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Average

#6398 of 9,533 schools in CA

Durham Elementary

Elementary School · Durham Unified

PO Box 700, Durham, CA 95938

Enrollment

494

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durham

#3 of 3

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,814 of 5,817

In district

#3 of 3

Durham Unified

About Durham Elementary

Durham Elementary is a rural public elementary school in Durham, California, nestled in Butte County. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 494 students and employs 22 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1. The academic performance at Durham Elementary is rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it around the 49th percentile among California schools, with an academic score of 6.6/10.

In English language arts and reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 42% reach proficiency levels. The school focuses on student development and has room for academic growth. Durham Elementary is situated near a small town, offering its students a close-knit community environment.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Durham Elementary is 22.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Durham Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Math vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.2 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,634

Durham Elementary — Students at Durham Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 46.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
40%
ELA
44.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.

How Durham Elementary Compares

See how Durham Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
33th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

PO Box 700, Durham, CA 95938

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Durham Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sherwood Montessori (rated 8.6/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Chico), which scores notably higher. Another option is Little Chico Creek Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Chico), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hooker Oak Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Chico), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Durham High Durham 0.1 mi 7.3
Durham Intermediate Durham 0.1 mi 7.0
CORE Butte Charter Chico 4.2 mi 7.2
Time4learning-Torres Chico 5.1 mi
Chapman Elementary Chico 5.6 mi 5.3
Sherwood Montessori Chico 5.6 mi 8.6
Chico Country Day Chico 5.6 mi 4.2
HOPE ACADEMY FOR PERSONALIZED EDUCATION Chico 5.8 mi 4.6
Little Chico Creek Elementary Chico 6.0 mi 8.4
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Chico 5.8 mi 4.5
Notre Dame School Chico 5.8 mi
Butte County Community Chico 6.0 mi 6.8
Pivot Charter School North Valley II Chico 6.1 mi 6.5
Rosedale Elementary Chico 5.9 mi 6.2
Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High Chico 6.4 mi 7.6
Chico Junior High Chico 6.3 mi 6.2
Parkview Elementary Chico 6.6 mi 6.9
Chico High Chico 6.5 mi 6.8
Inspire School of Arts and Sciences Chico 6.5 mi 7.4
Hooker Oak Elementary Chico 6.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95938 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,229

Median Home Value

$532,000

Median Rent

$1,228/mo

Population

4,327

College Educated

40.2%

Homeownership

68.3%

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

46.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Durham Elementary 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alianza Charter Watsonville, CA 5.6
Anthony Spangler Elementary Milpitas, CA 5.6
BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Redding, CA 5.6
Bardin Elementary Salinas, CA 5.6
Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary Tustin, CA 5.6
Biggs Elementary Biggs, CA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Durham Elementary

What grades does Durham Elementary serve?

Durham Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Durham Elementary?

Durham Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Durham Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Durham Elementary is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Durham Elementary rank in CA?

Durham Elementary is ranked #6398 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Durham Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Durham Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Durham Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Durham Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Durham Elementary a charter school?

No, Durham Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Durham Elementary a Title I school?

No, Durham Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Durham Elementary?

42.5% of students at Durham Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (486/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Butte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Durham Unified
District Enrollment
1,026
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,980
District Rank
#3 of 3

Other Schools in This District

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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