Very Good
#767 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 29% in state
Lakewood Elementary
Elementary School · Durham Public Schools
2520 Vesson Avenue, Durham, NC 27707
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#31 of 68
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#636 of 1,474
In district
#28 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Lakewood Elementary
Lakewood Elementary is a regular public school located in Durham, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 401 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child grow academically and socially. The campus is situated in a large city, offering diverse opportunities for learning and community engagement.
Lakewood Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10, placing it at the 40th percentile among North Carolina schools, with room for academic growth. Students have shown proficiency rates of 32% in ELA/Reading and 31% in Math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate areas where improvement is needed, the dedicated staff works tirelessly to enhance student performance and development.
The school’s setting within Durham allows students to benefit from a vibrant urban environment that supports educational enrichment through various community resources and programs.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Lakewood Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Lakewood Elementary — Students at Lakewood Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 8.3/10.
How Lakewood Elementary Compares
See how Lakewood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 37.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 37.6% (2025).
Location
2520 Vesson Avenue, Durham, NC 27707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lakewood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fayetteville Street Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham | 0.4 mi | 9.2 |
| INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham | 0.6 mi | — |
| Rogers-Herr Middle Durham | 0.7 mi | 8.9 |
| INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durham | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Hope Valley Elementary Durham | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| DURHAM ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL DIV Durham | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DURHAM Durham | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| LERNER JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Durham | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Community School of Digital & Visual Art Durham | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 1.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| DURHAM ACADEMY Durham | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Durham School of the Arts Durham | 2.1 mi | 7.9 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 2.0 mi | 4.5 |
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 Lakewood Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC | 7.4 |
| AL-IMAN SCHOOL Raleigh, NC | 7.4 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock, NC | 7.4 |
| CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 7.4 |
| Cumberland Road Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.4 |
| Denton Elementary Denton, NC | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lakewood Elementary
What grades does Lakewood Elementary serve?
Lakewood Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Lakewood Elementary?
Lakewood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 401 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakewood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Lakewood Elementary is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lakewood Elementary rank in NC?
Lakewood Elementary is ranked #767 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lakewood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Lakewood Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Lakewood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lakewood Elementary has 30.8% math proficiency and 32.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lakewood Elementary a charter school?
No, Lakewood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lakewood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Lakewood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lakewood Elementary?
99.3% of students at Lakewood Elementary 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
- 37 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 58 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 401
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 560-3939
- 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
- #28 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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