Very Good
#700 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 26% in state
Global Scholars Academy
Elementary School · Global Scholars Academy
311 Dowd St, Durham, NC 27701
Enrollment
202
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
202
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#30 of 68
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#593 of 1,474
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Global Scholars Academy
Global Scholars Academy is a charter school located in Durham, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, the academy offers a comprehensive education program within its bustling city setting. With an enrollment of 202 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, Global Scholars Academy aims to provide personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
Despite having a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranking in the 40th percentile among North Carolina schools, Global Scholars Academy is committed to continuous improvement and student development. The school has made efforts to enhance its academic offerings, with an ELA proficiency rate of 37% and a math proficiency rate of 39%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on growth to better support its students.
Global Scholars Academy is situated in the heart of Durham, offering easy access for families within this large city community. The school's urban location provides numerous opportunities for enrichment and engagement with the broader educational landscape of North Carolina’s third-largest city.
What Parents Should Know
Global Scholars Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Global Scholars Academy — Students at Global Scholars Academy score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 8.1/10.
How Global Scholars Academy Compares
See how Global Scholars Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 42.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2025).
Location
311 Dowd St, Durham, NC 27701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Global Scholars Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burton Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.5 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, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham | 0.4 mi | — |
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Durham School of the Arts Durham | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 1.5 mi | 9.5 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 1.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Brogden Middle Durham | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham | 1.8 mi | — |
| R N Harris Elementary Durham | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
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 Global Scholars Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| E O Young Jr Elementary Henderson, NC | 7.5 |
| Erwin Montessori Greensboro, NC | 7.5 |
| Fall Creek Elementary East Bend, NC | 7.5 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY High Point, NC | 7.5 |
| J W Seabrook Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.5 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Global Scholars Academy
What grades does Global Scholars Academy serve?
Global Scholars Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Global Scholars Academy?
Global Scholars Academy has an enrollment of approximately 202 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Global Scholars Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Global Scholars Academy 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 Global Scholars Academy rank in NC?
Global Scholars Academy is ranked #700 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Global Scholars Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Global Scholars Academy has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Global Scholars Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Global Scholars Academy has 39.1% math proficiency and 37.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Global Scholars Academy a charter school?
Yes, Global Scholars Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Global Scholars Academy a Title I school?
No, Global Scholars Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Global Scholars Academy?
98.0% of students at Global Scholars Academy 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
- 76 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 46 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 56 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
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 202
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 682-5903
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Global Scholars Academy- District Enrollment
- 202
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,801
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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