Very Good
#750 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 28% in state
The School for Creative Studies
High School · Durham Public Schools
5001 Red Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27704
Enrollment
438
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
438
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#29 of 68
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#189 of 579
In district
#26 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About The School for Creative Studies
The School for Creative Studies is a regular public high school located in the rural outskirts of Durham, North Carolina. Spanning grades six through twelve, this school enrolls 438 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, ensuring that each learner receives personalized attention from its dedicated staff of 39 full-time equivalent teachers. While The School for Creative Studies may not excel in state rankings—holding a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranking at #1634 among North Carolina's schools—the school focuses on fostering creativity, individual development, and community engagement.
In academic performance, the ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 45%, with math proficiency reaching 39%. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to improve while emphasizing holistic growth. Set in a rural setting near a town, The School for Creative Studies provides students with a unique blend of natural surroundings and access to urban amenities.
This location offers a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal exploration.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, The School for Creative Studies may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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The School for Creative Studies — Students at The School for Creative Studies score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How The School for Creative Studies Compares
See how The School for Creative Studies performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2009) to 46.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2009) to 45.4% (2025).
Location
5001 Red Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The School for Creative Studies may also want to explore other high schools in the area. City of Medicine Academy (rated 9.0/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi (rated 4.5/10, 5.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Northern High (rated 4.5/10, 4.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn Elementary Durham | 3.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Little River K-8 School Durham | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Sandy Ridge Elementary Durham | 2.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Lakeview School Durham | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Durham | 5.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Merrick-Moore Elementary Durham | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Lucas Middle Durham | 4.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Northern High Durham | 4.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Voyager Academy Durham | 4.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Excelsior Classical Academy Durham | 4.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Holt Elementary Durham | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| City of Medicine Academy Durham | 5.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Discovery Charter Durham | 5.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Reaching All Minds Academy Durham | 5.9 mi | 8.3 |
| TUTORIAL -1/2 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Durham | 6.1 mi | — |
| Eno Valley Elementary Durham | 5.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham | 5.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Butner-Stem Elementary Butner | 5.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Durham | 6.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Falls Lake Academy Creedmoor | 5.6 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 The School for Creative Studies 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 |
|---|---|
| CHRIST SCHOOL Arden, NC | 7.4 |
| SAINT MARY'S SCHOOL Raleigh, NC | 7.4 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne, NC | 7.4 |
| Wake Early College of Health and Science Raleigh, NC | 7.4 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham, NC | 7.5 |
| Longleaf School of the Arts Raleigh, NC | 7.5 |
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 is ranked #750 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is The School for Creative Studies's MySchoolScout rating?
The School for Creative Studies has a composite rating of 7.4 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 The School for Creative Studies?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The School for Creative Studies has 37.1% math proficiency and 42.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 438
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Durham County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 8.7%
- Phone
- (919) 560-3535
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- 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
- #26 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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