we are thinking big for our future

For 75 years, Duke School has pioneered student-led collaborative learning through our innovative curriculum. We are so proud of the school we have built, but we are not done growing, aspiring, and evolving. Our lack of space has hindered our ability to deepen our model, evolve our best practices and remain on the cutting edge of curricular excellence.

To sustain our bold vision to be a school of equity, innovation, and education, we must provide our students and teachers with the tools and environments they need to make the world a better place and to:

We have responded to this critical need with the planning and construction of the Center for IDEAS that will open at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. The Center for IDEAS will fill critical infrastructure needs and create spaces for our students to explore self-discovery, creative expression, design thinking, social entrepreneurship, and innovative technologies. It will also offer our school and the Durham community a home for programming around learning for justice, equity, and belonging.

Investing in the future of Duke School

In 2021, we launched Imagine More: The Campaign for Duke School to build and unlock the creative potential of Duke School students with the building of the new Center for IDEAS. The Imagine More Campaign supports an ambitious vision that will ensure we continue to prepare students to contribute meaningfully to a changing world.

Duke School has had many families step forward in the early phase of the Imagine More Campaign with generous gifts to support the Center for IDEAS. These contributions reflect a deep belief in the transformative impact the Center will have by creating early-life opportunities for our students to explore creative self-expression. Additionally, these gifts help us strengthen our connections to the greater Durham community, fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment where ideas and innovation can thrive. We are immensely grateful for the support that will help shape the future of our students and our community.

Thanks to their support, we have raised 85% of our goal and are excited to invite the entire Duke School community to learn more about how to help us reach our goal.