- Mangum Elementary — 1.2 mi · Grades PK–5 · 315 students
- Lucas Middle — 3.0 mi · Grades 6–8 · 400 students
- Little River Elementary — 3.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 326 students
- George L Carrington Middle — 4.9 mi · Grades 6–8 · 771 students
- Eno Valley Elementary — 5.0 mi · Grades PK–5 · 440 students
- Easley Elementary — 5.8 mi · Grades PK–5 · 490 students
- Northern High — 6.3 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,281 students
- The School for Creative Studies — 6.6 mi · Grades 6–12 · 350 students
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| Metric | Durham Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 31,531 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 56 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,851/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 10% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 40th percentile → 5/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Durham Public Schools
Durham Public Schools serves zip code 27503, covering Bahama, North Carolina with grades Pre-K – 13th. 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.
Understanding the 5/10 Rating
With a rating of 5/10 (average), Durham Public Schools ranks among North Carolina’s 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 North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 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 falls near the middle of North Carolina on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 27503
Children in zip code 27503 are assigned to Durham Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 27503, 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 Bahama
For families considering a purchase in the Bahama area, district assignment matters financially. Because Durham Public Schools serves zip code 27503, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 27503. 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 27503.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. 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 27503 data.