Excellent
#107 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 4% 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
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#10 of 68
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#4 of 475
In district
#10 of 54
Durham Public Schools
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About James E Shepard Middle
James E Shepard Middle is a public middle school in Durham, NC, part of the Durham Public Schools. The school serves approximately 400 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 41% proficiency in math, 13 points below the state average and 41% in reading/language arts, 12 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $72,432, where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
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: 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 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: 9.8/10.
How James E Shepard Middle Compares
See how James E Shepard Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 53.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 48.2% (2025).
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. Burton Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lakewood Montessori Middle (rated 9.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Durham School of Technology (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.2 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| W G Pearson Elementary Durham | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Hillside High Durham | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Durham School of Technology Durham | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| R N Harris Elementary Durham | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 1.2 mi | 9.5 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham | 2.1 mi | — |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Pearsontown Elementary Durham | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 2.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham | 2.1 mi | 9.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding James E Shepard Middle has a median household income of $72,432. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $371,500, with a median rent of $1,364/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville, NC | 8.7 |
| Pilot Mountain Middle Pilot Mountain, NC | 8.7 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC | 8.6 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC | 8.6 |
| Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham, NC | 9.2 |
| Sedgefield Middle Charlotte, NC | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #107 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is James E Shepard Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
James E Shepard Middle has a composite rating of 8.8 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 James E Shepard Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James E Shepard Middle has 41.1% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 44 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 39 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 50 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
- 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
- Phone
- (919) 560-3938
- 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
- #10 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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