Very Good
#650 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 25% in state
James E Shepard Middle
Middle School · Durham Public Schools
2401 Dakota Street, Durham, NC 27707
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#650 of 2,648
In Durham
#23 of 68
public schools
In district
#20 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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James E Shepard Middle
Middle School in Durham · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lakewood Montessori Middle
Durham, NC. Compare side by side with James E Shepard Middle before ruling this option in or out.
Quality Education Institute of Durham
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James E Shepard Middle
James E Shepard Middle is a public middle school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. James E Shepard Middle serves approximately 400 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. James E Shepard Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #650 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for James E Shepard Middle show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 5.7
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James E Shepard Middle — Students at James E Shepard Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.1/10.
How James E Shepard Middle Compares
See how James E Shepard Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2401 Dakota Street, Durham, NC 27707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James E Shepard Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lakewood Montessori Middle (rated 9.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Middle College HS @ DTCC (rated 9.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Durham School of Technology (rated 9.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF DURHAM Durham | 0.2 mi | — |
| Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| W G Pearson Elementary Durham | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Hillside High Durham | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Durham School of Technology Durham | 0.9 mi | 9.3 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| R N Harris Elementary Durham | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 1.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 1.3 mi | 9.5 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham | 2.1 mi | — |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Pearsontown Elementary Durham | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham | 2.1 mi | 9.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,432
Median Home Value
$371,500
Median Rent
$1,364/mo
Population
50,865
College Educated
56.9%
Homeownership
47.2%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
35
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cane Creek Middle Fletcher, NC | 7.6 |
| Polk County Middle School Mill Spring, NC | 7.6 |
| Springfield Middle Lucama, NC | 7.6 |
| William Ellis Middle Advance, NC | 7.6 |
| George M. Horton Middle Pittsboro, NC | 7.5 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese, NC | 7.5 |
Compare James E Shepard Middle with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James E Shepard Middle
What grades does James E Shepard Middle serve?
James E Shepard Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend James E Shepard Middle?
James E Shepard Middle has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James E Shepard Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at James E Shepard Middle is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James E Shepard Middle rank in NC?
James E Shepard Middle ranks #650 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is James E Shepard Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
James E Shepard Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 James E Shepard Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James E Shepard Middle has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is James E Shepard Middle a charter school?
No, James E Shepard Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James E Shepard Middle a Title I school?
No, James E Shepard Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James E Shepard Middle?
98.0% of students at James E Shepard Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 400
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.0%
- Phone
- (919) 560-3938
Resources & Links
District
Durham Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 31,339
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,239
- District Rank
- #20 of 54
Other Schools in This District
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