Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Durham Public Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
55
Schools
31,083
Students
$17,524
Per-Pupil Spend
+22% nat'l
66.9%
Free Lunch Rate
+15pp vs nat'l
84.2%
Graduation Rate
-2.3pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Durham Public Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 31,083 students across 55 schools. It includes 30 elementary, 9 middle, 13 high schools. Its graduation rate of 84.2% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $17,524 is above average for a US public school district. 67% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 36/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (55)
Elementary Schools30 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Bethesda ElementaryPK–05617
Burton ElementaryPK–05293
C C Spaulding ElementaryPK–05230
Club Boulevard ElementaryKG–05387
Creekside ElementaryKG–05543
E K Powe ElementaryPK–05383
Easley ElementaryKG–05450
Eastway ElementaryPK–05402
Eno Valley ElementaryPK–05572
Fayetteville Street ElementaryPK–05230
Forest View ElementaryKG–05640
George Watts ElementaryPK–05315
Glenn ElementaryKG–05563
Hillandale ElementaryPK–05537
Holt ElementaryPK–05636
Hope Valley ElementaryKG–05627
Lakewood ElementaryPK–05385
Little River K-8 SchoolPK–08374
Mangum ElementaryPK–05301
Merrick-Moore ElementaryPK–05540
Morehead MontessoriPK–05227
Oak Grove ElementaryPK–05472
Parkwood ElementaryPK–05602
Pearsontown ElementaryPK–05726
R N Harris ElementaryPK–05291
Sandy Ridge ElementaryPK–05484
Southwest ElementaryPK–05663
Spring Valley ElementaryPK–05534
W G Pearson ElementaryPK–05333
Y E Smith ElementaryPK–05286
Middle Schools9 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Brogden Middle06–08742
George L Carrington Middle06–08755
James E Shepard Middle06–08381
Lakewood Montessori Middle06–08303
Lowe's Grove Middle06–08700
Lucas Middle06–08371
Neal Middle06–08789
Rogers-Herr Middle06–08643
Sherwood Githens Middle06–08763
Other Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
DPS Hospital SchoolPK–120
Holton Career and Resource CenterUG–UG0
Ignite Online AcademyKG–12467
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$17,524+22% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
46%
34%
State
46.0%
Local (property tax)
34.5%
Federal
19.5%

Funding is shared between state (46%) and local sources (34%), with notable federal support (20%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
55
Schools
31,083
Students
67%
Free Lunch
$18K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate84.2%
Opportunity Score36/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
High per-student investment
Spends $17,524 per pupil — 22% above the national average of $14,347.
Range of school options
With 55 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
67% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Durham Public Schools?
Durham Public Schools has 55 public schools, serving a total of 31,083 students.
What is the graduation rate for Durham Public Schools?
The graduation rate is 84.2%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Durham Public Schools spend per student?
Durham Public Schools spends $17,524 per pupil — 22% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Durham Public Schools?
67% of students in Durham Public Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Durham Public Schools?
No, Durham Public Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Durham Public Schools serve?
Durham Public Schools serves grades PK through UG, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Durham Public Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Durham Public Schools is 36/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.