James E Shepard Middle School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2026)

2401 Dakota Street
Durham, NC 27707

Bottom 50%

Serving 400 students in grades 6-8, James E Shepard Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 43% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving is 46% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).

The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.

Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2026)

School Type: Magnet School
Grades: 6-8
Enrollment: 400 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 98%
: Bottom 50% in NC
: 43% (Btm 50%)
: 46% (Btm 50%)
: 70-74% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

James E Shepard Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

Category

Attribute

Student Attention

Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 10%)

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">School Overview

James E Shepard Middle School's student population of 400 students has declined by 8% over five school years.

The teacher population of 33 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

School Type

Magnet School

Grades Offered

Grades 6-8
(Supplemental Virtual)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	James E Shepard Middle School
6	132
7	142
8	126

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Total Students

400 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School
2023	381
2022	409
2021	437
2020	453
2019	453
2018	452
2017	452
2016	512
2015	524
2014	526
2013	519
2012	496
2011	435
2010	412
2009	451
2008	425
2007	417
2006	443
2005	445
2004	423
2003	443
2002	441
2001	412
2000	398
1999	369
1998	313
1997	275
1996	325
1995	394
1994	396
1993	415

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

33 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School
2023	32
2022	33
2021	32
2020	31
2019	31
2018	32
2017	32
2016	33
2015	35
2014	36
2013	35
2012	30
2011	29
2010	30
2009	30
2008	32
2007	32
2006	35
2005	35
2004	35
2003	35
2002	35
2001	35
2000	35
1999	35
1998	35
1997	32
1996	33
1995	32
1994	32
1993	29

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School Calendar

School Motto

One Team, One Goal, No Limits!

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="school-rankings">School Rankings

James E Shepard Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of James E Shepard Middle School is 0.50, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (NC)

#1571 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School
2023	#1571
2022	#1571
2021	#2239
2019	#2326
2018	#2312
2017	#2362
2016	#2397
2015	#2284
2014	#2294
2013	#2149
2012	#2117

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(21-22)

43%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2022	43%	51%	42%
2021	14%	42%	29%
2019	19%	42%	32%
2018	19%	48%	33%
2017	18%	47%	35%
2016	14%	47%	33%
2015	19%	44%	32%
2014	16%	43%	30%
2013	17%	42%	29%
2012	68%	82%	74%
2011	73%	82%	71%

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46%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2022	46%	50%	44%
2021	31%	47%	39%
2019	23%	46%	37%
2018	24%	47%	33%
2017	22%	46%	36%
2016	23%	47%	35%
2015	24%	46%	35%
2014	26%	46%	35%
2013	31%	45%	35%
2012	59%	73%	61%
2011	59%	70%	56%

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70-74%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2022	72%	63%	56%
2021	47%	61%	47%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

15:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	12:1	15:1	13:1
2022	12:1	14:1	13:1
2021	14:1	14:1	14:1
2020	15:1	15:1	14:1
2019	15:1	15:1	14:1
2018	14:1	16:1	15:1
2017	14:1	15:1	15:1
2016	16:1	16:1	15:1
2015	15:1	16:1	15:1
2014	15:1	15:1	15:1
2013	15:1	15:1	15:1
2012	17:1	15:1	16:1
2011	15:1	15:1	15:1
2010	14:1	15:1	15:1
2009	15:1	15:1	13:1
2008	13:1	15:1	14:1
2007	13:1	15:1	28:1
2006	13:1	14:1	14:1
2005	13:1	14:1	14:1
2004	12:1	15:1	14:1
2003	13:1	15:1	13:1
2002	13:1	15:1	13:1
2001	12:1	15:1	13:1
2000	11:1	15:1	13:1
1999	11:1	15:1	13:1
1998	9:1	15:1	13:1
1997	9:1	16:1	14:1
1996	10:1	16:1	14:1
1995	12:1	16:1	15:1
1994	12:1	16:1	14:1
1993	14:1	16:1	15:1

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American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2004)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%

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Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	1%	4%	3%
2022	1%	4%	2%
2021	1%	4%	2%
2020	1%	3%	3%
2019	1%	3%	3%
2015	1%	3%	3%
2014	1%	3%	3%
2013	1%	3%	3%
2011	1%	2%	3%
2010	1%	3%	3%
2009	1%	2%	3%
2008	2%	3%	4%
2007	2%	3%	3%
2006	3%	2%	3%
2005	4%	2%	3%
2004	3%	2%	2%
2003	3%	2%	3%
2002	3%	2%	3%
2001	2%	2%	2%
2000	2%	2%	2%
1999	3%	2%	2%

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Hispanic

34%

21%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	33%	20%	34%
2022	36%	20%	34%
2021	34%	19%	33%
2020	34%	18%	31%
2019	34%	18%	31%
2018	32%	17%	30%
2017	32%	17%	30%
2016	25%	16%	29%
2015	23%	16%	28%
2014	22%	15%	25%
2013	20%	14%	24%
2012	15%	13%	23%
2011	11%	13%	21%
2010	11%	11%	19%
2009	10%	11%	18%
2008	10%	11%	18%
2007	8%	10%	17%
2006	5%	8%	14%
2005	4%	8%	12%
2004	3%	7%	10%
2003	1%	6%	9%
2002	2%	5%	8%
2001	2%	4%	6%
2000	2%	4%	5%
1999	1%	3%	4%
1998	1%	3%	3%
1997	1%	2%	2%
1996	1%	2%	2%

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Black

62%

25%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	62%	25%	39%
2022	60%	25%	41%
2021	61%	25%	42%
2020	63%	25%	44%
2019	63%	25%	44%
2018	66%	26%	47%
2017	66%	26%	47%
2016	74%	26%	48%
2015	75%	26%	49%
2014	75%	26%	50%
2013	77%	26%	51%
2012	82%	26%	51%
2011	86%	26%	52%
2010	86%	31%	57%
2009	87%	31%	57%
2008	84%	29%	55%
2007	85%	29%	55%
2006	85%	32%	58%
2005	80%	31%	59%
2004	82%	31%	60%
2003	79%	31%	59%
2002	76%	31%	59%
2001	71%	31%	59%
2000	65%	31%	59%
1999	62%	31%	59%
1998	65%	30%	58%
1997	77%	31%	57%
1996	90%	31%	56%
1995	99%	30%	55%
1994	99%	30%	53%
1993	100%	30%	52%

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White

43%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1995-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	2%	44%	19%
2022	1%	45%	19%
2021	2%	46%	19%
2020	1%	48%	19%
2019	1%	48%	19%
2014	1%	51%	19%
2013	1%	52%	19%
2012	2%	53%	21%
2011	1%	53%	21%
2010	1%	54%	21%
2009	2%	54%	22%
2008	4%	55%	23%
2007	5%	56%	25%
2006	7%	56%	25%
2005	12%	57%	26%
2004	11%	58%	28%
2003	15%	59%	29%
2002	19%	60%	30%
2001	25%	61%	33%
2000	31%	61%	34%
1999	34%	62%	35%
1998	32%	63%	36%
1997	21%	64%	38%
1996	8%	64%	40%
1995	1%	65%	41%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	2%	6%	5%
2022	2%	5%	4%
2021	2%	5%	4%
2020	1%	5%	3%
2019	1%	5%	3%
2018	2%	4%	3%
2017	2%	4%	3%
2016	1%	4%	2%
2015	1%	4%	2%
2014	1%	4%	3%
2013	1%	4%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.50

0.71

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	0.51	0.71	0.70
2022	0.51	0.70	0.69
2021	0.52	0.69	0.69
2020	0.49	0.68	0.68
2019	0.49	0.68	0.68
2018	0.47	0.67	0.66
2017	0.47	0.67	0.66
2016	0.39	0.66	0.66
2015	0.39	0.66	0.65
2014	0.39	0.65	0.66
2013	0.37	0.65	0.65
2012	0.31	0.64	0.65
2011	0.25	0.64	0.64
2010	0.25	0.61	0.60
2009	0.23	0.61	0.60
2008	0.30	0.61	0.61
2007	0.27	0.60	0.61
2006	0.27	0.58	0.58
2005	0.35	0.58	0.57
2004	0.32	0.57	0.56
2003	0.36	0.56	0.56
2002	0.39	0.55	0.56
2001	0.44	0.53	0.55
2000	0.49	0.53	0.54
1999	0.50	0.52	0.53
1998	0.48	0.52	0.53
1997	0.37	0.50	0.53
1996	0.19	0.50	0.53

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

98%

68%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1995-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	70%	57%	64%
2022	56%	47%	54%
2021	55%	49%	53%
2020	74%	52%	58%
2019	74%	52%	58%
2018	70%	53%	59%
2017	70%	53%	59%
2016	67%	52%	59%
2015	62%	52%	58%
2014	63%	47%	59%
2013	63%	47%	59%
2012	60%	45%	54%
2011	55%	43%	53%
2010	50%	40%	50%
2009	33%	28%	40%
2008	43%	25%	46%
2007	39%	35%	34%
2006	42%	35%	39%
2005	38%	37%	39%
2004	40%	36%	39%
2002	24%	30%	32%
2001	23%	29%	32%
2000	24%	31%	35%
1999	34%	31%	37%
1998	34%	31%	31%
1997	51%	30%	33%
1996	71%	30%	33%
1995	50%	29%	27%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2002-2023)
Year	James E Shepard Middle School	North Carolina	Durham Public Schools
2023	5%	3%	2%
2022	3%	2%	2%
2021	3%	3%	2%
2020	5%	4%	3%
2019	5%	4%	3%
2018	6%	4%	4%
2017	6%	4%	4%
2016	7%	5%	4%
2015	7%	5%	4%
2014	10%	7%	5%
2013	8%	7%	5%
2012	9%	8%	5%
2011	11%	8%	5%
2010	9%	9%	6%
2009	11%	6%	6%
2008	10%	6%	7%
2007	8%	8%	6%
2006	6%	7%	6%
2005	9%	8%	6%
2004	9%	8%	6%
2002	6%	8%	8%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Durham Public Schools

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions

What is James E Shepard Middle School's ranking?

James E Shepard Middle School is ranked #1571 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

43% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 46% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).

How many students attend James E Shepard Middle School?

400 students attend James E Shepard Middle School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

62% of James E Shepard Middle School students are Black, 34% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are White, and 2% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student-teacher ratio of James E Shepard Middle School?

James E Shepard Middle School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.

What grades does James E Shepard Middle School offer ?

James E Shepard Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (Supplemental Virtual).

What school district is James E Shepard Middle School part of?

James E Shepard Middle School is part of Durham Public Schools.

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