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Very Good

#485 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 18% in state

Durham School of the Arts

High School · Durham Public Schools

401 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701

Enrollment

1,767

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durham

#25 of 68

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#18 of 579

In district

#24 of 54

Durham Public Schools

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Durham School of the Arts

Durham School of the Arts serves 1,767 students in grades 6 through 12, offering a specialized educational experience in the heart of Durham. With 110 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides personalized attention while fostering creative and academic excellence. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #408 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among North Carolina schools.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 77% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 75% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across grade levels. Located at 401 North Duke Street, Durham School of the Arts draws from a diverse community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's commitment to education. The surrounding neighborhood in the 27701 ZIP code features a median household income of $61,475 and median home values of $414,100, though the 21.9% poverty rate indicates economic diversity among the school's families.

The school sits in Durham's vibrant urban environment, providing students access to the cultural richness and educational opportunities that come with being part of a dynamic large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency85.6%
Math vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation28%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,937

Durham School of the Arts — Students at Durham School of the Arts score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.2%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 73.9%
School
State
53.0%

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
68%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
71.2%
ELA
77.1%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Durham School of the Arts Compares

See how Durham School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
82th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers

Location

401 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Durham School of the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Durham's Performance Learning Center (rated 6.0/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, J D Clement Early College HS (rated 4.5/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Park School For Children Durham 0.3 mi 6.7
George Watts Elementary Durham 0.4 mi 7.7
IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham 0.6 mi 7.4
Durham Charter School Durham 0.6 mi 8.6
Global Scholars Academy Durham 0.8 mi 7.5
EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham 0.9 mi
Morehead Montessori Durham 1.1 mi 8.8
E K Powe Elementary Durham 1.1 mi 6.9
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 1.2 mi 8.2
Brogden Middle Durham 1.5 mi 6.1
Eastway Elementary Durham 1.5 mi 8.1
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham 1.7 mi 8.0
INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham 1.5 mi
KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham 1.5 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 2.0 mi
Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham 1.8 mi 9.2
J D Clement Early College HS Durham 2.0 mi 4.5
Burton Elementary Durham 2.0 mi 9.5
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham 1.8 mi 6.0
Maureen Joy Charter School Durham 2.1 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,852

Median Home Value

$457,600

Median Rent

$1,279/mo

Population

24,881

College Educated

50.2%

Homeownership

29.3%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

20%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Durham School of the Arts has a median household income of $66,852. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $457,600, with a median rent of $1,279/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Watauga High Boone, NC 7.6
East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC 6.9
Marvin Ridge High Waxhaw, NC 6.9
West Charlotte High School Charlotte, NC 6.7
Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC 6.6
Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Durham School of the Arts

What grades does Durham School of the Arts serve?

Durham School of the Arts serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Durham School of the Arts?

Durham School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 1,767 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Durham School of the Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Durham School of the Arts is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Durham School of the Arts rank in NC?

Durham School of the Arts is ranked #485 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Durham School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Durham School of the Arts has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Durham School of the Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Durham School of the Arts has 67.2% math proficiency and 73.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Durham School of the Arts a charter school?

No, Durham School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Durham School of the Arts a Title I school?

No, Durham School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Durham School of the Arts?

37.7% of students at Durham School of the Arts 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
89 Very Walkable
Transit Score
67 Good Transit
Bike Score
76 Very 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
6th – 12th
Enrollment
1,767
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
110
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
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
#24 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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