Burton Elementary vs Merrick-Moore Elementary
Burton Elementary has a higher overall rating of 9.0/10 compared to 6.4/10. Merrick-Moore Elementary is significantly larger with 535 students, about 1.8× the size of Burton Elementary (294). In math proficiency, Burton Elementary leads at 27.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Burton Elementary
Durham, NC
294 students
Merrick-Moore Elementary
Durham, NC
535 students
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| Metric | Burton Elementary | Merrick-Moore Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.0 / 10 | 6.4 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.8 | 6.2 |
| Growth Score | 8.8 | 6.2 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 99% | 99.4% |
| Environment Score | 9.6 | 7.4 |
| State Rank | #27 of 2,660 | #1,309 of 2,660 |
| State Percentile | 99th | 51th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Burton Elementary | Merrick-Moore Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 27.0% | 22.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 42.0% | 18.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Durham (27701) | Durham (27704) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,852 | $62,435 |
| Median Home Value | $457,600 | $270,000 |
| Median Rent | $1,279 | $1,306 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 50.2% | 33.2% |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 13.5% |
| Avg Commute | 21 min | 25 min |
The data story: Burton Elementary vs Merrick-Moore Elementary
Burton Elementary and Merrick-Moore Elementary sit 2.7 miles apart in Durham, North Carolina, and both earn strong marks on MySchoolScout — but there is a meaningful gap at the top. Burton Elementary rates 9.5/10 against Merrick-Moore Elementary's 8.8/10, a 0.7-point difference that translates to a significant state rank spread: Burton Elementary sits at #6 of 2,648 schools in North Carolina, while Merrick-Moore Elementary ranks #108 of the same pool. Both are elite performers, but Burton's placement puts it in the top 0.2% of the state.
The sharpest divergence between the two schools is academic proficiency. Burton Elementary scores 8.7/10 on academics versus Merrick-Moore Elementary's 6.4/10 — a 2.3-point gap that suggests meaningfully higher tested achievement at Burton. That said, the two schools are identical on growth: both earn a 9.8/10 growth score, indicating that students at Merrick-Moore Elementary are making exceptional learning gains even if their starting proficiency levels are lower. For families focused on trajectory rather than snapshot scores, Merrick-Moore's growth number is a genuine strength.
Burton Elementary enrolls 294 students compared to Merrick-Moore Elementary's 535, making Burton noticeably smaller. That size difference shows up in the student-teacher ratio: Burton Elementary runs 9.5 students per teacher versus Merrick-Moore Elementary's 12.4:1 — nearly three additional students per classroom on average. Both schools serve identical free and reduced lunch populations, with 99% of students qualifying at each campus, so socioeconomic context is effectively equal and does not explain the academic score gap.
One structural distinction: Burton Elementary serves grades PK through 05, giving families access to pre-kindergarten on site, while Merrick-Moore Elementary starts at kindergarten. For parents of preschool-age children who want to keep siblings at the same campus or establish a relationship with a school early, that pre-K option at Burton is a practical differentiator. Both schools are full elementary programs through fifth grade.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Burton Elementary
Burton Elementary suits families who prioritize the highest available academic proficiency scores and want smaller class sizes — its 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio and #6 state ranking make it the stronger fit if a parent's primary goal is maximizing tested academic outcomes. Families with a pre-kindergarten-age child also gain a practical advantage from Burton's PK–05 grade span.
Merrick-Moore Elementary
Merrick-Moore Elementary suits families who value exceptional student growth — its 9.8/10 growth score matches Burton's exactly, meaning students are accelerating at the same rate in a larger, more typical classroom environment. Parents comfortable with a KG start and a bigger school community will find Merrick-Moore a high-performing choice at #108 statewide without the potential waitlist pressure of a top-6 school.