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Durham Charter School

Durham, NC 27701

Phone: (919) 956-5599
Fax: (919) 688-9027
District: Healthy Start Academy School District

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charter • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 • 643 students

Durham Charter School, a charter school located in Durham, NC, serves grades K-11 in the Durham Charter School.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Durham Charter School is a charter school located in Durham, NC. 643 students attend Durham Charter School.

School Ratings

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	7/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Student Growth	9/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Posted: July 31, 2026

As a working single parent, I have been extremely disappointed with my experience at this school. My daughter attended last year, and one of the biggest issues has been the lack of consistency from the administration. Throughout the school year, there were at least four or five major changes to school operations, including arrival and dismissal procedures and before and after school care. It felt like the expectations were constantly changing, making it very difficult for families to plan.

This year has been even more concerning. The school has implemented an early release every single Wednesday, requiring students to be picked up at 12:30 p.m. for the entire school year. I have never seen a school do something like this! As a full-time working single parent, I cannot simply leave work every Wednesday to pick up my child and bring them back to work with me. The only solution the school has offered is to pay $50 each week for drop-in care through the schools extended-day program. Over the course of the school year, that adds up to approximately $1,150 in additional childcare expenses that many families simply cannot afford.

To make matters worse, the school discontinued Ivy Camps, which previously provided extended day care, and took over the program themselves while increasing the cost. Families are now paying more while also dealing with significant schedule changes.

I want to be fair because there are some wonderful teachers at this school who genuinely care about their students and make a positive difference every day. However, I also believe some staff members would benefit from additional training, particularly when it comes to communication and working with families.

My biggest concern is the administrations lack of consistency and the impact these decisions have on working parents. Schools should provide stability, not create new financial and logistical burdens throughout the year. Unfortunately, because of timing, changing schools is not a realistic option for my family, so I am left trying to adapt to changes that have made an already challenging balancing act even more difficult.

I hope the administration takes parent feedback seriously and considers the real impact these decisions have on the families they serve.

Posted: July 31, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

MY experience to Durham charter school aka healthy start was a good experience with my son was the first 8th grade graduating class now that his children goes there it has been a headache get called for minor stuff where you have to leave your job to go pick your kid up were they have a dean of student that does not take the time to talk to the child to find out what is going on he just calls the parent if he doesn't want to do his job give it to someone who care about about children and can take the time to learn and offer help to the parents stop trying to turn this school military camp school should be a place form learning and help kids that need help with behavior and learning it is really hard to get to talk to the administration no one is every available to talk to you and when you call the office staff is very rude and short with you. do better ifyou want parents support and support the parents.

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: November 12, 2024

Great Learning Environment for my child. My child enjoys coming to school and his grades have improved dramatically.

Posted: November 12, 2024

It is an honor and a pleasure to work at Durham Charter School. DCS is home to incredibly passionate educators who are constantly innovating for the benefit of scholars. DCS teachers dig into question level data to ensure that they are targeting scholars specific gaps in knowledge and skill. Our scholars are focused, helpful, and orderly. Our administrators are available to teachers, parents, and scholars alike to discuss glows and grows in the program model. Teachers and scholars build meaningful relationships. It is truly a joyful school and workplace. The brand new $20+ million dollar campus is currently under construction. We are thrilled to offer world class facilities to scholars from downtown Durham opening in the fall of 25-26.

Posted: November 30, 2022

Quiero agradecer a todo el personal docente de la escuela por su arduo trabajo con los alumnos, especialmente con mis dos hijos. Más que una escuela es cómo su segundo hogar, por la calidez y el cariño de cada uno de sus maestros.

Posted: November 30, 2022

Posted: November 29, 2022

Our experience at Durham Charter has been exceptional. The teachers are truly invested in my childrens education and their growth as learners. Adjustments are made as needed to meet the needs of the student. The leveled learning have enabled my children to gain confidence in their learning abilities. The curriculum is challenging where they push the child to their best abilities. The teachers constantly taking training and create plan of attacks to encourage scholars. They really makes me feel that we are part of a big family!

Posted: November 29, 2022

I want to say that this is a very GREAT SCHOOL, I switched my son from DPS to Durham Charter for many reasons academic, transportation and communication wise something that DPS didn't have at all. I don't regret at all switching my son from DPS to Durham Charter I LOVE IT ! I have seen a major change in my son him being eager to read and learn more something that I didn't get to see before but now I am seeing it. If a parent is in doubt you can always communicate with the teachers at all times and not only that if you was to call the school you will always get an answer with no doubt. I appreciate and Love everything Durham Charter do for the scholars and parents.

Posted: November 29, 2022

Posted: April 29, 2020

Overall , I love being part of this community. My kids enjoy going to school, and academically they are doing great.

Posted: April 29, 2020

Posted: September 21, 2019

10/10 for sure. Basically with the changes with the staff and even principal our school have changed from a bad school to send kids to learn to one of the top 9 most growth on EOGs

Posted: September 21, 2019

All homework is at a very special level for all students to be able to understand. Also, all teachers will mostly help you if you don't understand your homework. I say this because I am one of the students this 2019-2020 school year.

Posted: September 21, 2019

Posted: February 21, 2018

This is my 3 year for my girls thanks to all the teachers and staff for be part for the education of my kids i will not change my kids to another school i will stick to healthy start academy thanks

Posted: January 16, 2018

I love this school and they worried a lot for the kids.

Posted: January 16, 2018

Posted: December 6, 2016

The Teachers and Staff try very hard and are wonderful. As with all schools there are some "Bad Apple" students that are a challenge.

Posted: March 20, 2016

The teachers are wonderful but the administration does not back up the teachers. The teachers are pretty much on their own where discipline is concerned...the administration seems to be afraid they might hurt someone's feelings. So, if your child gets threatened or slapped, have no fear, nothing will be done about it.

Posted: May 5, 2015

If you want your child to be around others who curse out staff and administration, fight frequently, and have a high turnover rate for teachers then this is the school for your child.

Reviews provided by GreatSchools^™

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Hedingham	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	24.3 mi
2	Eagle Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	26.4 mi
3	Winston Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Clayton	NC	32.6 mi
4	The Summit	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	47.6 mi
5	Forest Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Bunnlevel	NC	47.7 mi
6	Sunset Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	48.1 mi
7	Carolina Seasons	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Cameron	NC	48.6 mi
8	Anderson Creek Club	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	48.9 mi

#	Name	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance

Base	Distance
Raleigh National Guard	17.2 mi.

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Durham Charter School

Durham, NC 27701

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