Very Good
#797 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 30% in state
The School for Creative Studies
High School · Durham Public Schools · Durham, NC
A Durham Public Schools high school where students score 12 points below what's typical for similar communities.
5001 Red Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27704
- Math 46% vs NC 54% (2025)
- Reading 45% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 92.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at The School for Creative Studies score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 10 points since 2020, reaching 45% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 37% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 42% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
61.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where The School for Creative Studies sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 5Car-Dependent
- Bike 24Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,431/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Durham), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$62,435
Median home value
$270,000
Median rent
$1,306/mo
College educated
33.2%
Homeownership
58.1%
Poverty rate
13.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 27704; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeview SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.6 | 6–12 | 3.9 mi | 70 | Compare → |
| Northern HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.6 | 9–12 | 4.3 mi | 1,334 | Compare → |
| Voyager AcademyCharter · enrollment unverified | 8.0 | K–12 | 4.5 mi | 1,363 | Compare → |
| Excelsior Classical AcademyCharter · enrollment unverified | 4.4 | K–12 | 4.6 mi | 1,029 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Durham Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 56
- Rank in district
- #23 of 54
- District spending per student
- $15,239NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 14.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
The School for Creative Studies is listed in Durham Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About The School for Creative Studies
The School for Creative Studies is a public high school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools, serving approximately 438 students in grades 6th-12th with a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #797 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about The School for Creative Studies
What grades does The School for Creative Studies serve?
The School for Creative Studies serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend The School for Creative Studies?
The School for Creative Studies has an enrollment of approximately 438 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The School for Creative Studies?
The student-teacher ratio at The School for Creative Studies is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The School for Creative Studies rank in NC?
The School for Creative Studies ranks #797 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is The School for Creative Studies's MySchoolScout rating?
The School for Creative Studies has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 The School for Creative Studies?
Based on loaded state assessment records, The School for Creative Studies has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is The School for Creative Studies a charter school?
No, The School for Creative Studies is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is The School for Creative Studies a Title I school?
No, The School for Creative Studies is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The School for Creative Studies?
61.2% of students at The School for Creative Studies qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 438
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Durham County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.9%
- Phone
- (919) 560-3535
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Area population (ZIP 27704)
- 41,346
- Area average commute
- 25 min
- Area median age
- 35.8
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 27704; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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