Excellent
#22 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Lakewood Montessori Middle
Middle School · Durham Public Schools
2119 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
9.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
9.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#4 of 68
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#1 of 475
In district
#4 of 54
Durham Public Schools
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Lakewood Montessori Middle
Lakewood Montessori Middle is a regular public school in Durham, North Carolina, serving 303 students in grades 6 through 8. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.5 academic score and a 9.3 growth score. Both marks land near the ceiling of what public schools in North Carolina produce.
The statewide rankings put the scores in perspective. Lakewood Montessori Middle places first among all 475 public middle schools in North Carolina. Overall, it ranks 22nd out of 2,648 public schools across every grade level — outperforming 99% of the state.
Within Durham, the school holds 4th place among 68 public schools. A student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 gives teachers room for the individualized instruction the Montessori model depends on. The 9.3 growth score reinforces the academic score: students here advance faster than expected given where they start, not simply because they arrive with advantages.
For families evaluating middle school options in Durham or across North Carolina, this school sits at the top of a very short list.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Lakewood Montessori Middle — Students at Lakewood Montessori Middle score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.7%
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: 9.3/10.
How Lakewood Montessori Middle Compares
See how Lakewood Montessori Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 85.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 82.4% (2025).
Location
2119 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lakewood Montessori Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rogers-Herr Middle (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Durham Charter School (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham | 0.3 mi | — |
| Lakewood Elementary Durham | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Rogers-Herr Middle Durham | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Durham Charter School Durham | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durham | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Hope Valley Elementary Durham | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Durham | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| DURHAM ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL DIV Durham | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DURHAM Durham | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| LERNER JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Durham | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Community School of Digital & Visual Art Durham | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Durham School of the Arts Durham | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| W G Pearson Elementary Durham | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
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 Montessori 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 |
|---|---|
| James E Shepard Middle Durham, NC | 8.8 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville, NC | 8.7 |
| Pilot Mountain Middle Pilot Mountain, NC | 8.7 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC | 8.6 |
| Piney Grove Middle School Lawsonville, NC | 8.6 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC | 8.6 |
Compare Lakewood Montessori 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 Lakewood Montessori Middle
What grades does Lakewood Montessori Middle serve?
Lakewood Montessori Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Lakewood Montessori Middle?
Lakewood Montessori Middle has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakewood Montessori Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Lakewood Montessori Middle is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lakewood Montessori Middle rank in NC?
Lakewood Montessori Middle is ranked #22 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lakewood Montessori Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Lakewood Montessori Middle has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Montessori Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lakewood Montessori Middle has 76.0% math proficiency and 77.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lakewood Montessori Middle a charter school?
No, Lakewood Montessori Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lakewood Montessori Middle a Title I school?
No, Lakewood Montessori Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lakewood Montessori Middle?
27.7% of students at Lakewood Montessori 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
- 75 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 57 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
- 303
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 560-2894
- 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
- #4 of 54
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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