Average
#1238 of 2,612 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
Durham School of the Arts
High School · Durham Public Schools
401 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701
About Durham School of the Arts
Durham School of the Arts serves 1,767 students in grades 6 through 12, offering a specialized educational experience in the heart of Durham. With 110 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides personalized attention while fostering creative and academic excellence. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #408 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among North Carolina schools.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 77% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 75% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across grade levels. Located at 401 North Duke Street, Durham School of the Arts draws from a diverse community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's commitment to education. The surrounding neighborhood in the 27701 ZIP code features a median household income of $61,475 and median home values of $414,100, though the 21.9% poverty rate indicates economic diversity among the school's families.
The school sits in Durham's vibrant urban environment, providing students access to the cultural richness and educational opportunities that come with being part of a dynamic large city setting.
Score Breakdown
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Durham School of the Arts — Students at Durham School of the Arts score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
📈 ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.4/10.
How Durham School of the Arts Compares
See how Durham School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 76.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 74.4% (2025).
Location
401 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Global Scholars Academy Durham | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Brogden Middle Durham | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Lakewood Elementary Durham | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| City of Medicine Academy Durham | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2018-2022)
Census data for ZIP 27701 (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,475
Median Home Value
$414,100
Median Rent
$1,117/mo
Population
24,380
College Educated
49.5%
Homeownership
29.6%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
21.9%
Median Age
33.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| D H Conley High Greenville, NC | 5.7 |
| East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC | 5.7 |
| Northwest Cabarrus High Concord, NC | 5.7 |
| Purnell Swett High Pembroke, NC | 5.7 |
| West Henderson High Hendersonville, NC | 5.7 |
| Cary High Cary, NC | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Durham School of the Arts
What grades does Durham School of the Arts serve?
Durham School of the Arts serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Durham School of the Arts?
Durham School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 1,767 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Durham School of the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Durham School of the Arts is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Durham School of the Arts rank in NC?
Durham School of the Arts is ranked #1238 out of 2,612 schools in NC.
What is Durham School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Durham School of the Arts has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment into a single score.
What are the test scores at Durham School of the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Durham School of the Arts has 70.3% math proficiency and 72.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Durham School of the Arts a charter school?
No, Durham School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Durham School of the Arts a Title I school?
No, Durham School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Durham School of the Arts?
37.7% of students at Durham School of the Arts qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,767
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 110
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 560-3926
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Our ratings combine academic performance, growth, equity, and school environment into a single 1-10 score using publicly available data.
Read our methodology