Durham Unified
Durham Unified has 3 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 45.4/100 — 1.7 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Durham High at 48/100, where 14.6% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $11,877 per student (below the state average of $14,815). 1 school shows positive growth trajectories. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.3%, near the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Developing 44.5/100 | 1 | 15.1% | 9.7% |
| Middle | Developing 43.6/100 | 1 | 18.8% | 19.2% |
| High | Developing 48.2/100 | 1 | 14.6% | 20.0% |
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Durham Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Strongest level: Durham Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 48.2.
Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +13.2pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are adding meaningful value.
Consistency: Score range of 4.5 points — remarkably consistent between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 16.3%, 1.8pp near the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 4.2%, below the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: Durham High leads the district at 48 with 14.6% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Durham Unified
Hidden gems: 1 school in Durham Unified is classified as Growth Engine — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Durham Unified spends $11,877 per student in current expenditures — $2,938 below the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Elementary Schools (1)
Durham Unified has 1 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 44.5 — 0.8 points near the state average of 43.8.
District-wide growth averages +13.2pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Durham Elementary with a Scope Score of 45 and 15.1% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham Elementary Durham Unified Growth Engine | 15.1% | Developing 45/100 |
Middle Schools (1)
Durham Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 43.6 — 3.2 points above the state average of 40.5.
Growth averages -8.1pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring middle school is Durham Intermediate with a Scope Score of 44 and 18.8% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham Intermediate Durham Unified Building Momentum | 18.8% | Developing 44/100 |
High Schools (1)
Durham Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 48.2 — 0.7 points near the state average of 47.5.
The highest-scoring high school is Durham High with a Scope Score of 48 and 14.6% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham High Durham Unified Building Momentum | 14.6% | Developing 48/100 |
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Durham Unified
- Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
- Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
- Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
- Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
- Parent and community engagement levels
- Quality of special education and gifted programs
- How resources are distributed across schools within the district
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology