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Average

#1231 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 47% in state

Lucas Middle

Middle School · Durham Public Schools

923 Snow Hill Road, Durham, NC 27704

Enrollment

413

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durham

#43 of 68

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#157 of 475

In district

#36 of 54

Durham Public Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Lucas Middle

Lucas Middle in Durham, North Carolina is a regular public middle school serving grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 413 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment. Located in a rural area near a town on Snow Hill Road, Lucas Middle has 32 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting its diverse student body.

Academically, Lucas Middle holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks at #1771 among 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 34th percentile. The academic score is 3.0/10, with 40% proficiency or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, and 32% proficient or above in math. While these numbers indicate room for growth, they also reflect a school focused on development and improvement.

Lucas Middle sits in a setting that blends the tranquility of rural life with nearby town amenities, offering students a unique environment to grow and learn.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Lucas Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.2%
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,937

Lucas Middle — Students at Lucas Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.9%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 39.9%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
30%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
36%
ELA
44.1%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Lucas Middle Compares

See how Lucas Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in NC
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

923 Snow Hill Road, Durham, NC 27704

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lucas Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. George L Carrington Middle (rated 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Brogden Middle (rated 6.1/10, 6.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Discovery Charter (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Discovery Charter Durham 1.4 mi 5.5
Little River K-8 School Durham 1.5 mi 6.9
Eno Valley Elementary Durham 2.2 mi 7.9
George L Carrington Middle Durham 2.3 mi 6.8
Northern High Durham 3.4 mi 4.8
Easley Elementary Durham 3.2 mi 9.1
Sandy Ridge Elementary Durham 3.7 mi 7.9
Holt Elementary Durham 3.8 mi 7.9
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham 3.9 mi 7.3
Mangum Elementary Bahama 4.2 mi 8.2
Excelsior Classical Academy Durham 4.4 mi 4.0
Voyager Academy Durham 4.4 mi 6.2
Lakeview School Durham 5.0 mi 5.8
City of Medicine Academy Durham 5.0 mi 9.0
The School for Creative Studies Durham 4.4 mi 5.9
Hillandale Elementary Durham 4.7 mi 6.0
Riverside High Durham 4.6 mi 4.2
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 5.6 mi
Brogden Middle Durham 6.0 mi 6.1
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 6.3 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,435

Median Home Value

$270,000

Median Rent

$1,306/mo

Population

41,346

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

58.1%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lucas Middle has a median household income of $62,435. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,000, with a median rent of $1,306/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Havelock Middle Havelock, NC 6.6
J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy, NC 6.6
Nash Central Middle Nashville, NC 6.6
Polk County Middle School Mill Spring, NC 6.6
Riverside Middle Williamston, NC 6.6
Dunn Middle Dunn, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lucas Middle

What grades does Lucas Middle serve?

Lucas Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lucas Middle?

Lucas Middle has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lucas Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Lucas Middle is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lucas Middle rank in NC?

Lucas Middle is ranked #1231 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Lucas Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Lucas Middle has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Lucas Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lucas Middle has 31.9% math proficiency and 39.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lucas Middle a charter school?

No, Lucas Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lucas Middle a Title I school?

No, Lucas Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lucas Middle?

99.3% of students at Lucas 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Durham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Durham Public Schools
District Enrollment
31,339
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,239
District Rank
#36 of 54

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 methodology

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