Best Schools in Durham, NC — 2026 Rankings
We ranked all 68 schools in Durham, North Carolina for 2026. The top school scored 9.1/10 across academics, growth, equity, and environment.
Schools in Durham, North Carolina score above the state average on our composite index. Across 68 schools, we found clear standouts — here are the top performers based on the latest available data.
Durham at a Glance
- Total Schools: 68
- Total Students: 44,060
- City Average Score: 5.0/10
- Top School Score: 9.1/10
- Average Student-Teacher Ratio: 13.8:1
- School Types: 39 Elementary, 10 Middle, 13 High, 6 K-12 / Other
- Charter Schools: 15
Top 10 Schools in Durham
| Rank | School | Level | Score | Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Medicine Academy | High | 9.1 | 336 | 14.6:1 |
| 2 | Durham School of Technology | High | 8.9 | 239 | 14.1:1 |
| 3 | Lakewood Montessori Middle | Middle | 8.7 | 303 | 14.4:1 |
| 4 | J D Clement Early College HS | High | 8.3 | 386 | 24.1:1 |
| 5 | Burton Elementary | Elementary | 8.0 | 294 | 9.5:1 |
| 6 | Easley Elementary | Elementary | 8.0 | 478 | 13.3:1 |
| 7 | Middle College HS @ DTCC | High | 8.0 | 134 | 19.1:1 |
| 8 | Morehead Montessori | Elementary | 7.8 | 226 | 10.8:1 |
| 9 | Durham School of the Arts | High | 7.8 | 1,767 | 16.1:1 |
| 10 | Voyager Academy | K-12 / Other | 7.7 | 1,363 | 13.2:1 |
About City of Medicine Academy
City of Medicine Academy leads our Durham rankings with a composite score of 9.1 out of 10. The school stands out for strong academics (9.8/10) and excellent equity metrics (9.8/10). As a high school serving 336 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, it offers a competitive learning environment.
Score Breakdown: How Durham’s Top Schools Compare
The gap between the top-ranked and third-ranked school in Durham is narrow, meaning families have several equally strong options. Our composite score weighs four factors: academic performance (test scores), student growth over time, equity (how well the school serves all student groups), and environment (class size, teacher ratios, and resources).
What’s Next
These rankings are updated as new data becomes available. Bookmark this page to stay current on Durham’s top schools, and sign up for our newsletter to get updates on school ratings, new data releases, and guides for parents navigating school choice in North Carolina.
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