Average
#1182 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 45% in state
R N Harris Elementary
Elementary School · Durham Public Schools
1520 Cooper Street, Durham, NC 27703
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#41 of 68
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#905 of 1,474
In district
#34 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About R N Harris Elementary
R N Harris Elementary is a public elementary school located in Durham, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 301 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.4:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at R N Harris Elementary places it in the 35th percentile among North Carolina schools, ranking as the 1732nd out of 2661 schools state-wide.
In terms of proficiency scores, 36% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. While there is room for academic growth, R N Harris Elementary offers a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers who aim to foster development across all grades. The school’s setting within Durham provides access to a range of community resources and cultural opportunities that can enhance the educational experience for students.
R N Harris Elementary stands as an integral part of its urban neighborhood in Durham, offering a nurturing space where young learners can grow academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
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R N Harris Elementary — Students at R N Harris Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
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: 6.4/10.
How R N Harris Elementary Compares
See how R N Harris Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 44.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 36.3% (2025).
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 9.5/10, 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, W G Pearson Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 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 | 7.7 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 0.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Maureen Joy Charter School Durham | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| James E Shepard Middle Durham | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Y E Smith Elementary Durham | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF DURHAM Durham | 1.1 mi | — |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Durham | 1.4 mi | — |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| KIPP Durham College Preparatory Durham | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY Durham | 1.8 mi | — |
| Hillside High Durham | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| W G Pearson Elementary Durham | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Durham School of Technology Durham | 1.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Global Scholars Academy Durham | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding R N Harris Elementary has a median household income of $86,953. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,500, with a median rent of $1,469/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Baileywick Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
| Community School of Digital & Visual Art Durham, NC | 6.7 |
| Copeland Elementary Dobson, NC | 6.7 |
| Lead Mine Elementary Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
| Lower Creek Elementary Lenoir, NC | 6.7 |
| Monroe Avenue Elementary Hamlet, NC | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #1182 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is R N Harris Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
R N Harris Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 R N Harris Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, R N Harris Elementary has 36.2% math proficiency and 36.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (919) 560-3967
- 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
- #34 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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