Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi

www.Southern.dpsnc.net/

1,384 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

The **Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (SSES)**, located in Durham, North Carolina, is a specialized magnet high school within the Durham Public Schools district. The school is built around a unique interdisciplinary model that integrates rigorous academic study with a focus on environmental stewardship, green technology, and sustainable engineering. By partnering with local industry leaders and educational institutions, SSES provides students with hands-on learning experiences, including opportunities for internships and certifications that prepare them for both higher education and the modern "green" workforce.

The school’s curriculum is distinctively project-based, encouraging students to solve real-world problems related to energy efficiency, renewable resources, and urban sustainability. Beyond its academic mission, SSES promotes a culture of innovation and community responsibility, aiming to produce graduates who are not only college-ready but also socially conscious leaders capable of addressing global climate and energy challenges. Its location on the campus of Southern School of Engineering of Arts (SEA) allows for a collaborative environment where students can explore the intersection of technology, science, and the humanities.

1,384

Total Students

65.3

Full-Time Teachers

21.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

99.8%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi
Demographic	Student Count
White	32
Hispanic	668
Black	624
Asian	7
Two or More	46
American Indian	4
Pacific Islander	3

Hispanic
668 (48.3%)
Black
624 (45.1%)
Two or More
46 (3.3%)
White
32 (2.3%)
Asian
7 (0.5%)
American Indian
4 (0.3%)
Pacific Islander
3 (0.2%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Durham Public Schools
Phone:	(919)560-3968
Website:	http://www.Southern.dpsnc.net/
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	1,384
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	65.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	21.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	1,381
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 9 458

Grade 10 356

Grade 11 313

Grade 12 257