Very Good
#603 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 23% in state
George Watts Elementary
Elementary School · Durham Public Schools
700 Watts Street, Durham, NC 27701
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#28 of 68
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#520 of 1,474
In district
#26 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About George Watts Elementary
George Watts Elementary serves 309 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Durham, North Carolina. With 26 full-time teachers, the school maintains a favorable 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 80th percentile among North Carolina elementary schools at #529 out of 2661 statewide.
Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 66% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 65% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. Located at 700 Watts Street, George Watts Elementary sits in a diverse urban neighborhood where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education. The surrounding 27701 ZIP code area has a median household income of $61,475 and median home values of $414,100, though the community also includes families facing economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 21.9%.
George Watts Elementary operates as part of Durham's large city school system, serving families in an established neighborhood that balances educational opportunity with the vibrancy and diversity typical of urban Durham communities.
Score Breakdown
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George Watts Elementary — Students at George Watts Elementary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How George Watts Elementary Compares
See how George Watts Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 65.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 66% (2025).
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 9.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Club Boulevard Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.9 |
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Brogden Middle Durham | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Global Scholars Academy Durham | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 9.2 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| City of Medicine Academy Durham | 2.1 mi | 9.0 |
| KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Lakewood Elementary Durham | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 2.4 mi | 9.5 |
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 George Watts Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte, NC | 7.7 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.7 |
| E M Yoder Elementary Mebane, NC | 7.7 |
| Harmony Elementary Harmony, NC | 7.7 |
| J T Barber Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.7 |
| Louisburg Elementary Louisburg, NC | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #603 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is George Watts Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
George Watts Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 George Watts Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, George Watts Elementary has 61.5% math proficiency and 64.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 72 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 64 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 77 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,431/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Durham). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 560-3947
- 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
- #26 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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