The top reported proficiency rate is 59% in Science. The lowest is 26% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on C C Spaulding Elementary
C C Spaulding Elementary is a small school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Durham, with a student body that is predominantly Black and Hispanic. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting deep economic need in the school's catchment area. The school is located on South Roxboro Road, a major north-south corridor through the city.
On state standardized assessments in 2024-25, the school's proficiency results show a clear profile: about half of students in grades 3-5 met proficiency in mathematics, about one quarter met proficiency in English language arts, and about three-fifths met proficiency in science. The mathematics result sits slightly below the middle of performance across the county's districts; the English language arts result is notably weak, sitting well below typical district performance. Science proficiency is relatively stronger, though a assessment change in that subject makes year-to-year comparison uncertain. For families considering this school, the English language arts picture is the most pressing concern and one a parent may want to discuss with the school's leadership about what reading supports and interventions are in place, particularly given the district's recent shift toward science-of-reading instruction.
The school enrolls about the right size for an elementary in its grade band, with healthy representation across the pre-K through fifth-grade years. The teaching staff and special-education identification rates were not available in the data provided. Whether the school offers gifted programs, English-learner services, or specialized academic pathways could not be determined from available information.
Durham as a whole is a growing city anchored by Duke University and Duke Health, with a historic downtown undergoing major development and a strong biotech and startup economy tied to nearby Research Triangle Park. The housing market in the 27707 zip code shows home values in the mid-range for the region and rents modest. However, families in or near C C Spaulding's catchment should be aware that Durham Public Schools is undergoing significant change: a 2022 bond passed by voters is funding two new schools and building improvements, and district administrators have begun planning for the closure and consolidation of older elementary schools, with potential tax increases and attendance-zone reassignments to come. The district also adopted a structured literacy approach district-wide within the last few years, moving all schools toward systematic phonics instruction, a shift that directly affects how reading is taught.
For families seeking a school in a walkable, growing city with strong employer anchors and diverse neighborhood options, Durham offers that context. For parents weighing C C Spaulding specifically, the strength in science and the school's location within a district investing in literacy are assets. The weak English language arts proficiency and the broader questions about the school's academic supports and stability amid district consolidation plans warrant direct conversation with school staff.
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