Welcome to Duke School

Dear Friends & Families,

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

As we finish our 75th anniversary year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the journey we have embarked upon together. It has been a remarkable year filled with celebrations, achievements, and unforgettable memories. Today, I invite you to reflect with me on our accomplishments and cast our gaze toward the future.

Our theme for the 2023-2024 school year is "Think BIG." It encapsulates the spirit and ambition that have propelled Duke School to great heights over the past seven and a half decades. As an independent school, we have always dared to dream, embraced innovation, and fostered a culture of continuous learning. With "Think BIG," we reaffirm our commitment to pushing the boundaries of education, setting new standards, and preparing our students to thrive in an ever-changing world.

The upcoming year holds incredible promise and potential. Construction continues for the Center for IDEAS, a building that will be the heartbeat of our campus, serving our students, teachers, families, and the community in exciting, innovative ways now and for decades to come. Our faculty, staff, and dedicated community members have been hard at work crafting exciting initiatives that will shape the educational landscape at Duke School, so we can continue to be the leading progressive, project-based school that we are known to be. We are investing in the tools and strategies that will empower our students to become fearless, lifelong learners.

As we embark on another year, we will build upon the strong foundation that has been laid before us. Our focus will be on nurturing critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and compassion—the pillars of a Duke School education. We will encourage our students to ask big questions, pursue audacious goals, and embrace the joy of learning. By challenging ourselves and each other, we will create a dynamic, engaging environment that fosters growth and development in every child. I invite you to join me in embracing the "Think BIG" spirit. Let us push boundaries, explore uncharted territories, and ignite a passion for learning that will propel our students toward a future filled with infinite possibilities.

We encourage you to spend time discovering what makes our school so special through our website and that you visit campus to see the wonders of our program for yourself. We hope to see you soon. 

Here's to an extraordinary year ahead.

Warmly, 

Lisa Nagel

Head of School