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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency8.3%
Math vs. State Avg-32.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-45.3 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-30.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,937

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.2%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 9.4%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
10%
2025
Math
23.5%
ELA
8.3%

* 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: 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.

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in NC
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Durham Public Schools
District Enrollment
31,339
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,239
District Rank
#44 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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