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Excellent

#286 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 11% in state

Bethesda Elementary

Elementary School · Durham Public Schools

2009 S Miami Boulevard, Durham, NC 27703

Enrollment

577

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durham

#17 of 68

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#258 of 1,474

In district

#15 of 54

Durham Public Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Bethesda Elementary

Bethesda Elementary is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of the Durham Public Schools. The school serves approximately 577 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89.2th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 38% proficiency in math, 22 points below the state average and 34% in reading/language arts, 19 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $86,953, where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.9%
Math vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,937

Bethesda Elementary — Students at Bethesda Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.7%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 33.9%
School
State
52.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2025
Math
47.6%
ELA
40.8%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Bethesda Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
89th percentile in NC
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

2009 S Miami Boulevard, Durham, NC 27703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethesda Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burton Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oak Grove Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Spring Valley Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
BETHESDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham 0.2 mi 6.2
Research Triangle Charter Durham 0.8 mi 4.5
Spring Valley Elementary Durham 1.7 mi 8.7
The Institute Development Young Leaders Durham 2.9 mi 7.0
Oak Grove Elementary Durham 2.9 mi 9.3
TUTORIAL -1/2 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Durham 3.1 mi
Brier Creek Elementary Raleigh 3.2 mi 5.3
Reaching All Minds Academy Durham 3.5 mi 8.4
GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham 3.6 mi
R N Harris Elementary Durham 3.3 mi 6.7
Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham 3.4 mi 7.7
Pleasant Grove Elementary Morrisville 3.8 mi 8.3
Y E Smith Elementary Durham 3.7 mi 5.2
Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk 3.7 mi 6.1
Maureen Joy Charter School Durham 3.8 mi 7.7
Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Durham 4.2 mi 4.4
NC Virtual Academy Durham 3.6 mi 3.3
Burton Elementary Durham 3.9 mi 9.5
Lowe's Grove Middle Durham 3.8 mi 4.1
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham 4.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,953

Median Home Value

$340,500

Median Rent

$1,469/mo

Population

62,994

College Educated

45.1%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bethesda Elementary has a median household income of $86,953. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,500, with a median rent of $1,469/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Alderman Road Elementary Fayetteville, NC 8.3
Banks Elementary Kinston, NC 8.3
Cary Elementary Cary, NC 8.3
Ceasar Cone Elementary Greensboro, NC 8.3
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington, NC 8.3
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina, NC 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethesda Elementary

What grades does Bethesda Elementary serve?

Bethesda Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Bethesda Elementary?

Bethesda Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 577 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethesda Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bethesda Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethesda Elementary rank in NC?

Bethesda Elementary is ranked #286 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bethesda Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethesda Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Bethesda Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethesda Elementary has 37.7% math proficiency and 33.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bethesda Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Bethesda Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

99.5% of students at Bethesda 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

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,431/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Durham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
577
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Durham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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