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Very Good

#461 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 17% in state

Global Scholars Academy

Elementary School · Global Scholars Academy

311 Dowd St, Durham, NC 27701

Charter

Enrollment

202

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#461 of 2,648

In Durham

#17 of 68

public schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Global Scholars Academy

7.9/10

Elementary School in Durham · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Empowered Minds Academy

Nearby

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

Central Park School for Children

5.6/10

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

About Global Scholars Academy

Global Scholars Academy is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of Global Scholars Academy. Global Scholars Academy serves approximately 202 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Global Scholars Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #461 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Global Scholars Academy show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts above NC schools
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Global Scholars Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

34% of students at Global Scholars Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-20.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,801
Chronic Absenteeism34.2%

Global Scholars Academy — Students at Global Scholars Academy score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.4% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 35.7% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 38 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2012
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
38.2%
ELA
42.7%
2025
Math
44%
ELA
39.7%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Global Scholars Academy Compares

See how Global Scholars Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in NC
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

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

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 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is George Watts Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 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 5.6
Eastway Elementary Durham 0.8 mi 6.1
KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham 0.8 mi 6.9
Durham School of the Arts Durham 0.8 mi 8.7
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham 1.1 mi 6.2
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 1.3 mi 8.2
George Watts Elementary Durham 1.1 mi 8.9
IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham 1.2 mi 7.4
Durham Charter School Durham 1.2 mi 7.1
Maureen Joy Charter School Durham 1.4 mi 6.1
Burton Elementary Durham 1.5 mi 9.0
Morehead Montessori Durham 1.4 mi 8.8
Y E Smith Elementary Durham 1.5 mi 4.7
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham 1.7 mi 4.9
J D Clement Early College HS Durham 1.8 mi 7.5
Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham 1.9 mi 9.5
Brogden Middle Durham 1.9 mi 4.6
GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham 1.8 mi
R N Harris Elementary Durham 2.1 mi 5.4

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
ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville, NC 7.9
Brier Creek Elementary Thomasville, NC 7.9
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY Cary, NC 7.9
Fremont STARS Elementary Fremont, NC 7.9
Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC 7.9
Ansonville Elementary Wadesboro, NC 8.0

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 ranks #461 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Global Scholars Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Global Scholars Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Global Scholars Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Global Scholars Academy has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

District

Global Scholars Academy
District Enrollment
202
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,801
District Rank
#1 of 1

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