Excellent
#287 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% in state
W G Pearson Elementary
Elementary School · Durham Public Schools
3501 Fayettville Street, Durham, NC 27707
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durham
#18 of 68
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#259 of 1,474
In district
#16 of 54
Durham Public Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About W G Pearson Elementary
W G Pearson Elementary is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of the Durham Public Schools. The school serves approximately 348 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89.2th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 34% proficiency in math, 25 points below the state average and 35% in reading/language arts, 18 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $72,432, where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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W G Pearson Elementary — Students at W G Pearson Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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: 9.4/10.
How W G Pearson Elementary Compares
See how W G Pearson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 44.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 41.5% (2025).
Location
3501 Fayettville Street, Durham, NC 27707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W G Pearson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burton Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southwest Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FAITH ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Durham | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Hillside High Durham | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham | 0.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Durham School of Technology Durham | 0.5 mi | 8.9 |
| QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF DURHAM Durham | 0.5 mi | — |
| James E Shepard Middle Durham | 0.7 mi | 8.8 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Pearsontown Elementary Durham | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| R N Harris Elementary Durham | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Burton Elementary Durham | 1.8 mi | 9.5 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham | 2.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Rogers-Herr Middle Durham | 1.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Hope Valley Elementary Durham | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Southwest Elementary Durham | 2.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham | 2.2 mi | 9.2 |
| INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durham | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Lakewood Elementary Durham | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| INSIGHT COLEARNING CENTER Durham | 2.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,432
Median Home Value
$371,500
Median Rent
$1,364/mo
Population
50,865
College Educated
56.9%
Homeownership
47.2%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding W G Pearson Elementary has a median household income of $72,432. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $371,500, with a median rent of $1,364/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Banks Elementary Kinston, NC | 8.3 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale, NC | 8.3 |
| Cary Elementary Cary, NC | 8.3 |
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont, NC | 8.3 |
| Ceasar Cone Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.3 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington, NC | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W G Pearson Elementary
What grades does W G Pearson Elementary serve?
W G Pearson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend W G Pearson Elementary?
W G Pearson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W G Pearson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at W G Pearson Elementary 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 W G Pearson Elementary rank in NC?
W G Pearson Elementary is ranked #287 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W G Pearson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
W G Pearson Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 W G Pearson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W G Pearson Elementary has 34.3% math proficiency and 34.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W G Pearson Elementary a charter school?
No, W G Pearson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W G Pearson Elementary a Title I school?
No, W G Pearson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W G Pearson Elementary?
99.1% of students at W G Pearson 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
- 24 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 38 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 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
- 348
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Durham County
- Phone
- (919) 560-3988
- 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
- #16 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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