Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Summary:

Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi is a public magnet high school located in Durham, North Carolina, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,283 students. The school has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup that is predominantly African American and Hispanic.

Academically, Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi consistently ranks in the bottom 25% of North Carolina high schools, with significantly lower proficiency rates on End-of-Course (EOC) exams compared to the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates were 16.4% in Biology, 31.2% in English II, 17.8% in Math I, and 24.2% in Math III, compared to the district averages of 41.3%, 52.1%, 29.3%, and 43.4%, respectively. The school's performance on EOC exams has also declined over the past few years. Additionally, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with African American students outperforming the overall school averages, while Hispanic and White students perform lower.

Compared to nearby magnet schools, such as The School for Creative Studies, City of Medicine Academy, and Durham School of the Arts, Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi generally underperforms on academic measures. These magnet schools serve a more diverse student population and have lower percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. However, the school's focus on energy and sustainability education could be a unique strength and opportunity to engage students and provide them with valuable skills and knowledge in a growing field.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 9-12

 800 Clayton Road
       Durham, NC  27703-2606


(919) 560-3968

District: Durham Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
604th of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,432 Help


Feeder schools for Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi:

Elementary:    Merrick-Moore Elementary
    Oak Grove Elementary
    Spring Valley Elementary
    Y E Smith Elementary
Middle:    Neal Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  18.0 Help
Number of students:  1,352

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
49.9%
African American:
43.4%
Two or more races:
3.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.8% Help


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 Compare Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi ranks worse than 94.4% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 11th among 12 ranked high schools in the Durham Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.51. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (49.9%), African American (43.4%), two or more races (3.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi is 18. 10 high schools in the Durham Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi employs 75.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi is $11,432, which is the 5th highest among 12 high schools in the Durham Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi:

SchoolDigger ranks Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi 604th of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Durham Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Durham Public Schools 163rd of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 16.12 381st 431 11.6%
2007 23.19 371st 453 18.1%
2008 12.17 423rd 477 11.3%
2009 7.68 449th 490 8.4%
2010 5.74 459th 499 8.0%
2011 19.31 434th 506 14.2%
2012 26.59 392nd 502 21.9%
2013 9.95 450th 505 10.9%
2014 4.44 439th 451 2.7%
2015 8.24 463rd 531 12.8%
2016 6.29 457th 507 9.9%
2017 8.15 431st 476 9.5%
2018 12.84 409th 469 12.8%
2019 14.52 444th 514 13.6%
2021 8.85 566th 594 4.7%
2022 13.19 557th 621 10.3%
2023 12.46 555th 626 11.3%
2024 8.51 604th 640 5.6%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 16.68 208th 226 8.0%
2023 49.87 116th 249 53.4%
2024 33.74 186th 261 28.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 39.20 96th 173 44.5%
2023 24.07 194th 226 14.2%
2024 16.71 256th 262 2.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 23.00 303rd 349 13.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.77 362nd 424 14.6%
2019 21.07 363rd 446 18.6%
2021 13.61 413th 432 4.4%
2022 16.21 501st 544 7.9%
2023 18.11 518th 597 13.2%
2024 15.16 558th 613 9.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 35.07 33rd 44 25.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.84 424th 449 5.6%
2019 9.77 446th 475 6.1%
2021 7.78 461st 475 2.9%
2022 9.58 552nd 594 7.1%
2023 11.79 539th 588 8.3%
2024 6.99 585th 602 2.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.30 290th 349 16.9%
2019 44.44 180th 364 50.5%
2022 15.01 328th 330 0.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.30 94th 100 6.0%
2019 1.65 321st 325 1.2%
2021 0.06 335th 337 0.6%
2022 4.03 389th 398 2.3%
2023 10.52 383rd 403 5.0%
2024 9.74 393rd 403 2.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.43 397th 463 14.3%
2019 16.66 411th 488 15.8%
2021 7.99 469th 481 2.5%
2022 15.87 509th 585 13.0%
2023 12.65 545th 602 9.5%
2024 9.62 574th 607 5.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.74 245th 359 31.8%
2019 30.03 261st 369 29.3%
2021 16.63 343rd 364 5.8%
2022 27.74 318th 430 26.0%
2023 22.35 364th 434 16.1%
2024 20.43 385th 437 11.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.96 313th 340 7.9%
2019 21.63 298th 354 15.8%
2021 17.04 337th 370 8.9%
2022 16.61 398th 436 8.7%
2023 16.12 413th 449 8.0%
2024 10.90 440th 454 3.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.28 404th 427 5.4%
2019 8.52 420th 444 5.4%
2023 41.14 317th 537 41.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 659 214 2 0 0 n/a n/a 83 958
1989 864 330 3 1 1 n/a n/a 7 1206
1990 787 330 2 0 1 n/a n/a -11 1109
1991 771 334 4 2 1 n/a n/a 0 1112
1992 733 384 7 3 3 n/a n/a -40 1090
1993 709 417 7 4 2 n/a n/a 0 1139
1994 649 481 8 8 4 n/a n/a 0 1150
1995 549 754 14 30 3 n/a n/a 0 1350
1996 549 754 14 30 3 n/a n/a 0 1350
1997 489 778 14 33 5 n/a n/a 0 1319
1998 431 783 7 32 3 n/a n/a 0 1256
1999 355 689 10 40 3 n/a n/a 0 1097
2000 347 652 8 52 1 n/a n/a 0 1060
2001 367 729 12 108 4 n/a n/a 0 1220
2002 315 950 15 114 3 n/a n/a 0 1397
2003 315 950 15 114 3 n/a n/a 0 1397
2004 293 1048 14 114 2 n/a n/a 0 1471
2005 239 1121 13 134 2 n/a n/a 0 1509
2006 213 1197 7 153 4 n/a n/a 0 1574
2007 169 1155 6 164 2 n/a n/a 24 1520
2008 110 997 10 157 5 n/a n/a 27 1306
2009 71 866 4 184 0 n/a n/a 0 1125
2010 61 845 3 190 2 n/a n/a 0 1101
2011 53 756 2 212 4 2 18 0 1047
2012 56 733 3 235 2 1 17 0 1047
2013 38 667 3 196 1 0 13 0 918
2014 36 678 1 217 4 1 14 0 951
2015 52 876 4 336 1 2 21 0 1292
2016 47 909 5 399 1 1 27 0 1389
2017 48 902 12 468 1 0 31 0 1462
2018 55 818 13 507 1 2 33 0 1429
2019 49 681 10 472 1 2 33 0 1248
2020 41 653 8 509 2 2 40 0 1255
2021 31 596 11 550 2 2 39 0 1231
2022 33 583 12 600 2 3 36 0 1269
2023 34 543 9 643 2 2 50 0 1283
2024 34 587 8 674 3 1 45 0 1352

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 958 61.0 15.7 5.5
1989 1206 71.0 16.9 7.4
1990 1109 91.0 12.1 8.6
1991 1112 81.0 13.7 8.5
1992 1090 87.0 12.5 3.8
1993 1139 77.0 14.8 9
1994 1150 81.0 14.2 10.6
1995 1350 88.0 15.3 13.3
1996 1350 88.0 15.3 13.3
1997 1319 88.0 15.0 23.4
1998 1256 95.0 13.2 14
1999 1097 95.0 11.5 21.4
2000 1060 95.0 11.2 15.6
2001 1220 95.0 12.8 14.5
2002 1397 95.0 14.7 0
2003 1397 95.0 14.7 0
2004 1471 95.0 15.5 32
2005 1509 95.0 15.9 30.7
2006 1574 95.0 16.6 33.8
2007 1520 92.0 16.5 43.2
2008 1306 92.0 14.2 50.7
2009 1125 87.9 12.8 44.2
2010 1101 76.7 14.3 60.9
2011 1047 78.6 13.3 67.2
2012 1047 70.7 14.7 68.4
2013 918 73.7 12.4 75.7
2014 951 70.7 13.4 73.7
2015 1292 90.0 14.3 64.1
2016 1389 89.0 15.6 67.5
2017 1462 90.9 16.0 65.9
2018 1429 86.0 16.6 58.8
2019 1248 82.9 15.0 61
2020 1255 79.3 15.8 99.8
2021 1231 83.0 14.8 99.8
2022 1269 80.0 15.8 99.8
2023 1283 78.6 16.3 99.8
2024 1352 75.1 18.0 99.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 958 61.0 15.7 5.5
1989 1206 71.0 16.9 7.4
1990 1109 91.0 12.1 8.6
1991 1112 81.0 13.7 8.5
1992 1090 87.0 12.5 3.8
1993 1139 77.0 14.8 9
1994 1150 81.0 14.2 10.6
1995 1350 88.0 15.3 13.3
1996 1350 88.0 15.3 13.3
1997 1319 88.0 15.0 23.4
1998 1256 95.0 13.2 14
1999 1097 95.0 11.5 21.4
2000 1060 95.0 11.2 15.6
2001 1220 95.0 12.8 14.5
2002 1397 95.0 14.7 0
2003 1397 95.0 14.7 0
2004 1471 95.0 15.5 32
2005 1509 95.0 15.9 30.7
2006 1574 95.0 16.6 33.8
2007 1520 92.0 16.5 43.2
2008 1306 92.0 14.2 50.7
2009 1125 87.9 12.8 44.2
2010 1101 76.7 14.3 60.9
2011 1047 78.6 13.3 67.2
2012 1047 70.7 14.7 68.4
2013 918 73.7 12.4 75.7
2014 951 70.7 13.4 73.7
2015 1292 90.0 14.3 64.1
2016 1389 89.0 15.6 67.5
2017 1462 90.9 16.0 65.9
2018 1429 86.0 16.6 58.8
2019 1248 82.9 15.0 61
2020 1255 79.3 15.8 99.8
2021 1231 83.0 14.8 99.8
2022 1269 80.0 15.8 99.8
2023 1283 78.6 16.3 99.8
2024 1352 75.1 18.0 99.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $509 (4.5%) $10,923 (95.5%) $11,432

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 444th of 514 High schoolsRanks 555th of 626 High schools
 2.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi)33.430.4
 3%
   End of Course Biology (Durham Public Schools)52.347.5
 4.8%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi)30.929.3
 1.6%
   End of Course English II (Durham Public Schools)51.849.5
 2.3%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi)25.114.7
 10.4%
   End of Course Math I (Durham Public Schools)30.928.6
 2.3%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi)2534.3
 9.3%
   End of Course Math III (Durham Public Schools)37.748.7
 11%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students12481283
 2.8%
African American681543
 20.3%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian109
 10%
Hispanic472643
 36.2%
Pacific Islander22
White4934
 30.6%
Two or More Races3350
 51.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients61%99.8%
 38.8%


Schools Near Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi









Frequently Asked Questions about Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,352 students attended Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi.

Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Merrick-Moore Elementary
Elementary : Oak Grove Elementary
Elementary : Spring Valley Elementary
Elementary : Y E Smith Elementary
Middle : Neal Middle

Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi ranks in the bottom 5.6% of North Carolina high schools.

Students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi are 50% Hispanic, 43% African American, 3% Two or more races, 3% White.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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