Duke School is an independent Preschool through Eighth grade project-based school located in Durham, NC since 1947.
Preschool (Ages 3 & 4) and Kindergarten
Our Early Childhood program is for students aged three years old through Kindergarten, providing a full day of developmentally appropriate experiences designed to advance each child's cognitive, language, emotional, and motor skills.
Grades 1-4
In our Lower School program, we maintain a small teacher-student ratio to allow for teachers to respect students' individual differences and set challenging but achievable goals for each student.
Grade 5 to 8
It is with understanding of and respect for young adolescents that we design our Middle School around their characteristics and needs, enabling each student to develop intellectually and personally.
Total Enrollment
School Founded
Student/Faculty Ratio
Students of Color
We inspire learners to boldly and creatively shape their future. Our students not only master skills of traditional academic disciplines, but they also develop a sense of self, community, and culture.
We are thrilled to invite our community—and friends beyond— to explore everything Duke School in the new 2025 issue of our annual magazine, Under The Oak. “Spark What’s Next”—this school year’s theme—revisits the memorable moments of the year and the bright future it brings to our students, igniting their sparks in creativity, project work, and learning.
After an extensive national search, Duke School is thrilled to announce that Annie Gentithes has been named the next Middle School Director. A respected educator and leader at Duke School for 15 years, Annie brings a deep commitment to progressive education, equity, and innovation, making her the ideal choice to lead the middle school into its next chapter.
Join second-grade teacher Dan Heuser and Duke School to learn about elevating project work through experience. Dan is sharing his study through the John Watson Moore Grant he got this summer and introducing the world of cob house building to his class, bringing their "Garden Helpers" project onto a new level.
We are excited to announce the new 2024 issue of our Duke School Magazine Under The Oak and our school's theme for the 2024-2025 school year - "Building Belonging" - an essential aspect of our students' success and well-being.
Duke School's reflection on hiring Heather O'Reilly, the three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and the three-time World Cup medalist, as a head soccer coach for girls and their fascinating and successful spring athletic season.
We are Thinking BIG for the 2023-24 school year!
Head of School Lisa Nagel shares an update about our Director of Development search.
After a national search, Duke School looks ahead to an exciting future on our Lower School campus.
A historic $1,000,000 Gift will Endow the Scholarship for Equity in Education at Duke School.
Exciting updates in our Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Belonging work.
![Under the Oak 2025 - Read the New Issue of Duke School's Annual Magazine]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1756258224/dukeschoolorg/pkgdgyk5ew07ue20cgqy/UndertheOak2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1756258224/dukeschoolorg/pkgdgyk5ew07ue20cgqy/UndertheOak2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1756258224/dukeschoolorg/pkgdgyk5ew07ue20cgqy/UndertheOak2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1756258224/dukeschoolorg/pkgdgyk5ew07ue20cgqy/UndertheOak2025.jpg","width":961}])
![Duke School Announces Annie Gentithes as Next Middle School Director]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739301329/dukeschoolorg/hlmxfud5rqbmx3qwncqd/Annie_website.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739301329/dukeschoolorg/hlmxfud5rqbmx3qwncqd/Annie_website.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739301329/dukeschoolorg/hlmxfud5rqbmx3qwncqd/Annie_website.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739301329/dukeschoolorg/hlmxfud5rqbmx3qwncqd/Annie_website.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1739301329/dukeschoolorg/hlmxfud5rqbmx3qwncqd/Annie_website.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1739301329/dukeschoolorg/hlmxfud5rqbmx3qwncqd/Annie_website.jpg","width":2200}])
![How 2nd Grade Teacher Dan is Elevating Project Work Through Experience]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731687975/dukeschoolorg/imwe5smnyera2jiyfibp/CobbwallBuildingSecondGrade2nd202432.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731687975/dukeschoolorg/imwe5smnyera2jiyfibp/CobbwallBuildingSecondGrade2nd202432.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731687975/dukeschoolorg/imwe5smnyera2jiyfibp/CobbwallBuildingSecondGrade2nd202432.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1731687975/dukeschoolorg/imwe5smnyera2jiyfibp/CobbwallBuildingSecondGrade2nd202432.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1731687975/dukeschoolorg/imwe5smnyera2jiyfibp/CobbwallBuildingSecondGrade2nd202432.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1731687975/dukeschoolorg/imwe5smnyera2jiyfibp/CobbwallBuildingSecondGrade2nd202432.jpg","width":2200}])
![Under the Oak - New 2024 Issue of Duke School's Magazine]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724770143/dukeschoolorg/nl6mfdo9ub2lgmxktwvt/UTO2024UPDATED3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724770143/dukeschoolorg/nl6mfdo9ub2lgmxktwvt/UTO2024UPDATED3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724770143/dukeschoolorg/nl6mfdo9ub2lgmxktwvt/UTO2024UPDATED3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1724770143/dukeschoolorg/nl6mfdo9ub2lgmxktwvt/UTO2024UPDATED3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724770143/dukeschoolorg/nl6mfdo9ub2lgmxktwvt/UTO2024UPDATED3.jpg","width":1545}])
![Reaching Goals Together. Welcoming Heather O'Reilly to Coach Duke School's Girls Soccer Team]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706804603/dukeschoolorg/mgggndgero7ew0crn63q/GirlsSoccer2023HeatherOReilly1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706804603/dukeschoolorg/mgggndgero7ew0crn63q/GirlsSoccer2023HeatherOReilly1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1706804603/dukeschoolorg/mgggndgero7ew0crn63q/GirlsSoccer2023HeatherOReilly1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1706804603/dukeschoolorg/mgggndgero7ew0crn63q/GirlsSoccer2023HeatherOReilly1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1706804603/dukeschoolorg/mgggndgero7ew0crn63q/GirlsSoccer2023HeatherOReilly1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1706804603/dukeschoolorg/mgggndgero7ew0crn63q/GirlsSoccer2023HeatherOReilly1.jpg","width":2200}])
![Think BIG, Duke School!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1692986185/dukeschoolorg/wnkp2olggmtlxdgbw2ix/UndertheOak2023FINAL5.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1692986185/dukeschoolorg/wnkp2olggmtlxdgbw2ix/UndertheOak2023FINAL5.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1692986185/dukeschoolorg/wnkp2olggmtlxdgbw2ix/UndertheOak2023FINAL5.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1692986185/dukeschoolorg/wnkp2olggmtlxdgbw2ix/UndertheOak2023FINAL5.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1692986185/dukeschoolorg/wnkp2olggmtlxdgbw2ix/UndertheOak2023FINAL5.png","width":1545}])
![An update about our Director of Development search]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1681915582/dukeschoolorg/zn73vdccixdqvy5gknrc/SheniseFoote.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1681915582/dukeschoolorg/zn73vdccixdqvy5gknrc/SheniseFoote.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1681915582/dukeschoolorg/zn73vdccixdqvy5gknrc/SheniseFoote.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1681915582/dukeschoolorg/zn73vdccixdqvy5gknrc/SheniseFoote.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1681915582/dukeschoolorg/zn73vdccixdqvy5gknrc/SheniseFoote.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1681915582/dukeschoolorg/zn73vdccixdqvy5gknrc/SheniseFoote.jpg","width":2200}])
![An exciting update on our Next Lower School Director]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1680703211/dukeschoolorg/kohxkmcjnpsnvihkzmwt/LSdirectorsearch.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1680703211/dukeschoolorg/kohxkmcjnpsnvihkzmwt/LSdirectorsearch.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1680703211/dukeschoolorg/kohxkmcjnpsnvihkzmwt/LSdirectorsearch.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1680703211/dukeschoolorg/kohxkmcjnpsnvihkzmwt/LSdirectorsearch.png","width":1080}])
![A $1,000,000 Gift will Endow the Scholarship for Equity in Education at Duke School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1666799031/dukeschoolorg/plejer0u2wckbaozbgx9/Fifth_Grade_Values_Project_Oct_202224copy_Linda.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1666799031/dukeschoolorg/plejer0u2wckbaozbgx9/Fifth_Grade_Values_Project_Oct_202224copy_Linda.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1666799031/dukeschoolorg/plejer0u2wckbaozbgx9/Fifth_Grade_Values_Project_Oct_202224copy_Linda.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1666799031/dukeschoolorg/plejer0u2wckbaozbgx9/Fifth_Grade_Values_Project_Oct_202224copy_Linda.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1666799031/dukeschoolorg/plejer0u2wckbaozbgx9/Fifth_Grade_Values_Project_Oct_202224copy_Linda.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1666799031/dukeschoolorg/plejer0u2wckbaozbgx9/Fifth_Grade_Values_Project_Oct_202224copy_Linda.jpg","width":2200}])
![DEJB Updates: Scholarship for Equity in Education & The Duke School Teaching Fellows Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664462971/dukeschoolorg/nyl4zj96v6op3qbu8ope/5th_Grade_Guest_Expert_Sheila_Turnage3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1664462971/dukeschoolorg/nyl4zj96v6op3qbu8ope/5th_Grade_Guest_Expert_Sheila_Turnage3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1664462971/dukeschoolorg/nyl4zj96v6op3qbu8ope/5th_Grade_Guest_Expert_Sheila_Turnage3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1664462971/dukeschoolorg/nyl4zj96v6op3qbu8ope/5th_Grade_Guest_Expert_Sheila_Turnage3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1664462971/dukeschoolorg/nyl4zj96v6op3qbu8ope/5th_Grade_Guest_Expert_Sheila_Turnage3.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1664462971/dukeschoolorg/nyl4zj96v6op3qbu8ope/5th_Grade_Guest_Expert_Sheila_Turnage3.jpg","width":2200}])