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Very Good

#533 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 20% 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

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#533 of 2,648

In Durham

#21 of 68

public schools

In district

#18 of 54

Durham Public Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Sandy Ridge Elementary

7.8/10

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

Lakeview School

5.6/10

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

Voyager Academy

8.0/10

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

About Sandy Ridge Elementary

Sandy Ridge Elementary is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. Sandy Ridge Elementary serves approximately 477 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Sandy Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #533 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Sandy Ridge Elementary show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism28.5%

Sandy Ridge Elementary — Students at Sandy Ridge Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.3% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 38.1% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 32 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
79%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
35%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
30%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
48.3%
ELA
40.3%
2025
Math
49.3%
ELA
45.4%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Sandy Ridge Elementary Compares

See how Sandy Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
80th percentile in NC
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.5%

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

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 8.7/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Club Boulevard Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Global Scholars Academy (rated 7.9/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 5.6
Voyager Academy Durham 1.6 mi 8.0
Northern High Durham 1.6 mi 4.6
Excelsior Classical Academy Durham 1.8 mi 4.4
Holt Elementary Durham 1.9 mi 5.9
City of Medicine Academy Durham 2.2 mi 9.1
Little River K-8 School Durham 2.9 mi 5.4
Glenn Elementary Durham 2.7 mi 7.8
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 3.0 mi 8.2
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 2.8 mi
Eno Valley Elementary Durham 3.0 mi 6.1
Brogden Middle Durham 3.1 mi 4.6
The School for Creative Studies Durham 2.9 mi 7.3
Lucas Middle Durham 3.7 mi 7.1
George L Carrington Middle Durham 3.3 mi 5.4
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham 3.1 mi 7.3
Merrick-Moore Elementary Durham 3.8 mi 7.3
Easley Elementary Durham 3.3 mi 8.7
Central Park School For Children Durham 4.0 mi 5.6
Global Scholars Academy Durham 4.1 mi 7.9

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
A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC 7.8
Brush Creek Elementary Marshall, NC 7.8
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC 7.8
Dobson Elementary Dobson, NC 7.8
Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC 7.8
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City, NC 7.8

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 ranks #533 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sandy Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandy Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Sandy Ridge Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sandy Ridge Elementary has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.5%

District

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

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