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Average

#1801 of 2,648 schools in NC

R N Harris Elementary

Elementary School · Durham Public Schools

1520 Cooper Street, Durham, NC 27703

Enrollment

301

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,801 of 2,648

In Durham

#51 of 68

public schools

In district

#43 of 54

Durham Public Schools

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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R N Harris Elementary

5.4/10

Elementary School in Durham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Middle College HS @ Dtcc

9.5/10

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

Burton Elementary

9.0/10

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

About R N Harris Elementary

R N Harris Elementary is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. R N Harris Elementary serves approximately 301 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. R N Harris Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,801 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for R N Harris Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at R N Harris Elementary 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 Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.3 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism33.2%

R N Harris Elementary — Students at R N Harris Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 41.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
53.3%
ELA
44.7%
2025
Math
44.5%
ELA
36.1%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How R N Harris Elementary Compares

See how R N Harris Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
32th percentile in NC
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

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

1520 Cooper Street, Durham, NC 27703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering R N Harris Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burton Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Global Scholars Academy (rated 7.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham 0.3 mi 9.5
Burton Elementary Durham 0.6 mi 9.0
Maureen Joy Charter School Durham 1.0 mi 6.1
James E Shepard Middle Durham 1.0 mi 7.6
J D Clement Early College HS Durham 1.0 mi 7.5
Y E Smith Elementary Durham 1.2 mi 4.7
QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF DURHAM Durham 1.1 mi
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham 1.3 mi 6.2
Eastway Elementary Durham 1.4 mi 6.1
Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham 1.3 mi 5.6
GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham 1.4 mi
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham 1.3 mi 4.9
KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham 1.6 mi 6.9
EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham 1.8 mi
Hillside High Durham 1.7 mi 5.5
FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham 1.5 mi 6.9
W G Pearson Elementary Durham 1.6 mi 7.2
Durham School of Technology Durham 1.7 mi 9.3
Global Scholars Academy Durham 2.1 mi 7.9
Morehead Montessori Durham 2.1 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,953

Median Home Value

$340,500

Median Rent

$1,469/mo

Population

62,994

College Educated

45.1%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

35.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bethel Elementary Bethel, NC 5.4
Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain, NC 5.4
Dillard Academy Goldsboro, NC 5.4
Dublin Primary Dublin, NC 5.4
E M Rollins Elementary Henderson, NC 5.4
Little River K-8 School Durham, NC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about R N Harris Elementary

What grades does R N Harris Elementary serve?

R N Harris Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend R N Harris Elementary?

R N Harris Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 301 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at R N Harris Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at R N Harris Elementary is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does R N Harris Elementary rank in NC?

R N Harris Elementary ranks #1,801 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is R N Harris Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

R N Harris Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 R N Harris Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, R N Harris Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is R N Harris Elementary a charter school?

No, R N Harris Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is R N Harris Elementary a Title I school?

No, R N Harris Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for R N Harris Elementary?

99.0% of students at R N Harris Elementary 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
29 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Durham County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

District

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

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