James E Shepard Middle

www.shepard.dpsnc.net/

381 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

James E. Shepard Middle School, located in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, is a key component of the Durham Public Schools district. Serving a diverse student population, the school focuses on fostering a supportive and rigorous academic environment that prepares students for the transition to high school. By emphasizing core subjects alongside character development, the school aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are equipped to succeed in an evolving global community.

Beyond the classroom, Shepard Middle School is deeply connected to the legacy of its namesake, Dr. James E. Shepard, the founder of North Carolina Central University. This connection inspires a school culture rooted in the values of leadership, community engagement, and academic excellence. The school offers various extracurricular programs and community-focused initiatives that encourage students to explore their interests, build meaningful relationships, and take an active role in the Durham community.

381

Total Students

31.6

Full-Time Teachers

12.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

109.4%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for James E Shepard Middle
Demographic	Student Count
White	9
Hispanic	126
Black	235
Asian	2
Two or More	9

Black
235 (61.7 %)
Hispanic
126 (33.1 %)
White
9 (2.4 %)
Two or More
9 (2.4 %)
Asian
2 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Durham Public Schools
Phone:	(919)560-3938
Website:	http://www.shepard.dpsnc.net/
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	381
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	31.6
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	12.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	417
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 129

Grade 7 117

Grade 8 135