Average
#1712 of 2,648 schools in NC
Neal Middle
Middle School · Durham Public Schools
201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27704
Enrollment
770
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
770
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,712 of 2,648
In Durham
#45 of 68
public schools
In district
#37 of 54
Durham Public Schools
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Neal Middle
Middle School in Durham · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Oak Grove Elementary
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Spring Valley Elementary
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Neal Middle
Neal Middle is a public middle school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. Neal Middle serves approximately 770 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Neal Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,712 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Neal Middle show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Neal Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
47% of students at Neal 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Neal Middle — Students at Neal Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Neal Middle Compares
See how Neal Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Neal Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Middle College HS @ DTCC (rated 9.5/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Reaching All Minds Academy (rated 8.3/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sycamore Creek Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Grove Elementary Durham | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Spring Valley Elementary Durham | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Durham | 3.1 mi | 4.6 |
| TUTORIAL -1/2 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Durham | 3.4 mi | — |
| BETHESDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Bethesda Elementary Durham | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Reaching All Minds Academy Durham | 4.0 mi | 8.3 |
| THE FRANCISCAN SCHOOL Raleigh | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Merrick-Moore Elementary Durham | 4.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Glenn Elementary Durham | 4.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Sycamore Creek Elementary Raleigh | 4.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Brier Creek Elementary Raleigh | 5.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Research Triangle Charter Durham | 4.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Pine Hollow Middle Raleigh | 5.5 mi | 7.7 |
| GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham | 4.8 mi | — |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 5.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 5.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary Morrisville | 6.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 5.5 mi | 9.5 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Middle Garner, NC | 5.6 |
| East Rutherford Middle School Bostic, NC | 5.6 |
| Littlefield Middle Lumberton, NC | 5.6 |
| Moyock Middle Moyock, NC | 5.6 |
| North Johnston Middle Micro, NC | 5.6 |
| Northeastern Randolph Middle School Liberty, NC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Neal Middle
What grades does Neal Middle serve?
Neal Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Neal Middle?
Neal Middle has an enrollment of approximately 770 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Neal Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Neal Middle is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Neal Middle rank in NC?
Neal Middle ranks #1,712 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Neal Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Neal Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Neal Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Neal Middle has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Neal Middle a charter school?
No, Neal Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Neal Middle a Title I school?
No, Neal Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Neal Middle?
99.6% of students at Neal 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 770
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Durham County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.9%
- Phone
- (919) 560-3955
Resources & Links
District
Durham Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 31,339
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,239
- District Rank
- #37 of 54
Other Schools in This District
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