Excellent
#184 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 7% in state
Durham School of the Arts
High School · Durham Public Schools
401 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701
Enrollment
1,767
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
1,767
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#11 of 68
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#42 of 579
In district
#12 of 54
Durham Public Schools
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView 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: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.9/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 79% (2009) to 76.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 73% (2009) to 74.4% (2025).
Location
401 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Durham School of the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. J D Clement Early College HS (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Durham's Performance Learning Center (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham | 0.4 mi | 8.9 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Global Scholars Academy Durham | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham | 0.9 mi | — |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Brogden Middle Durham | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham | 1.5 mi | — |
| KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham | 2.0 mi | — |
| Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham | 1.8 mi | 9.5 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,852
Median Home Value
$457,600
Median Rent
$1,279/mo
Population
24,881
College Educated
50.2%
Homeownership
29.3%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
20%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Durham School of the Arts has a median household income of $66,852. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $457,600, with a median rent of $1,279/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC | 8.7 |
| Asheville High Asheville, NC | 8.4 |
| Watauga High Boone, NC | 8.8 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough, NC | 8.2 |
| Green Hope High Cary, NC | 8.2 |
| Reynolds High Asheville, NC | 8.2 |
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 #184 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Durham School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Durham School of the Arts has a composite rating of 8.6 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 School of the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Durham School of the Arts has 66.3% math proficiency and 70.2% 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
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 19.5%
- Phone
- (919) 560-3926
- 4-Year Graduation
- 98.0%
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Durham Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 31,339
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,239
- District Rank
- #12 of 54
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 methodologyRelated reading
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