Average
#1595 of 2,648 schools in NC
Durham's Performance Learning Center
High School · Durham Public Schools
401 North Driver Street, Durham, NC 27703
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#53 of 68
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#190 of 579
In district
#44 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Durham's Performance Learning Center
Durham's Performance Learning Center is an alternative high school located in the heart of Durham, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, this small but supportive community offers a personalized learning environment with a student-to-teacher ratio of 6.8:1. The school’s enrollment stands at 122 students and employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, the Performance Learning Center is currently ranked in the lower tier of North Carolina schools, reflecting areas where significant growth could be beneficial. With an ELA proficiency rate of 9% and a math proficiency rate of 16%, there’s clear room for improvement. However, the school places a strong emphasis on student development and support, making it particularly suitable for students who benefit from alternative educational settings.
The school's urban setting in Durham provides ample opportunities for community engagement and access to city resources. Whether through partnerships with local organizations or cultural events around the city, students have numerous ways to enrich their learning experiences beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 122 students, Durham's Performance Learning Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, Durham's Performance Learning Center offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Durham's Performance Learning Center — Students at Durham's Performance Learning Center score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.2/10.
How Durham's Performance Learning Center Compares
See how Durham's Performance Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 23.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 8.3% (2025).
Location
401 North Driver Street, Durham, NC 27703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Durham's Performance Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Durham School of the Arts (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Middle College HS @ DTCC (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J D Clement Early College HS (rated 4.5/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 0.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham | 0.7 mi | — |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 0.9 mi | 9.5 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham | 0.9 mi | — |
| Global Scholars Academy Durham | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| R N Harris Elementary Durham | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Reaching All Minds Academy Durham | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Durham School of the Arts Durham | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Merrick-Moore Elementary Durham | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| James E Shepard Middle Durham | 2.0 mi | 8.8 |
| QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF DURHAM Durham | 2.2 mi | — |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 2.0 mi | 8.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Durham's Performance Learning Center has a median household income of $86,953. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,500, with a median rent of $1,469/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva, NC | 6.0 |
| Roanoke Rapids Early College High Roanoke Rapids, NC | 6.0 |
| Wolfe School Monroe, NC | 6.0 |
| Alexander Early College Taylorsville, NC | 5.9 |
| LEE PARK PREPARATORY SCHOOL Monroe, NC | 6.1 |
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine, NC | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Durham's Performance Learning Center
What grades does Durham's Performance Learning Center serve?
Durham's Performance Learning Center serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Durham's Performance Learning Center?
Durham's Performance Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 122 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Durham's Performance Learning Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Durham's Performance Learning Center is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Durham's Performance Learning Center rank in NC?
Durham's Performance Learning Center is ranked #1595 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Durham's Performance Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Durham's Performance Learning Center has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Durham's Performance Learning Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Durham's Performance Learning Center has 16.2% math proficiency and 9.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Durham's Performance Learning Center a charter school?
No, Durham's Performance Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Durham's Performance Learning Center a Title I school?
No, Durham's Performance Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Durham's Performance Learning Center?
95.1% of students at Durham's Performance Learning Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,431/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Durham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 122
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 560-9190
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Durham Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 31,339
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,239
- District Rank
- #44 of 54
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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