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Tripp House and Store ComplexTripp House and Store Complex · Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Durham · Cairo-Durham Central School District

Durham’s public schools score below 84% of New York districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 33% of Durham’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (46%). 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 New York, not nationally.

#677of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 83% 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
38%
▼ 11 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 14 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75–79%
▼ 8–12 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$29.8K
▼ 14% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
8.6
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
1,037 students on the public path
In brief

Durham’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1150 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Durham’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 16% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 83% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Durham’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $29,830 per student, against $34,607 across New York (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 Cairo-Durham Middle School, then Cairo-Durham High School. Enrollment is down 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

C− Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 16% of New York school districts, #677 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 16%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1150)Better than 11%
Towns in Greene County (14)Better than 7%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 466 test results and a graduating class of 87 could put Durham anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 83% of Durham’s students in the tested grades sat them (478 in math, 453 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
PK–5Cairo-Durham Elementary Schoolin CairoC−
6–8Cairo-Durham Middle SchoolCairo-Durham Central School DistrictC−
9–12Cairo-Durham High SchoolCairo-Durham Central School DistrictA

Durham’s public schools are run by Cairo-Durham Central School District, which also serves Cairo. Parts of Durham (6% of its land) are served by Greenville Central 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.

Cairo-Durham Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,037 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 8.6 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$29,830NY $34,607 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading38%
State average 48.9% · 453 students tested
Math33%
State average 46.5% · 478 students tested

Durham vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DurhamC−Cairo-Durham Central
WindhamB+Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central
GreenvilleCGreenville Central
CairoC−Cairo-Durham Central
Conesville—Gilboa-Conesville Central
RensselaervilleC+Greenville Central PK–12 · Middleburgh Central PK–12

Every school in Durham

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

District schools in Durhamby address
Cairo-Durham Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Cairo
C−
272 students8:1Rate it →
Cairo-Durham High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Cairo
A
333 students8:1Rate it →
Also serving Durhamin other towns
Cairo-Durham Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Cairo
C−
432 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Durham’s schools

Are Durham’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Durham children attend score below 84% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #677 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Durham in?

Cairo-Durham Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,037 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Durham are served by Greenville Central.

Where do Durham kids go to high school?

Cairo-Durham High School in Cairo, with 333 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Durham’s graduation rate?

75–79% of the class of 2023 in Cairo-Durham Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Durham spend per student?

$29,830 in Cairo-Durham Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. 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 New York. Stars are from neighbors.