Best Schools in Durham, California
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Durham?
Use this page to compare every school in Durham by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Durham High
High · Durham Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Durham Intermediate
Middle · Durham Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Durham Elementary
Elementary · Durham Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Durham for 2026 are Durham High (8.4/10), Durham Intermediate (7.8/10), and Durham Elementary (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$532,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$532,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +1.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Durham schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Durham
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham High | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Durham Intermediate | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Durham Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $103,229
- Median home value
- $532,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Durham compares
California rank
#105 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$103k
104% of California median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Durham, California
Durham, California is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Durham perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Durham is Durham High with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Durham is served by 1 school district: Durham Unified. These districts collectively serve 1,026 students.
Durham's community shows 40% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $103,229. The poverty rate in the area is 5.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 494 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 224 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 308 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
Schools in Durham
Durham, California · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$103,229
Median Home Value
$532,000
Median Rent
$1,228/mo
Population
4,327
College Educated
40%
Homeownership
68%
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Community Profile
Durham has a median household income of $103,229. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $532,000, with a median rent of $1,228/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Durham, California
How many schools are in Durham, California?
Durham has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Durham, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Durham is 7.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Durham, California?
The top-ranked school in Durham on MySchoolScout is Durham High with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Durham, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Durham on MySchoolScout is Durham Elementary with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Durham, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Durham on MySchoolScout is Durham Intermediate with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Durham, California?
The top-ranked high school in Durham on MySchoolScout is Durham High with a composite score of 8.4/10.
How many school districts serve Durham, California?
Durham is served by 1 school district: Durham Unified.
What is the education level in Durham, California?
According to Census data, 40% of adults in Durham have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Durham, California?
The median household income in Durham is approximately $103,229 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Durham, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Durham is 19.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Durham, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.