Chapel Hill High School in the 90''s when it was rated the best in the state, I Hillside is leaps and bounds ahead of most schools in terms of students being prepared to enter society as productive members.
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