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Average

#1601 of 2,648 schools in NC

Bethesda Elementary

Elementary School · Durham Public Schools

2009 S Miami Boulevard, Durham, NC 27703

Enrollment

577

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,601 of 2,648

In Durham

#41 of 68

public schools

In district

#34 of 54

Durham Public Schools

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Bethesda Elementary

5.8/10

Elementary School in Durham · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bethesda Christian Academy

6.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Research Triangle Charter

4.5/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bethesda Elementary

Bethesda Elementary is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. Bethesda Elementary serves approximately 577 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethesda Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,601 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Bethesda Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

56% of students at Bethesda Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism56.3%

Bethesda Elementary — Students at Bethesda Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 31.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
69%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
26%
ELA
26%
2013
Math
29%
ELA
21%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
24%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
24%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
33.4%
ELA
27%
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: 6.1/10.

How Bethesda Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
40th percentile in NC
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
56.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.0/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Reaching All Minds Academy (rated 8.3/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pleasant Grove Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Morrisville), which scores notably 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 7.7
The Institute Development Young Leaders Durham 2.9 mi 6.8
Oak Grove Elementary Durham 2.9 mi 7.5
TUTORIAL -1/2 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Durham 3.1 mi
Brier Creek Elementary Raleigh 3.2 mi 3.6
Reaching All Minds Academy Durham 3.5 mi 8.3
GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham 3.6 mi
R N Harris Elementary Durham 3.3 mi 5.4
Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham 3.4 mi 9.5
Pleasant Grove Elementary Morrisville 3.8 mi 8.0
Y E Smith Elementary Durham 3.7 mi 4.7
Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk 3.7 mi 8.6
Maureen Joy Charter School Durham 3.8 mi 6.1
Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Durham 4.2 mi 4.6
NC Virtual Academy Durham 3.6 mi 4.7
Burton Elementary Durham 3.9 mi 9.0
Lowe's Grove Middle Durham 3.8 mi 4.1
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham 4.1 mi 6.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Albemarle Road Elementary Charlotte, NC 5.8
Banks Elementary Kinston, NC 5.8
Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City, NC 5.8
Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC 5.8
Brevard Elementary Brevard, NC 5.8
Deep Branch Elementary Lumberton, NC 5.8

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 ranks #1,601 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bethesda Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethesda Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bethesda Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethesda Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
56.3%

District

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

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