Average
#1300 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 49% in state
Neal Middle
Middle School · Durham Public Schools
201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27704
Enrollment
770
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
770
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#44 of 68
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#171 of 475
In district
#37 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Neal Middle
Neal Middle serves approximately 770 students in grades six through eight in Durham, North Carolina. Located at 201 Baptist Road in a large suburban area, the school has 57 full-time equivalent teachers and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5 to 1. The school is currently working to strengthen its academic performance.
In both English language arts and math, proficiency rates sit below state benchmarks, with 29% of students reading at proficient levels or above and 26% meeting proficiency standards in math across the grades served. These results indicate an area where Neal Middle is focusing on student development and instructional improvement. With its middle-sized enrollment and reasonable class ratios, Neal Middle has the capacity to provide individualized attention as it works toward academic growth.
The suburban setting provides a stable community context for the school's mission to serve young adolescents during their critical middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Neal Middle 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
View breakdown
Neal Middle — Students at Neal Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 7.2/10.
How Neal Middle Compares
See how Neal Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 32.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 32.7% (2025).
Location
201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Neal Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Oak Grove Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glenn Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Merrick-Moore Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 4.4 miles away), 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 | 9.3 |
| Spring Valley Elementary Durham | 2.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Durham | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| TUTORIAL -1/2 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Durham | 3.4 mi | — |
| BETHESDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Bethesda Elementary Durham | 4.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Reaching All Minds Academy Durham | 4.0 mi | 8.4 |
| THE FRANCISCAN SCHOOL Raleigh | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Merrick-Moore Elementary Durham | 4.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Glenn Elementary Durham | 4.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Sycamore Creek Elementary Raleigh | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Brier Creek Elementary Raleigh | 5.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Research Triangle Charter Durham | 4.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Pine Hollow Middle Raleigh | 5.5 mi | 5.3 |
| GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham | 4.8 mi | — |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 5.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 5.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 5.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary Morrisville | 6.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 5.5 mi | 7.7 |
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 Neal 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 |
|---|---|
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough, NC | 6.5 |
| Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill, NC | 6.5 |
| Heritage Middle Wake Forest, NC | 6.5 |
| Hope Middle Greenville, NC | 6.5 |
| Jamestown Middle Jamestown, NC | 6.5 |
| Koontz Intermediate Asheville, NC | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #1300 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Neal Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Neal Middle has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Neal Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Neal Middle has 25.9% math proficiency and 29.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 770
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 560-3955
- 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
- #37 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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