Welcome to Duke School

Dear Friends & Families,

On behalf of all of us at Duke School, welcome to our school.

Each year at Duke School, we identify a theme that captures the spirit of our learning community. Spark What’s Next, our school-wide theme for 2025-2026, is a powerful reflection of all that’s possible when our students are truly known, supported, and challenged to think deeply and boldly.

At Duke School, a spark is the moment curiosity ignites—a question, connection, or idea that inspires deeper thinking and meaningful action. In every corner of campus, from Preschool investigations to Eighth-grade Capstone projects, students are asking big questions, engaged in joyful discovery, and growing in ways that prepare them not just for what’s next in school, but for what’s next in life.

Spark What’s Next speaks to the confidence and creativity our students develop through purposeful, project-based learning. It invites us to take notice of the wonder of teaching and learning around us, coalesce that momentum as a community, and look forward, together, with excitement and intention.

We are excited to invite you to discover what makes Duke School such a special place—start by exploring our website, then come visit our campus to experience the joy and wonder of our program in person. Also, we are thrilled to invite you to learn more about our new Center for IDEAS, which we opened last year. This state-of-the-art, 14,000-square-foot facility is designed to foster innovation, discovery, equity, the arts, and social justice.

Your continued support is invaluable, and we are truly grateful to have you as an essential part of the Duke School community. We’re looking forward to partnering with you in this journey, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

Warmly, 

Lisa Nagel

Head of School

What we do matters

Faculty member standing with early education students at Duke School, our top project-based school in North Carolina
Students standing together at science fair at Duke School, our best project based school in North Carolina
Three early education students standing together outside at Duke School, our project based elementary school in Cary NC
Faculty member reading to students in library at Duke School, our middle school project based learning in Orange County NC
Three students learning in classroom at Duke School, our project based learning school in Chapel Hill NC
Faculty member with three early education students at Duke School, our project based learning for middle school in Raleigh NC
Three lower school students sitting inside classroom at Duke School, our project based learning middle school in Durham NC
Faculty member and student standing together at Duke School, our project based school in North Carolina
Lower school students standing outside at Duke School, our project based school in North Carolina

School leadership

  • Annie Gentithes, Middle School Director
  • Cherie Bowen, Early Childhood Division and Admissions Director
  • Heather Greene, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development
  • Kimberly Shaw, Director of Equity, Justice, & Belonging
  • Maryssa Cappelletti, Director of Enrollment Management & Strategic Marketing 
  • Russell Rabinowitz, Director of Finance & Operations
  • Shenise Foote, Director of Development
  • Steven Mercado, Lower School Director

Board of Trustees