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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Durham Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public charter schools serving 14,312 students in Durham, NC.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Durham, NC are Research Triangle High School, Voyager Academy and Central Park School For Children. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Durham, NC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the North Carolina public charter school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 59% statewide average). Charter schools in Durham have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public charter school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Durham, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Research Triangle High School
Charter School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3106 East Nc Highway 54
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 998-6757
Gr: 9-12 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
Voyager Academy
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Hock Parc Drive
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 433-3301
Gr: K-12 | 1,360 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Central Park School For Children
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
724 Foster Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-1200
Gr: K-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #44.
Durham Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
807 West Chapel Hill Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 956-5599
Gr: K-10 | 1,010 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Excelsior Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4100 N Roxboro Street
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 213-8585
Gr: K-12 | 1,032 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #66.
Discovery Charter
Charter School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
501 Orange Factory Road
Durham, NC 27722
(984) 888-5504
Gr: 6-11 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #77.
Nc Virtual Academy
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4220 Nc Highway 55, Suite 130
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 346-0121
Gr: K-12 | 3,482 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #88.
Global Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
311 Dowd St
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5903
Gr: K-8 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #99.
Research Triangle Charter
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2418 Ellis Road
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 957-7108
Gr: K-8 | 710 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1010.
Kestrel Heights School
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4700 South Alston Ave.
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 484-1300
Gr: K-8 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
The Institute Development Young Leaders
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4300 S. Miami Blvd.
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 308-9731
Gr: K-8 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Community School Of Digital & Visual Art
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1955 West Cornwallis Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 797-2340
Gr: K-8 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1313.
Maureen Joy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
107 South Driver Street
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 908-1602
Gr: K-8 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
Reaching All Minds Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2703 Holloway St.
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 596-1899
Gr: K-8 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1515.
Kipp Durham College Preparatory
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1107 Holloway Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 973-0285
Gr: K-8 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
North Oak Academy
Charter School
2418 Ellis Rd
Durham, NC 27703
(984) 244-5528
Rank: n/an/a
West Triangle High School
Charter School
Rock Quarry Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 807-3300

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Durham, NC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Durham, NC include Research Triangle High School, Voyager Academy and Central Park School For Children.
How many public charter schools are located in Durham?
18 public charter schools are located in Durham.
What is the racial composition of students in Durham?
Durham public charter schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public charter schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in Durham are often viewed compared to one another?

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