Average
#1116 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 42% in state
Kestrel Heights School
Elementary School · Kestrel Heights School
4700 South Alston Ave., Durham, NC 27713
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#36 of 68
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#867 of 1,474
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Kestrel Heights School
Kestrel Heights School is a charter school located in Durham, North Carolina, specifically at 4700 South Alston Avenue. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 440 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. Kestrel Heights focuses on providing a solid foundation for young learners in a large city setting.
The school’s academic performance is at the 37th percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating there's room for improvement and growth. On standardized tests, 47% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 41% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores suggest that Kestrel Heights is working diligently to enhance its educational offerings.
Kestrel Heights School sits in a vibrant part of Durham, offering students opportunities beyond the classroom through connections with local community resources and cultural activities.
What Parents Should Know
Kestrel Heights School 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
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Kestrel Heights School — Students at Kestrel Heights School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
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: 7.7/10.
How Kestrel Heights School Compares
See how Kestrel Heights School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 43.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49% (2025).
Location
4700 South Alston Ave., Durham, NC 27713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kestrel Heights School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southwest Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hortons Creek Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Cary), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lyons Farm Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lowe's Grove Middle Durham | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| NC Virtual Academy Durham | 1.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Parkwood Elementary Durham | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| North Carolina Cyber Academy Durham | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| The Institute Development Young Leaders Durham | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Pearsontown Elementary Durham | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Alston Ridge Elementary Cary | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Lyons Farm Elementary Durham | 2.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Alston Ridge Middle Cary | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Southwest Elementary Durham | 2.8 mi | 9.2 |
| SOUTHPOINT ACADEMY Durham | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Research Triangle Charter Durham | 3.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Durham School of Technology Durham | 3.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Hillside High Durham | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Hortons Creek Elementary Cary | 4.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Parkside Elementary Morrisville | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| W G Pearson Elementary Durham | 4.3 mi | 8.3 |
| THE STUDIO SCHOOL OF DURHAM Durham | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF DURHAM Durham | 4.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,900
Median Home Value
$380,500
Median Rent
$1,460/mo
Population
58,409
College Educated
65.2%
Homeownership
59.3%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kestrel Heights School has a median household income of $96,900. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $380,500, with a median rent of $1,460/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Archer Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.8 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC | 6.8 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway, NC | 6.8 |
| Chantilly Montessori Charlotte, NC | 6.8 |
| Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.8 |
| Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kestrel Heights School
What grades does Kestrel Heights School serve?
Kestrel Heights School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Kestrel Heights School?
Kestrel Heights School has an enrollment of approximately 440 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kestrel Heights School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kestrel Heights School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kestrel Heights School rank in NC?
Kestrel Heights School is ranked #1116 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Kestrel Heights School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kestrel Heights School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Kestrel Heights School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kestrel Heights School has 40.6% math proficiency and 47.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kestrel Heights School a charter school?
Yes, Kestrel Heights School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Kestrel Heights School a Title I school?
No, Kestrel Heights School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kestrel Heights School?
53.9% of students at Kestrel Heights School 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
- City Safety
- High (4,431/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Durham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 440
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 484-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kestrel Heights School- District Enrollment
- 440
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,698
- 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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