- Pearsontown Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 765 students
- Forest View Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 662 students
- Southwest Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 639 students
- Lyons Farm Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 608 students
- Sandy Ridge Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 589 students
- Holt Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 587 students
- Hillandale Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 586 students
- Creekside Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 554 students
- Spring Valley Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 543 students
- Hope Valley Elementary — Grades K–5 · 539 students
- Murray-Massenburg Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 517 students
- Parkwood Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 491 students
- Easley Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 490 students
- Glenn Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 455 students
- E K Powe Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 454 students
- Merrick-Moore Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 445 students
- Bethesda Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 442 students
- Eno Valley Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 440 students
- Lakewood Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 439 students
- Oak Grove Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 395 students
- Club Boulevard Elementary — Grades K–5 · 364 students
- George Watts Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 358 students
- Y E Smith Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 358 students
- Eastway Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 331 students
- Little River Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 326 students
- + 7 more elementary schools
- Sherwood Githens Middle — Grades 6–8 · 878 students
- George L Carrington Middle — Grades 6–8 · 771 students
- Brogden Middle — Grades 6–8 · 753 students
- Neal Middle — Grades 6–8 · 706 students
- Rogers-Herr Middle — Grades 6–8 · 660 students
- Lowe's Grove Middle — Grades 6–8 · 564 students
- James E Shepard Middle — Grades 6–8 · 423 students
- Lucas Middle — Grades 6–8 · 400 students
- Lakewood Montessori Middle — Grades 6–8 · 309 students
- C E Jordan High — Grades 9–12 · 2,189 students
- Riverside High — Grades 9–12 · 1,900 students
- Hillside High — Grades 9–12 · 1,433 students
- Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi — Grades 9–12 · 1,384 students
- Northern High — Grades 9–12 · 1,281 students
- J D Clement Early College HS — Grades 9 · 380 students
- City of Medicine Academy — Grades 9 · 329 students
- Durham School of Technology — Grades 9 · 219 students
- Middle College HS @ DTCC — Grades 11 · 164 students
- Durham's Performance Learning Center — Grades 9–12 · 122 students
- Durham School of the Arts — Grades 6–12 · 1,764 students
- Ignite Online Academy — Grades K–12 · 363 students
- The School for Creative Studies — Grades 6–12 · 350 students
- Lakeview School — Grades 6–12 · 52 students
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| Metric | Durham Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 54 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,300/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Near average |
About Durham Public Schools
Durham Public Schools serves zip code 27707, covering Durham, North Carolina with grades Pre-K – 12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Durham Public Schools spends approximately $10,300 per student per year, placing it near the North Carolina state average of approximately $10,500 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At multiple schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Durham Public Schools qualifies as a district of unknown size serving students from Pre-K – 12th. Contact Durham Public Schools to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Durham Public Schools ranks among North Carolina’s below average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Durham Public Schools carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical North Carolina benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 27707
Children in zip code 27707 are assigned to Durham Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 27707, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Durham Public Schools at (919)560-3749 or visit www.dpsnc.net. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Durham
For families considering a purchase in the Durham area, district assignment matters financially. Because Durham Public Schools serves zip code 27707, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 27707. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Durham Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 27707.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Durham Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 27707 data.