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Durham Country MarketPhoto: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Durham · Durham Unified School District

Durham’s public schools outscore 72% of California districts

Math proficiency in Durham’s districts is 42%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Durham, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#225of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
48%
▲ 1 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
42%
▲ 9 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 4–8 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.4K
▼ 32% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
19.7
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
1,048 students on the public path
In brief

Durham’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 584 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Durham’s, its schools beat 82%, higher than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 48% and math 42% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,362 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Durham Intermediate, then Durham High. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Durham’s grade

B+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B+: better than 72% of California school districts, #225 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 72%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (584)Better than 82%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 516 test results and a graduating class of 72 could put Durham anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Durham’s students in the tested grades sat them (516 in math, 517 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Durham, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Durham ElementaryDurham Unified School DistrictB+
6–8Durham IntermediateDurham Unified School DistrictB
9–12Durham HighDurham Unified School DistrictB+

Durham’s public schools are run by Durham Unified School District. Parts of Durham (13% of its land) are served by Chico Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Durham Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 3 schools · 1,048 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 19.7 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$14,362CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading48%
State average 46.7% · 517 students tested
Math42%
State average 33.1% · 516 students tested

Durham vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Durham’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DurhamB+Durham Unified
ChicoB+Chico Unified

Every school in Durham

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Durhamby address
Durham Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
495 students23:1Rate it →
Durham Intermediate
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
233 students19:1Rate it →
Durham High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
320 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Durham’s schools

Are Durham’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Durham children attend outscore 72% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #225 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Durham in?

Durham Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,048 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Durham are served by Chico Unified.

Where do Durham kids go to high school?

Durham High, with 320 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Durham’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Durham Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Durham spend per student?

$14,362 in Durham Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Durham families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Durham → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.