Skip to main content

Very Good

#845 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% 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

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#845 of 2,648

In Durham

#29 of 68

public schools

In district

#26 of 54

Durham Public Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around W G Pearson Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

W G Pearson Elementary

7.2/10

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

Faith Assembly Christian Academy

6.9/10

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

Hillside High

5.5/10

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

About W G Pearson Elementary

W G Pearson Elementary is a public elementary school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. W G Pearson Elementary serves approximately 348 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. W G Pearson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #845 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for W G Pearson Elementary show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at W G Pearson Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism35.9%

W G Pearson Elementary — Students at W G Pearson Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 28.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
55%
ELA
49%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
18%
ELA
17%
2013
Math
16%
ELA
14%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
14%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
15%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
27.7%
ELA
31.2%
2025
Math
45.1%
ELA
42.4%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How W G Pearson Elementary Compares

See how W G Pearson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in NC
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

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

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 9.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morehead Montessori (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pearsontown Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably 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 5.5
Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham 0.4 mi 5.6
Durham School of Technology Durham 0.5 mi 9.3
QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF DURHAM Durham 0.5 mi
James E Shepard Middle Durham 0.7 mi 7.6
J D Clement Early College HS Durham 1.2 mi 7.5
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham 1.4 mi 4.9
Pearsontown Elementary Durham 1.8 mi 8.7
R N Harris Elementary Durham 1.6 mi 5.4
Burton Elementary Durham 1.8 mi 9.0
Morehead Montessori Durham 2.1 mi 8.8
Rogers-Herr Middle Durham 1.9 mi 8.7
Middle College HS @ DTCC Durham 1.9 mi 9.5
Hope Valley Elementary Durham 1.8 mi 6.5
Southwest Elementary Durham 2.2 mi 8.3
Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham 2.2 mi 9.6
INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durham 2.1 mi 8.2
Lakewood Elementary Durham 2.3 mi 6.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Battleground Elementary Lincolnton, NC 7.2
Bostian Elementary China Grove, NC 7.2
Brentwood Elementary Raleigh, NC 7.2
Edgewood Elementary Whiteville, NC 7.2
Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill, NC 7.2
Mount Olive Elementary School King, NC 7.2

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 ranks #845 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is W G Pearson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

W G Pearson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 W G Pearson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, W G Pearson Elementary has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

District

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

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.