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Excellent

#91 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 3% in state

George Watts Elementary

Elementary School · Durham Public Schools

700 Watts Street, Durham, NC 27701

Enrollment

309

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#91 of 2,648

In Durham

#6 of 68

public schools

In district

#6 of 54

Durham Public Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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George Watts Elementary

8.9/10

Elementary School in Durham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Durham School of the Arts

8.7/10

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

Central Park School for Children

5.6/10

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

About George Watts Elementary

George Watts Elementary is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. George Watts Elementary serves approximately 309 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. George Watts Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #91 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for George Watts Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

George Watts Elementary — Students at George Watts Elementary score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 59.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (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
67%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
67.8%
ELA
71.2%
2025
Math
65%
ELA
66.1%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How George Watts Elementary Compares

See how George Watts Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in NC
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

Programs & Offerings

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

700 Watts Street, Durham, NC 27701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering George Watts Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burton Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Club Boulevard Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Durham School of the Arts Durham 0.4 mi 8.7
Central Park School For Children Durham 0.6 mi 5.6
IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham 0.7 mi 7.4
Durham Charter School Durham 0.8 mi 7.1
E K Powe Elementary Durham 0.7 mi 7.9
Brogden Middle Durham 1.1 mi 4.6
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 1.1 mi 8.2
Global Scholars Academy Durham 1.1 mi 7.9
Morehead Montessori Durham 1.4 mi 8.8
EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham 1.3 mi
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 1.6 mi
INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham 1.6 mi
Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham 1.9 mi 9.6
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham 2.1 mi 4.9
Eastway Elementary Durham 1.9 mi 6.1
City of Medicine Academy Durham 2.1 mi 9.1
KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham 1.9 mi 6.9
J D Clement Early College HS Durham 2.4 mi 7.5
Lakewood Elementary Durham 2.2 mi 6.0
Burton Elementary Durham 2.4 mi 9.0

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
Cool Spring Elementary Cleveland, NC 8.9
Hendersonville Elementary Hendersonville, NC 8.9
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill, NC 8.9
Rock Rest Elementary Monroe, NC 8.9
Rodgers Elementary Williamston, NC 8.9
Burton Elementary Durham, NC 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about George Watts Elementary

What grades does George Watts Elementary serve?

George Watts Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend George Watts Elementary?

George Watts Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at George Watts Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at George Watts Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does George Watts Elementary rank in NC?

George Watts Elementary ranks #91 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is George Watts Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

George Watts Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 George Watts Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, George Watts Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is George Watts Elementary a charter school?

No, George Watts Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is George Watts Elementary a Title I school?

No, George Watts Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for George Watts Elementary?

28.2% of students at George Watts Elementary 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
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
64 Good Transit
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Durham County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

District

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

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