Welcome to Duke School
Duke School is an independent Preschool (three-year-olds) through Eighth grade project-based school in Durham, North Carolina.
Learning here starts with a question. Through project work, children investigate real problems, test their thinking against evidence, and build something they can explain and defend — learning to think critically, collaborate, and communicate in the process. And because every child is known here, they take those intellectual risks with the confidence that someone is paying attention.
Duke School's approach has served as a model for public and independent schools across the Triangle and beyond for decades — which means the teachers in your child's classroom are the ones other educators come to observe.
Our Mission & Core Values
Excellence in education since 1947
- In 2014, The New York Times featured Duke School for being one of the few private schools on the East Coast to have a successful financial assistance strategy and offer an Indexed Tuition program.
- We are committed to engaging in the continuing public dialogue to improve education for all young people.
- Today, Duke School is nationally renowned.
- Duke School has made a particular contribution to the Durham community by producing outstanding students who are independent learners, thinkers, and decision makers helping to create a better future both for Durham and communities beyond Durham.
- Duke School has also helped raise consciousness about education in the Durham community and provided the expertise of its extraordinary teachers for other local schools.
ACCREDITATION & MEMBERSHIPS
- Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
- North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS)
- North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (NCMLE)
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
- Durham Chamber of Commerce