Durham Academy

🎒🌍 Oh, the places you'll go!
This year’s Cavalier Capstones took rising 10th–12th graders on unforgettable journeys across campus and around the globe.

From hiking in Peru 🇵🇪 to researching civil justice ⚖️ and serving local communities in NC 💚, these one-week immersive studies made a real impact.

📸 Take a look back at the adventures, discoveries and service that defined this year’s Capstones!

Capstones pictured from left to right:
Peru
National Parks
Civil Rights
Tuscany
Civil War Battlefields
Immigrant Kitchen
Movie Trailers
Careers in Athletics
Taiwan
Sustainable Sewing
Outdoor Service Expedition

🎓✨ Mastered it! Fourth grade teacher Ann Laros recently earned a Master’s in School Counseling from Southeastern Oklahoma State University — just one more step in her professional journey to supporting her students' Moral, Happy and Productive development.

"This degree not only deepens my ability to connect with students on a more meaningful level, but it also strengthens my skills as an educator, allowing me to create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment. With this added expertise, I feel more equipped to advocate for student needs and foster their overall well-being alongside their academic growth here at Durham Academy." — Ann Laros

We aren’t finished celebrating the Class of 2025. These recent graduates will carry on the Durham Academy legacy and bring their mindset to 61 different colleges and universities.

DA’s newest alumni reflected on their time these last few years, from the lasting relationships they forged to the unforgettable experiences that impacted their time at DA. Read more about all 115 graduates at da.org/graduation.

Pictured: Grayson Auman, Zeke Kalla, Hardit Bhutani, Eva Dimon, Troy White, Erin Lee, Will Putman, Lucia Sullivan, Nicholas Wang, Rina Bolognesi, Will H. Hunter

Before you live your best summer life, don’t miss one last chance to celebrate the Class of 2025, catch up on Closing Exercises, freshen up on summer reading assignments and remind yourself of key dates in the 2025–2026 school year! Find photos and information in your inbox with this week's edition of News & Notes.

Congratulations to third-grade teacher Erika Kim! This spring, she earned her Master of Education in Elementary Education — with a concentration in Anti-Racism in Urban Education — from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Alongside this already impressive accomplishment, Kim also earned an Anti-Racism graduate certificate. We are so excited to see what she accomplishes next at Durham Academy, as she takes her skills and expertise to her added position as a Lower School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator.

A first-generation college student, Kim considers herself to be a lifelong learner — just like her DA students. "So continuing my education was not only a priority for me, but something I was excited about!" she said.

⏰ It takes seven minutes to read about Durham Academy Summer and DA students diving headlong into summer experiences.

🗓️ In less than one week, campers from across the Triangle will descend upon Ridge Road for another installment of Durham Academy Summer.

💚 And in no time at all, DA students are ready for Moral, Happy, Productive experiences.

Hear from two Upper Schoolers and one recent alumna about their plans to make the coming months unforgettable — and the magic that keeps DA Summer campers coming back for more — at https://www.da.org/about/newsroom/news-post/~board/news/post/da-summer-and-da-students-are-ready-for-another-magical-summer

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈
We wish you a month of pride, togetherness and community as you celebrate and honor LGBTQ+ identities this month!

Originally a one-day celebration that began after the Stonewall riots in 1969, recognizes the impact of the LGBTQ+ community locally and nationally.

🏳️‍🌈 Visit https://www.discoverdurham.com/blog/out-and-wonderful-durham-pride-all-year-long/ to read 's "Out and Wonderful: Durham Pride All Year Long" to learn about Durham's LGBTQ+ history and community, as well as local events happening year-round!

One week ago today, we ushered in the newest Durham Academy alumni, a group defined in part by its collective strength, kindness, authenticity and creativity. We are so proud and excited for these new graduates who are ready to take on their next adventures! Find photos from commencement (including a goofy one of a guy in tube socks) at https://durhamacademy.smugmug.com/Commencement-2025

Feel the rhythm!
Feel the rhyme!
Get on up!
It’s Durham Academy Lower School Cheerleading time!

Yes: DA has a Lower School cheerleading team, and it is glorious. It practices every Monday as part of an After-School Enrichment class that fourth grade teacher Ann Laros started in the fall of 2022.

They mean business. The team of 26 second graders through fourth graders has internalized more than 20 unique cheers, all of which end with a thunderous “Goooooooooooo Cavs!”

And they’re spreading school spirit far and wide. Over the course of a busy weekend, the team made appearances at the All-School Family Festival and a DA girls soccer game — and even summoned a rainbow.

Rah-Rah-Rah right over to https://www.da.org/about/newsroom/news-post/~board/news/post/behind-the-scenes-with-the-lower-school-cheerleaders to read more!

For more than three decades, Fernandas “Mac” McDonald has been an indispensable member of Durham Academy’s facilities team. His place in the hearts of DA students and faculty — who never turn down the chance to wave and say hello when they see him around campus — is unquestioned. On a recent morning, videographer Jesse Paddock accompanied McDonald on his rounds to see why McDonald is universally beloved on Ridge Road.

A Morning in the Life of Mac McDonald, Maintenance Team Extraordinaire This is "A Morning in the Life of Mac McDonald, Maintenance Team Extraordinaire" by Durham Academy on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people…

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the courageous individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Durham Academy is closed today in observance. 🇺🇸

🎓💥 Seniors, it’s your last chance to rock out before graduation — and we’re going BIG. 💥🎓

🔥 IN THE POCKET presents:
🎉 PRE-GRADUATION PARTY
📍 Motorco Music Hall | 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham
📅 This Thursday, May 22
🕖 Doors @ 7 p.m. | Show @ 7:30 p.m.
🎟️ FREE | ALL AGES

Seniors: Bring your fam, your friends, your energy.
Faculty & underclassmen: If you’re exam-free Friday morning, you’ve got no excuse!

Let’s send off the Class of 2025 with a BANG! 🎶🎤💃