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Excellent

#65 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 2% in state

City of Medicine Academy

High School · Durham Public Schools

301 Crutchfield Road, Durham, NC 27704

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

9.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durham

#6 of 68

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#3 of 579

In district

#6 of 54

Durham Public Schools

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About City of Medicine Academy

City of Medicine Academy is a public high school in Durham, North Carolina, serving 336 students in grades 9 through 12. A student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable and supports more direct instruction for students. The school carries an Exceptional composite score of 9.0 out of 10, anchored by an academic score of 9.8 — among the highest in the state.

It ranks 3rd among all 579 high schools in North Carolina, a distinction that reflects sustained top-tier performance across a large and competitive field. Statewide, City of Medicine Academy outperforms 98% of public schools, placing it in the same narrow band as the state's most academically rigorous institutions. Within Durham, it ranks 6th out of 68 schools.

The growth score of 7.9 indicates that students are advancing meaningfully relative to their peers — not simply arriving prepared and coasting. That combination of high achievement and measurable growth makes this school stand out even against strong local competitors. For families weighing high school options in the Durham area, the data makes a clear case.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency94.4%
Math vs. State Avg+30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40.8 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+34.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation28.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,937

City of Medicine Academy — Students at City of Medicine Academy score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.8%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 77.8%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 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
72%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
86.5%
ELA
94.4%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How City of Medicine Academy Compares

See how City of Medicine Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
98th percentile in NC
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

301 Crutchfield Road, Durham, NC 27704

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering City of Medicine Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Durham School of the Arts (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Lakeview School (rated 5.8/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Northern High (rated 4.8/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Excelsior Classical Academy Durham 0.6 mi 4.0
Voyager Academy Durham 0.6 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 0.6 mi
Brogden Middle Durham 1.0 mi 6.1
Holt Elementary Durham 1.3 mi 7.9
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 1.4 mi 8.2
Lakeview School Durham 1.3 mi 5.8
Northern High Durham 1.7 mi 4.8
George Watts Elementary Durham 2.1 mi 7.7
E K Powe Elementary Durham 2.1 mi 6.9
Central Park School For Children Durham 2.3 mi 6.7
Hillandale Elementary Durham 2.0 mi 6.0
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham 2.2 mi 7.3
Durham School of the Arts Durham 2.4 mi 7.9
Sandy Ridge Elementary Durham 2.2 mi 7.9
Global Scholars Academy Durham 2.6 mi 7.5
IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham 2.9 mi 7.4
Durham Charter School Durham 3.0 mi 8.6
EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham 3.0 mi
Easley Elementary Durham 2.9 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,435

Median Home Value

$270,000

Median Rent

$1,306/mo

Population

41,346

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

58.1%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding City of Medicine Academy has a median household income of $62,435. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,000, with a median rent of $1,306/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Durham School of Technology Durham, NC 8.9
Philip J Weaver Ed Center Greensboro, NC 8.9
Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Elizabethtown, NC 8.6
Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy Raleigh, NC 8.6
SEA-Tech Castle Hayne, NC 8.2
Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Raleigh, NC 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about City of Medicine Academy

What grades does City of Medicine Academy serve?

City of Medicine Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend City of Medicine Academy?

City of Medicine Academy has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at City of Medicine Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at City of Medicine Academy is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does City of Medicine Academy rank in NC?

City of Medicine Academy is ranked #65 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is City of Medicine Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

City of Medicine Academy has a composite rating of 9.0 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 City of Medicine Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, City of Medicine Academy has 81.8% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is City of Medicine Academy a charter school?

No, City of Medicine Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is City of Medicine Academy a Title I school?

No, City of Medicine Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for City of Medicine Academy?

62.8% of students at City of Medicine Academy 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
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
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
#6 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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