Durham Public Schools

Life gets busy – but if you missed the first DPS lottery application, it’s not too late for some programs! The Late Application Period is now open, giving families another opportunity to apply for select year-round, Montessori, dual-language immersion, international baccalaureate, online, early college, and CTE programs with additional seats available across elementary, middle, and high schools.

Apply now to:

✔️ Find the right fit for your student’s interests and learning style
✔️ Explore unique programs, from year-round schools to dual-language, IB, and CTE pathways
✔️ Seats are limited – requests are processed first-come, first-served!

Act fast! Deadlines are approaching:

June 30 – Year-round and Early College Schools
July 31 – Traditional Calendar Schools

Get more information and submit your late application request today by visiting https://www.dpsnc.net/page/late-lottery-application.

Have questions? Call the Office of Student Assignment at (919) 560-2059 or the Multilingual Resource Center at (919) 560-2510.

Don’t miss this last chance to explore exciting school options for your child! Apply now and start the school year with confidence.

Summer break is here, but support is always available. 💙

Durham Public Schools wants families to know that mental health resources remain available throughout the summer for students and caregivers who may need support.

Whether a young person is experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, family conflict, or a mental health crisis, help is available.

Resources include:
✅ 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline (call, text, or chat 988)
✅ North Carolina Crisis Services
✅ Mobile Crisis Teams
✅ Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Community Crisis Centers
✅ North Carolina Peer Warmline
✅ NAMI North Carolina Youth & Family Resources

We encourage families to review these resources now so they know where to turn if support is needed during the summer months.

🔗 View the full list of resources: https://bit.ly/4ohzAcL

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

🌟 National recognition for a Durham Public Schools standout! 🌟

Congratulations to Southern School of Energy and Sustainability on being selected as one of just eight schools in the nation to participate in the Smithsonian STEAM Schools of Distinction program!

This prestigious three-year initiative recognizes schools that take a whole-school approach to integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) into teaching and learning. Southern's selection reflects the innovative work happening every day to prepare students for college, careers and beyond.

Learn more about the initiative at https://bit.ly/4yDgrqo

Interested in becoming part of this nationally recognized school community? Late lottery applications for Southern School of Energy and Sustainability are open through July 31!

Learn more and apply today: https://www.dpsnc.net/magnet

Congratulations to the students, staff and school community on this incredible national honor! 💙💛

Fill That Bus Is Back for Its 25th Year!

Help Durham Public Schools students and teachers start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. Now through August 14, the DPS Foundation's Crayons2Calculators program is celebrating the 25th annual Fill That Bus campaign, bringing our community together to stock classrooms across every DPS school.

You can make a difference by donating school supplies, making a financial gift, hosting a supply drive, or volunteering. Every donation helps ensure students arrive ready to learn and teachers have the tools they need to support them.

Learn more and find ways to get involved at fillthatbus.org.

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education has approved Central Services leadership and school administrator appointments for the 2026-27 school year. Appointments include:

Dr. Rodney Lofton – Interim Chief of Human Resources
Emmet Alexander – Director, High School Curriculum & Instruction
Matthew Hunt – Principal, Northern High School
Andrea Carroll – Interim Principal, Oak Grove Elementary
Holly Emmanuel – Interim Principal, Glenn Elementary
Elizabeth Shearer – Interim Principal, Sandy Ridge Elementary
Myron Wilson – Interim Principal, C.C. Spaulding Elementary

Read more at https://www.dpsnc.net/article/3041170

Looking for a flexible learning option for your child? 💻📚

Durham Public Schools’ Ignite! Online Academy still has seats available for grades K–12 through the late lottery application process.

Ignite! may be a great fit for students and families who:
✔ Thrive in an online learning environment
✔ Need greater scheduling flexibility
✔ Prefer learning from home
✔ Benefit from a more personalized pace and structure
✔ Want to remain connected to Durham Public Schools while learning virtually

Students at Ignite! receive instruction from DPS educators while participating in a full online school experience designed to support academic growth and engagement.

⏰ The late lottery application deadline is July 31.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.dpsnc.net/o/igniteacademy

Durham Public Schools year-round schools officially kicked off the 2026-27 school year today, welcoming scholars back for an exciting first day of learning at our year-round schools! Campuses were filled with smiling faces, reunions among friends, and the energy of new beginnings as students settled into their classrooms. We are grateful to our families, educators, staff, and community for helping make the first day a success, and we look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and achievement.

Applications are now open for the Durham Public Schools Parent Ambassador Program!

Are you passionate about supporting public education and helping share the good news about Durham Public Schools? Become a DPS Parent Ambassador!

Parent Ambassadors amplify the success of the district, share resources with families, and help share information about the many opportunities available across our district.

Make a difference in your school community and your local public schools! Apply now to become a Parent Ambassador.

Application deadline: Friday, Aug. 14, at 5 p.m.

Apply today: https://forms.gle/CxRGx7jLZANaiwG48

¡Todavía quedan espacios disponibles para estudiantes hispanohablantes en los programas de inmersión lingüística dual (DLI) de las Escuelas Públicas de Durham para primaria y secundaria! 🌎📚

Para los estudiantes que ya hablan español en casa, los programas de inmersión dual DLI (por sus siglas en inglés) ayudan a reforzar las habilidades de lectura y escritura tanto en español como en inglés, al mismo tiempo que fomentan la confianza en el salón de clase, el rendimiento académico y las ventajas del bilingüismo a largo plazo. Los estudiantes también tienen la oportunidad de conservar y celebrar su idioma y cultura de origen en un entorno de aprendizaje que les brinda todo el apoyo necesario.

Las familias aún pueden presentar su solicitud a través del plazo de inscripción tardío:

📆 El plazo de solicitud para los programas de todo el año finaliza el 30 de junio.
📆 El plazo de solicitud para los programas con calendario tradicional finaliza el 31 de julio.

Presente su solicitud aquí: https://bit.ly/4o01Mkv

El bilingüismo es una ventaja, – y en las Escuelas Publicas de Durham nos enorgullece ayudar a los estudiantes a desarrollarlo cada día.💙

There are still seats available for Spanish-speaking students in Durham Public Schools Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs for elementary and middle school! 🌎📚

For students who already speak Spanish at home, DLI programs help strengthen literacy skills in both Spanish and English while building classroom confidence, academic achievement, and long-term bilingual advantages. Students also gain the opportunity to maintain and celebrate their home language and culture in a supportive learning environment.

Families can still apply through the late lottery application:

📆 Year-round program applications close June 30
📆 Traditional calendar program applications close July 31

Apply here: https://bit.ly/4o01Mkv

Bilingualism is a strength – and DPS is proud to help students grow it every day. 💙