Top 10 Best Durham Public Middle Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 30 public middle schools serving 21,194 students in Durham, NC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Durham, NC are Lakewood Montessori Middle School, Durham School Of The Arts and Voyager Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Durham, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Durham have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black).

Best Public Middle Schools in Durham, NC (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lakewood Montessori Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2119 Chapel Hill Rd
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-2894
Grades: 6-8
| 303 students
Rank: #22.
Durham School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
401 North Duke Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3926
Grades: 6-12
| 1,705 students
Rank: #33.
Voyager Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Hock Parc Drive
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 433-3301
Grades: K-12
| 1,361 students
Rank: #44.
Rogers-herr Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
911 Cornwallis Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3970
Grades: 6-8
| 643 students
Rank: #55.
Central Park School For Child
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
724 Foster Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-1200
Grades: K-8
| 594 students
Rank: #66.
Dps Hospital School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Dumc Room 3605
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-5684
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Rank: #77.
Durham Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
807 West Chapel Hill Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 956-5599
Grades: K-9
| 643 students
Rank: #88.
Excelsior Classical Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4100 N Roxboro Street
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 213-8585
Grades: K-11
| 987 students
Rank: #99.
Discovery Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
501 Orange Factory Road
Durham, NC 27722
(984) 888-5504
Grades: 6-9
| 332 students
Rank: #1010.
Little River K-8 School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2315 Snow Hill Road
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3940
Grades: PK-8
| 374 students
Rank: #1111.
Sherwood Githens Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4800 Chapel Hill Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3966
Grades: 6-8
| 763 students
Rank: #1212.
James E Shepard Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2401 Dakota Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3938
Grades: 6-8
| 381 students
Rank: #1313.
Nc Virtual Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4220 Nc Highway 55, Suite 130
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 346-0121
Grades: K-12
| 3,047 students
Rank: #1414.
North Carolina Cyber Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2800 Meridian Parkway, Suite 1
Durham, NC 27713
(984) 262-9237
Grades: K-12
| 2,372 students
Rank: #1515.
Global Scholars Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
311 Dowd St
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5903
Grades: K-8
| 211 students
Rank: #1616.
The School For Creative Studies
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5001 Red Mill Rd
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3535
Grades: 6-12
| 540 students
Rank: #1717.
Research Triangle Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2418 Ellis Road
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 957-7108
Grades: K-8
| 693 students
Rank: #1818.
Kestrel Heights School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4700 South Alston Ave.
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 484-1300
Grades: K-8
| 424 students
Rank: #1919.
George L Carrington Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
227 Milton Road
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 560-3916
Grades: 6-8
| 755 students
Rank: #2020.
Ignite Online Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5321 Ephesus Church Rd.
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3749
Grades: K-12
| 467 students
Rank: #2121.
The Institute Development Young Leaders
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4300 S. Miami Blvd.
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 308-9731
Grades: K-8
| 397 students
Rank: #2222.
Lucas Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
923 Snow Hill Road
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3843
Grades: 6-8
| 371 students
Rank: #2323.
Community School Of Digital & Visual Art
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1955 West Cornwallis Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 797-2340
Grades: K-8
| 217 students
Rank: #2424.
Maureen Joy Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
107 South Driver Street
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 908-1602
Grades: K-8
| 616 students
Rank: #2525.
Reaching All Minds Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2703 Holloway St.
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 596-1899
Grades: K-8
| 400 students
Rank: #2626.
Lowe's Grove Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4418 S Alston Avenue
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3946
Grades: 6-8
| 700 students
Rank: #2727.
Brogden Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 Leon Street
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3906
Grades: 6-8
| 742 students
Rank: #2828.
Kipp Durham College Preparatory
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1107 Holloway Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 973-0285
Grades: K-8
| 311 students
Rank: #2929.
Neal Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Baptist Road
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-3955
Grades: 6-8
| 789 students
Rank: #3030.
Lakeview School
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3507 Dearborn Drive
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-2520
Grades: 6-12
| 56 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Durham, North Carolina

Durham, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
401 N Driver St
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3931
Grades: 5-12
| 174 students
1219 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27715
(919) 416-2600
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
2700 Meridian Parkway
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 224-4040
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
4220 Nc Highway 55
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 346-0121
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
910 Cook Road
Durham, NC 27717
(919) 687-0870
Grades: K-8
| 63 students
800 Clayton Rd
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-9184
Grades: 9-12
| 278 students
600 E Umstead St
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-2208
Grades: 8
| 79 students
The Wright School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
3132 North Roxboro St
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-5790
Grades: K-8
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public middle schools in Durham, NC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Durham, NC include Lakewood Montessori Middle School, Durham School Of The Arts and Voyager Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in Durham?
30 public middle schools are located in Durham.
What is the racial composition of students in Durham?
Durham public middle schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Durham are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

How Does Bullying Affect a Student’s Academic Performance?
How Does Bullying Affect a Student’s Academic Performance?
We explore the significant impact of bullying on students' academic performance, discussing statistics, research findings, and long-term effects. It provides valuable insights for educators and parents on recognizing bullying behaviors and implementing effective prevention strategies to create a safe learning environment.
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
This comprehensive guide explores the increasing trend of legal prosecution for school fights, discussing recent incidents, age considerations, and the shift from traditional school punishments to law enforcement involvement. It provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and students about the evolving landscape of school discipline and safety measures.
Understanding Rubrics
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.