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Excellent

#6 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 1% in state

Lakewood Montessori Middle

Middle School · Durham Public Schools

2119 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707

Enrollment

303

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

9.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durham

#2 of 68

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#1 of 475

In district

#2 of 54

Durham Public Schools

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Lakewood Montessori Middle

Lakewood Montessori Middle is a regular public school in Durham, North Carolina, serving 303 students in grades 6 through 8. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.5 academic score and a 9.3 growth score. Both marks land near the ceiling of what public schools in North Carolina produce.

The statewide rankings put the scores in perspective. Lakewood Montessori Middle places first among all 475 public middle schools in North Carolina. Overall, it ranks 22nd out of 2,648 public schools across every grade level — outperforming 99% of the state.

Within Durham, the school holds 4th place among 68 public schools. A student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 gives teachers room for the individualized instruction the Montessori model depends on. The 9.3 growth score reinforces the academic score: students here advance faster than expected given where they start, not simply because they arrive with advantages.

For families evaluating middle school options in Durham or across North Carolina, this school sits at the top of a very short list.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.4%
Math vs. State Avg+28.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+30.2 pts
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+15.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism12.2%

Lakewood Montessori Middle — Students at Lakewood Montessori Middle score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 66.8%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2010
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
35%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
34%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
59%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
70.5%
ELA
78.7%
2025
Math
85.3%
ELA
82.4%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Lakewood Montessori Middle Compares

See how Lakewood Montessori Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.5/10
100th percentile in NC
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
12.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2119 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lakewood Montessori Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. George Watts Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rogers-Herr Middle (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham 0.3 mi
Lakewood Elementary Durham 0.4 mi 6.0
Rogers-Herr Middle Durham 0.9 mi 8.6
Morehead Montessori Durham 0.9 mi 8.8
Durham Charter School Durham 1.2 mi 7.1
INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durham 1.2 mi 8.2
Hope Valley Elementary Durham 1.3 mi 6.6
IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham 1.2 mi 7.4
DURHAM ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL DIV Durham 1.5 mi 6.2
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham 1.4 mi 4.7
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DURHAM Durham 1.5 mi 7.1
LERNER JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Durham 1.5 mi 5.9
Community School of Digital & Visual Art Durham 1.5 mi 4.4
Durham School of the Arts Durham 1.8 mi 8.6
E K Powe Elementary Durham 2.0 mi 7.9
FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham 1.9 mi 6.9
George Watts Elementary Durham 1.9 mi 8.9
J D Clement Early College HS Durham 1.7 mi 7.5
Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham 1.9 mi 5.5
W G Pearson Elementary Durham 2.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,432

Median Home Value

$371,500

Median Rent

$1,364/mo

Population

50,865

College Educated

56.9%

Homeownership

47.2%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lakewood Montessori Middle has a median household income of $72,432. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $371,500, with a median rent of $1,364/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. 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
STEM Early High Henderson, NC 9.2
The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC 9.2
Brown Summit Middle Browns Summit, NC 9.0
Magellan Charter Raleigh, NC 9.0
Ashe County Middle Warrensville, NC 8.8
Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lakewood Montessori Middle

What grades does Lakewood Montessori Middle serve?

Lakewood Montessori Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lakewood Montessori Middle?

Lakewood Montessori Middle has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakewood Montessori Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Lakewood Montessori Middle is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lakewood Montessori Middle rank in NC?

Lakewood Montessori Middle is ranked #6 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Lakewood Montessori Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Lakewood Montessori Middle has a composite rating of 9.5 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 Lakewood Montessori Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lakewood Montessori Middle has 61.0% math proficiency and 66.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lakewood Montessori Middle a charter school?

No, Lakewood Montessori Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lakewood Montessori Middle a Title I school?

No, Lakewood Montessori Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lakewood Montessori Middle?

27.7% of students at Lakewood Montessori Middle 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

Walk Score
75 Very Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Compare This School

How does Lakewood Montessori Middle stack up?

Rogers-Herr Middle
8.6
James E Shepard Middle
7.6
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Durham County
Chronic Absenteeism
12.2%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Durham Public Schools
District Enrollment
31,339
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,239
District Rank
#2 of 54

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

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