Below Average
#2159 of 2,648 schools in NC
Northern High
High School · Durham Public Schools
4622 N Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27704
Enrollment
1,334
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,334
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,159 of 2,648
In Durham
#59 of 68
public schools
In district
#49 of 54
Durham Public Schools
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Northern High
High School in Durham · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holt Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Excelsior Classical Academy
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northern High
Northern High is a public high school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. Northern High serves approximately 1,334 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,159 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Northern High show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
56% of students at Northern High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Northern High — Students at Northern High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How Northern High Compares
See how Northern High 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
4622 N Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northern High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. City of Medicine Academy (rated 9.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeview School (rated 5.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Riverside High (rated 5.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Holt Elementary Durham | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Excelsior Classical Academy Durham | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Voyager Academy Durham | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| City of Medicine Academy Durham | 1.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Eno Valley Elementary Durham | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Sandy Ridge Elementary Durham | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Easley Elementary Durham | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| George L Carrington Middle Durham | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Lakeview School Durham | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham | 2.2 mi | — |
| Hillandale Elementary Durham | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Brogden Middle Durham | 2.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Riverside High Durham | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Lucas Middle Durham | 3.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Little River K-8 School Durham | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham | 3.6 mi | 7.9 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham | 3.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 4.0 mi | 5.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Harnett Central High Angier, NC | 4.6 |
| North Brunswick High Leland, NC | 4.6 |
| North Pitt High Bethel, NC | 4.6 |
| Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Durham, NC | 4.6 |
| CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 4.5 |
| Fike High Wilson, NC | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northern High
What grades does Northern High serve?
Northern High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Northern High?
Northern High has an enrollment of approximately 1,334 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern High?
The student-teacher ratio at Northern High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northern High rank in NC?
Northern High ranks #2,159 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Northern High's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Northern High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern High has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Northern High a charter school?
No, Northern High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northern High a Title I school?
No, Northern High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern High?
64.1% of students at Northern High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,334
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 56.0%
- Phone
- (919) 560-3956
- 4-Year Graduation
- 85.0%
Resources & Links
District
Durham Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 31,339
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,239
- District Rank
- #49 of 54
Other Schools in This District
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