Very Good
#486 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 18% in state
Sandy Ridge Elementary
Elementary School · Durham Public Schools
1417 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, NC 27704
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#26 of 68
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#433 of 1,474
In district
#25 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Sandy Ridge Elementary
Sandy Ridge Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Durham, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 477 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Sandy Ridge provides a supportive learning environment for its young scholars.
The academic performance at Sandy Ridge Elementary reflects areas where the school is focusing on growth. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school has earned a score of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks as the 1236th best school in North Carolina among 2661 schools. In terms of academic achievement, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 40% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Sandy Ridge Elementary is situated within a large city, providing students with access to diverse resources and community activities. Despite the current performance metrics, the school continues to work towards enhancing educational outcomes for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Sandy Ridge Elementary — Students at Sandy Ridge Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.1%
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: 8.6/10.
How Sandy Ridge Elementary Compares
See how Sandy Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 49.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 44.6% (2025).
Location
1417 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, NC 27704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sandy Ridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Easley Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glenn Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Merrick-Moore Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeview School Durham | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Voyager Academy Durham | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Northern High Durham | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Excelsior Classical Academy Durham | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Holt Elementary Durham | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| City of Medicine Academy Durham | 2.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Little River K-8 School Durham | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Glenn Elementary Durham | 2.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham | 2.8 mi | — |
| Eno Valley Elementary Durham | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Brogden Middle Durham | 3.1 mi | 6.1 |
| The School for Creative Studies Durham | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Lucas Middle Durham | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| George L Carrington Middle Durham | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Merrick-Moore Elementary Durham | 3.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Easley Elementary Durham | 3.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Central Park School For Children Durham | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Global Scholars Academy Durham | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
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 Sandy Ridge Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaverdam Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro, NC | 7.9 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough, NC | 7.9 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sandy Ridge Elementary
What grades does Sandy Ridge Elementary serve?
Sandy Ridge Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sandy Ridge Elementary?
Sandy Ridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandy Ridge Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sandy Ridge Elementary is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sandy Ridge Elementary rank in NC?
Sandy Ridge Elementary is ranked #486 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Sandy Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sandy Ridge Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Sandy Ridge Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandy Ridge Elementary has 40.4% math proficiency and 40.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sandy Ridge Elementary a charter school?
No, Sandy Ridge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sandy Ridge Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sandy Ridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandy Ridge Elementary?
72.1% of students at Sandy Ridge 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
- Walk Score
- 10 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 20 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 26 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 477
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 560-2695
- 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
- #25 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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