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Very Good

#899 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 34% in state

Lucas Middle

Middle School · Durham Public Schools

923 Snow Hill Road, Durham, NC 27704

Enrollment

413

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#899 of 2,648

In Durham

#31 of 68

public schools

In district

#27 of 54

Durham Public Schools

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Lucas Middle

7.1/10

Middle School in Durham · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Discovery Charter

7.9/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Little River K-8 School

5.4/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Lucas Middle

Lucas Middle is a public middle school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. Lucas Middle serves approximately 413 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Lucas Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #899 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Lucas Middle show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Lucas Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

47% of students at Lucas Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change+0.31 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism47.2%

Lucas Middle — Students at Lucas Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 28.3% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 35.5% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 30 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2012
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
28%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
28.5%
ELA
35.3%
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: 9.3/10.

How Lucas Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in NC
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Discovery Charter (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is George L Carrington Middle (rated 5.4/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Brogden Middle (rated 4.6/10, 6.0 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 7.9
Little River K-8 School Durham 1.5 mi 5.4
Eno Valley Elementary Durham 2.2 mi 6.1
George L Carrington Middle Durham 2.3 mi 5.4
Northern High Durham 3.4 mi 4.6
Easley Elementary Durham 3.2 mi 8.7
Sandy Ridge Elementary Durham 3.7 mi 7.8
Holt Elementary Durham 3.8 mi 5.9
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham 3.9 mi 7.3
Mangum Elementary Bahama 4.2 mi 8.8
Excelsior Classical Academy Durham 4.4 mi 4.4
Voyager Academy Durham 4.4 mi 8.0
Lakeview School Durham 5.0 mi 5.6
City of Medicine Academy Durham 5.0 mi 9.1
The School for Creative Studies Durham 4.4 mi 7.3
Hillandale Elementary Durham 4.7 mi 3.8
Riverside High Durham 4.6 mi 5.5
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 5.6 mi
Brogden Middle Durham 6.0 mi 4.6
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Grover C Fields Middle New Bern, NC 7.1
Southern Middle Roxboro, NC 7.1
Central Middle Whiteville, NC 7.0
Pamlico County Middle Bayboro, NC 7.0
East Alexander Middle Hiddenite, NC 7.2
Elm City Middle Elm City, NC 7.2

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 ranks #899 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Lucas Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Lucas Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Lucas Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lucas Middle has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.2%

District

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

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