Humanities and Arts (información en español) 

While all DPS Elementary Schools provide both Visual Arts and Music at least weekly and many secondary schools provide courses in a variety of visual and performing arts, some magnet schools provide specialized instruction in the Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts.

2023-24 School Year

Elementary Schools 

Club Blvd Elementary School (program will transition to DLI starting in the 24-25 school year)

Club Blvd provides integrated arts and culture throughout the core curriculum, provides art, dance, music, and cultural studies special classes

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade: Kindergarten 

Attendance zone: NO

Sibling Priority: YES–siblings of current students have priority seating

Transportation: District-wide

Contact for program questions: Alicia Butler (alicia_butler@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3918 

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Holt Elementary School (OPERATES ON THE YEAR-ROUND CALENDAR will transition to DLI and traditional calendar in the 2024-25 school year)

Holt is a language academy providing all students with instruction in Spanish or Mandarin Chinese in grades K-5. The curriculum is enhanced with the study of global humanities and culture.  

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade: Kindergarten–Former Pre-K students must enter the lottery 

Attendance zone: YES–no lottery application required in attendance zone

Lottery zone: YES–students who reside in the attendance zones of Eastway, Glenn, Little RIver Mangum, Merrick-Moore, Oak Grove, and Spring Valley 

Sibling Priority: YES–siblings of current students have priority seating

Transportation: Regional only—students who reside in the attendance zones of Eastway, Glenn, Little RIver Mangum, Merrick-Moore, and Spring Valley 

Contact for program questions: Anita Jarrett (anita_jarrett@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3928 

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Sandy Ridge Elementary School (school will transition to a neighborhood school starting in the 24-25 school year)

Sandy Ridge Provides integrated visual and performing arts throughout the core curriculum including work with visiting artists. Students engage with visual and performing arts events within the community. Students receive instruction in music, visual art, dance, and theater. 

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade:Kindergarten–Former Pre-K students must enter the lottery 

Attendance Zone: NO

Sibling priority: YES–sibling of an attending student has priority seating

Other Priority: Students that reside in attendance zones for Mangum, Eno Valley, Little River, Easley, Holt, Hillandale, and Glenn

Transportation: Regional–only those that reside in attendance zones for Mangum, Eno Valley, Little River, Easley, Holt, Hillandale, and Glenn

Contact for program questions: Carolyn Allen (carolyn_allen@dpsnc.net) 919-560-2695 x69057 

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R.N. Harris Elementary School (school will transition to neighborhood school starting in the 24-25 school year)

RN Harris uses the A+ Schools model to integrate arts into all core learning. Student arts learning experience includes Suzuki violin, dance, African drumming, and chorus. 

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade: Kindergarten–Former Pre-K students must enter the lottery 

Attendance Zone: NO

Sibling priority: YES–sibling of an attending student has priority seating

Transportation: District-wide

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Secondary Schools (grades 6-12)

Durham School of the Arts 

DSA is focused on academic rigor and excellence in traditional visual and performing arts disciplines. Students may concentrate in chorus, band, orchestra, piano, or guitar; dance; acting, or technical theater; painting, drawing, clay, sculpture, or photography; writing through literature, newspaper, or yearbook; and game design, digital media, or film. 

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade: 6th 

Attendance zone: NO

Sibling priority: NO

Transportation: District-wide

Sports: has its own competitive sports teams

Contact for program questions: Ntianu Nkenge (ntianu_nkenge@dpsnc.net) 919-560-2695 x69057

Sign up for an in-person tour here

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The School for Creative Studies (OPERATES ON A YEAR ROUND CALENDAR)

SCS focuses on the 4C’s: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Community. The school uses the Habits of Mind framework to develop creative and collaborative problem solving skills using the approach of design thinking. Students can take courses in digital music and audio production; digital media and design; computer science and coding; architecture, engineering, and 3D design; theater arts; video production; and creative entrepreneurship. 

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade: 6th 

Attendance zone: NO

Sibling priority: YES–siblings of current students have priority seating

Transportation: District-wide express stops are provided in the morning (group stops that may not be within walking distance of the home) and neighborhood bus stops (within walking distance of the home) in the afternoon. 

Competitive Athletics: no competitive sports teams of their own, students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate at base school. 

Contact for program questions: Catherine Crevoiserat (catherine_crevoisera@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3535 x14102 

Sign up for an in-person tour here

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2024-25 School Year

Secondary Schools (grades 6-12)

Durham School of the Arts 

DSA is focused on academic rigor and excellence in traditional visual and performing arts disciplines. Students may concentrate in chorus, band, orchestra, piano, or guitar; dance; acting, or technical theater; painting, drawing, clay, sculpture, or photography; writing through literature, newspaper, or yearbook; and game design, digital media, or film. 

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade: 6th 

Attendance zone: NO

Sibling priority: NO

Transportation: District-wide

Sports: has its own competitive sports teams

Contact for program questions: Ntianu Nkenge (ntianu_nkenge@dpsnc.net) 919-560-2695 x69057   

Sign up for an in-person tour here

Regístrese para un recorrido en persona aquí

The School for Creative Studies (OPERATES ON A YEAR ROUND CALENDAR)

SCS focuses on the 4C’s: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Community. The school uses the Habits of Mind framework to develop creative and collaborative problem solving skills using the approach of design thinking. Students can take courses in digital music and audio production; digital media and design; computer science and coding; architecture, engineering, and 3D design; theater arts; video production; and creative entrepreneurship. 

Current Lottery Policies:

Entry Grade: 6th 

Attendance zone: NO

Sibling priority: YES–siblings of current students have priority seating

Transportation: District-wide express stops are provided in the morning (group stops that may not be within walking distance of the home) and neighborhood bus stops (within walking distance of the home) in the afternoon. 

Competitive Athletics: no competitive sports teams of their own, students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate at base school. 

Contact for program questions: Catherine Crevoiserat (catherine_crevoisera@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3535 x14102   

Sign up for an in-person tour here

Regístrese para un recorrido en persona aquí