Top Rankings
Durham School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 31 public preschools serving 13,500 students in Durham School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in North Carolina.
Public Preschools in Durham School District have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
57 Schools
1,005 Schools
# Students
31,791 Students
477,346 Students
# Teachers
2,104 Teachers
32,717 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Durham School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has increased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#214 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)42%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
63%
Graduation Rate
82%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)40.7%
28.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.71
0.73
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
4%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
35%
24%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
36%
25%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
20%
40%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,762 is higher than the state median of $13,318. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,894 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$533 MM
$20,622 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$601 MM
$21,575 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$16,762
$13,318
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$18,894
$13,934
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Durham School District Public Preschools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pearsontown Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4915 Barbee Road
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3964
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3964
Gr: PK-5 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #22.
George Watts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
700 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3947
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3947
Gr: PK-5 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
Easley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
302 Lebanon Circle
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3913
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3913
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
Morehead Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
909 Cobb Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3954
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3954
Gr: PK-5 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #55.
Mangum Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
9008 Quail Roost Road
Bahama, NC 27503
(919) 560-3948
Bahama, NC 27503
(919) 560-3948
Gr: PK-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Dps Hospital School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Dumc Room 3605
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-5684
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-5684
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #77.
Burton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1500 Mathison Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3908
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3908
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #88.
R N Harris Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1520 Cooper Street
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3967
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3967
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Southwest Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2320 Cook Road
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3972
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3972
Gr: PK-5 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1010.
E K Powe Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
913 9th Street
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 560-3963
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 560-3963
Gr: PK-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Forest View Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3007 Mount Sinai Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 560-3932
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 560-3932
Gr: PK-5 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Little River Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2315 Snow Hill Road
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3940
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3940
Gr: PK-5 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1313.
Spring Valley Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2051 Northern Durham Prky
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-2890
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-2890
Gr: PK-5 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1414.
Sandy Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1417 Old Oxford Highway
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-2695
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-2695
Gr: PK-5 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1515.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5321 Ephesus Church Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3919
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3919
Gr: PK-5 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1616.
Eno Valley Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
117 Milton Road
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3915
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3915
Gr: PK-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1717.
Hillandale Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2730 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 560-3924
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 560-3924
Gr: PK-5 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1818.
Oak Grove Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3810 Wake Forest Road
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3960
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3960
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1919.
Merrick-moore Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2325 Cheek Road
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3952
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3952
Gr: PK-5 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2020.
Holt Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4019 Holt School Road
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3928
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3928
Gr: PK-5 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2121.
Parkwood Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5207 Revere Road
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3962
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3962
Gr: PK-5 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2222.
Glenn Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2415 E Geer Street
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3920
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3920
Gr: PK-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2323.
W G Pearson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3501 Fayettville Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3988
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3988
Gr: PK-5 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2424.
Eastway Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
610 North Alston Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3910
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3910
Gr: PK-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2525.
Bethesda Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2009 S Miami Boulevard
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3904
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3904
Gr: PK-5 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Fayetteville Street Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2905 Fayetteville Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3944
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3944
Gr: PK-5 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Lakewood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2520 Vesson Avenue
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3939
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3939
Gr: PK-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2828.
Y E Smith Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2410 E Main Street
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3900
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3900
Gr: PK-5 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2929.
C C Spaulding Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1531 S Roxboro Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3974
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3974
Gr: PK-5 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
906 Scott King Rd
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3749
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3749
Gr: PK-5 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: n/an/a
3901 S Roxboro St
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3749
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3749
Gr: PK-5 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
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