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Very Good

#465 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 18% in state

Discovery Charter

Middle School · Discovery Charter School

PO Box 72117, Durham, NC 27722

Charter

Enrollment

412

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 10th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#465 of 2,648

In Durham

#18 of 68

public schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Discovery Charter

7.9/10

Middle School in Durham · grades 6th – 10th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lucas Middle

7.1/10

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

Little River K-8 School

5.4/10

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

About Discovery Charter

Discovery Charter is a public middle school in Durham, NC, part of Discovery Charter School. Discovery Charter serves approximately 412 students, and covers grades 6th-10th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #465 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Charter show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts above NC schools
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Discovery Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Discovery Charter sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)77% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-19.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,828
Chronic Absenteeism15%

Discovery Charter — Students at Discovery Charter score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.8% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 57.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 14 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
40.7%
ELA
58.7%
2025
Math
55%
ELA
60.3%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Discovery Charter Compares

See how Discovery Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in NC
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

Location

PO Box 72117, Durham, NC 27722

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Charter may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lucas Middle (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is George L Carrington Middle (rated 5.4/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Brogden Middle (rated 4.6/10, 7.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Lucas Middle Durham 1.4 mi 7.1
Little River K-8 School Durham 2.5 mi 5.4
Mangum Elementary Bahama 2.9 mi 8.8
Eno Valley Elementary Durham 3.4 mi 6.1
George L Carrington Middle Durham 3.4 mi 5.4
Easley Elementary Durham 4.3 mi 8.7
Northern High Durham 4.7 mi 4.6
Sandy Ridge Elementary Durham 5.0 mi 7.8
Holt Elementary Durham 5.2 mi 5.9
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham 5.0 mi 7.3
Excelsior Classical Academy Durham 5.7 mi 4.4
Voyager Academy Durham 5.8 mi 8.0
The School for Creative Studies Durham 5.4 mi 7.3
Riverside High Durham 5.5 mi 5.5
Hillandale Elementary Durham 5.9 mi 3.8
Lakeview School Durham 6.4 mi 5.6
City of Medicine Academy Durham 6.4 mi 9.1
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 6.9 mi
Brogden Middle Durham 7.3 mi 4.6
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 7.6 mi 8.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Oakwood Middle IB School Statesville, NC 7.9
Madison Middle School Marshall, NC 8.0
North Davie Middle Mocksville, NC 8.0
Phillips Middle Chapel Hill, NC 8.0
Chocowinity Middle Chocowinity, NC 7.8
Perquimans County Middle Winfall, NC 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Charter

What grades does Discovery Charter serve?

Discovery Charter serves students in grades 6th through 10th.

How many students attend Discovery Charter?

Discovery Charter has an enrollment of approximately 412 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Charter rank in NC?

Discovery Charter ranks #465 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Discovery Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Discovery Charter?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Charter has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

Is Discovery Charter a charter school?

Yes, Discovery Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Discovery Charter a Title I school?

No, Discovery Charter is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 10th
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Durham County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

District

Discovery Charter School
District Enrollment
412
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,828
District Rank
#1 of 1

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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