Below Average
#2215 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
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,334
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#58 of 68
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#383 of 579
In district
#48 of 54
Durham Public Schools
About Northern High
Northern High serves 1,334 students in grades 9-12 on North Roxboro Street in Durham, North Carolina. This regular public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 80 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a manageable learning environment within the large city setting. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth across core subjects.
Students demonstrate 40% proficiency in mathematics and 38% proficiency in English Language Arts, indicating opportunities for continued improvement. Northern High ranks among North Carolina's high schools at #1876 out of 2,661 statewide, placing it in the 30th percentile. The school serves a diverse community in the 27704 ZIP code area, where families have a median household income of $59,237 and median home values of $229,500.
About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This working-class neighborhood of over 41,000 residents provides a stable foundation for the school community. Northern High operates within Durham's dynamic urban environment, offering students access to the educational and cultural resources of one of North Carolina's major cities while serving families in this established north Durham neighborhood.
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: 55%).
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 6 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: 3.7/10.
How Northern High Compares
See how Northern High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 21.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 38.3% (2025).
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 9.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeview School (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Riverside High (rated 4.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.9 |
| Excelsior Classical Academy Durham | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Voyager Academy Durham | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| City of Medicine Academy Durham | 1.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Eno Valley Elementary Durham | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Sandy Ridge Elementary Durham | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Easley Elementary Durham | 1.8 mi | 9.1 |
| George L Carrington Middle Durham | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Lakeview School Durham | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham | 2.2 mi | — |
| Hillandale Elementary Durham | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Brogden Middle Durham | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Riverside High Durham | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Lucas Middle Durham | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Little River K-8 School Durham | 3.2 mi | 6.9 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham | 3.6 mi | 6.9 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
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 Northern High 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 |
|---|---|
| Bandys High Catawba, NC | 4.8 |
| Enka High Candler, NC | 4.8 |
| Jay M Robinson High Concord, NC | 4.8 |
| John M Morehead High Eden, NC | 4.8 |
| Jordan Matthews High Siler City, NC | 4.8 |
| Orange High Hillsborough, NC | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #2215 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Northern High's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern High has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Northern High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern High has 25.7% math proficiency and 35.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 35 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 31 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 30 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,431/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Durham). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 560-3956
- 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
- #48 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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