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Duke School is an independent preschool through eighth grade project-based school located in Durham, NC since 1947.
Early Childhood
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.
Lower School
K through Grade 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.
Middle School
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.
497
Total Enrollment
1947
School Founded
7:1
Student/Faculty Ratio
39%
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.
Upcoming Events
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.
Marisa Rauwald ‘12 reflects on her career in sports broadcast jouralism and foundations built at Duke School
A Q&A with Marki Watson, Lower School Art Teacher, and Beth Harris, Fourth Grade Teacher reflecting on 25 years at Duke School.