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Excellent

#148 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 6% 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

8.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#148 of 2,648

In Durham

#10 of 68

public schools

In district

#11 of 54

Durham Public Schools

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Durham School of the Arts

8.7/10

High School in Durham · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central Park School for Children

5.6/10

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

George Watts Elementary

8.9/10

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

About Durham School of the Arts

Durham School of the Arts is a public high school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. Durham School of the Arts serves approximately 1,767 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Durham School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #148 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Durham School of the Arts show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+20.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate98%
AP Participation28%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism19.5%

Durham School of the Arts — Students at Durham School of the Arts score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 66.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 70.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (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
79%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
50%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
70.4%
ELA
68.7%
2025
Math
76%
ELA
74.3%

* 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: 8.9/10.

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
8.7/10
94th percentile in NC
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
28% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. J D Clement Early College HS (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Durham's Performance Learning Center (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 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 5.6
George Watts Elementary Durham 0.4 mi 8.9
IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham 0.6 mi 7.4
Durham Charter School Durham 0.6 mi 7.1
Global Scholars Academy Durham 0.8 mi 7.9
EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham 0.9 mi
Morehead Montessori Durham 1.1 mi 8.8
E K Powe Elementary Durham 1.1 mi 7.9
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 1.2 mi 8.2
Brogden Middle Durham 1.5 mi 4.6
Eastway Elementary Durham 1.5 mi 6.1
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham 1.7 mi 4.9
INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham 1.5 mi
KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham 1.5 mi 6.9
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 2.0 mi
Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham 1.8 mi 9.6
J D Clement Early College HS Durham 2.0 mi 7.5
Burton Elementary Durham 2.0 mi 9.0
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham 1.8 mi 6.2
Maureen Joy Charter School Durham 2.1 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC 8.7
Watauga High Boone, NC 8.7
Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC 8.6
Asheville High Asheville, NC 8.3
Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC 8.2
Marvin Ridge High Waxhaw, NC 8.2

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 ranks #148 of 2,648 schools in NC.

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

Durham School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Durham School of the Arts?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Durham School of the Arts has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.5%
4-Year Graduation
98.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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