Durham Charter School Earned B Performance Grade
The institution reached a top 1 percent state ranking for academic growth in the 2025-2026 school year.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Durham Charter School secured a B performance grade from the state for the 2025-2026 school year. The school also achieved an academic growth score of 99.7 percent, placing it in the top 1 percent of all public schools in North Carolina.
Why it matters
School leadership focused on improving academic performance and school culture to ensure the institution remained open. These efforts represent a significant turnaround from the school's historical status, which saw it facing closure after receiving an F grade in 2017.
The school currently serves 1,350 students with a waitlist of 800 applicants. Approximately 90 percent of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch, and more than 400 students are English as a Second Language learners.
The players
Alex Quigley
He has served as the executive director of the school since 2017 and is responsible for the school's academic turnaround efforts.
Durham Charter School
It is a public charter school located in Durham, North Carolina, that serves 1,350 students.
The details
Teachers implemented year-round preparation for state-mandated End of Grade tests to drive improvement. These instructional changes were paired with new accountability measures for students to foster a more rigorous academic environment.
Timeline
October 2017: Alex Quigley became the school executive director.
February 2021: The school received a D grade from the state.
2022: The school earned a C grade from the state.
Spring 2026: The high school held its first graduation ceremony.
2025-2026 school year: The school earned a B performance grade.
Culture Shift
The school's transition highlights a shift in focus toward standardized test preparation and rigorous accountability measures. This evolution reflects a broader trend of charter schools seeking to improve academic metrics to justify their continued operation within state frameworks.
Parents and prospective students must account for the high demand reflected in the 800-person waitlist when considering future enrollment. The academic turnaround may also increase the school's standing as a viable education option for families within the local Durham community.
The takeaway
The school's journey from a failing grade to a top-tier growth ranking illustrates the potential impact of dedicated leadership and targeted curriculum changes. Sustained academic growth requires consistent application of the tested preparation strategies across the entire student population.
Further reading
Learn more about the academic environment in Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS17.
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