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Year-Round Schools (Calendar Magnet) (información en español)
What are year-round schools?
Year-round schools provide the same curriculum, instruction, and programming as DPS neighborhood schools (with the exception of The School for Creative Studies which also has a specialized program and Holt Elementary which has a specialized program for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years) but do so on a calendar that starts the school year in mid-July and follows every 9 weeks of instruction with a multi-week student intersession break (typically 3 weeks). The school year ends at the same time as DPS traditional calendar schools. DPS year-round schools are single track and are all on the same schedule. DPS provides priority seating for siblings to support the alignment of whole families to the year-round calendar.
While not providing a specialized instructional programing, opportunities for enrichment or remediation are available to students during intersession break. In addition to DPS programs, there are community providers that offer enrichment programs aligned with the year-round calendar.
Durham Public Schools calendar magnet schools:
- are governed by the DPS Board of Education
- provide the required NC Standard Course of Study
- provide all qualifying students with full access to Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG/Advanced Academics) services
- provide all qualifying students with full access to English Language Learner services
- provide all qualifying students with full access to Exceptional Children's services (inclusion services at all schools and separate setting services centered at various magnet locations)
- provide all qualifying students with full access to 504 accommodations
- DPS magnet schools do not have academic or other application criteria. Any student residing in Durham County, within the designated geographic zone for each school, may apply
How do I know if a year round school is right for my family?
Many families love the year-round calendar because it provides consistency throughout the year and more frequent breaks for students to maintain a school/life balance, explore their own interests, and stay rejuvenated throughout the school year. Students can take advantage of enrichment or remediation opportunities during intersession breaks and experience less learning loss without an extended summer break. However, parents should consider the potential need for childcare during intersession breaks as well as their own seasonal schedules in deciding to attend a year-round school.
What options are there for childcare and enrichment during intersession breaks?
Many community organizations in Durham and surrounding areas offer programing during these breaks, many that are free or low cost for families that qualify. While Durham Public Schools does not sponsor or endorse these programs, we have listed them here for your convenience.
Durham Arts Council: https://durhamarts.org/product/intersession-spring-break-and-teacher-workday-camps/
Durham Parks and Recreation: https://www.dprplaymore.org/365/Intersession
Kidzu: https://www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org/schools-out-camp/
Museum of Life and Science: https://www.lifeandscience.org/learn/schools-out-camps/
Schoolhouse of Wonder: https://schoolhouseofwonder.org/programs/
Spence's Farm: https://www.sunrisecommunityfarmcenter.com/mini-camps
Triangle Rock Club: https://www.trianglerockclub.com/durham/youth/school-holiday-camps/
YMCA: https://www.ymcatriangle.org/programs/camps/track-out-camps
2024-2025 School Year and beyond
Elementary Schools
Easley Elementary School
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance zone: YES view here
Lottery zones: Northern view zones
Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Northern Region only
Contact for program questions: Leah Rubow (leah_rubow@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3913 x3220
Oak Grove Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year)
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance zone: YES view here
Lottery zones: Eastern view zones
Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Eastern Region only
Eastway Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year)
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance zone: YES view here
Lottery zones: Central view zones
Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Central Region only
Pearsontown Elementary School
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance zone: YES view here
Lottery zones: Southeast view zones
Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Southeast Region only
Contact for program questions: Nicole Krisko (nicole_krisko@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3964 x64426
Hope Valley Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year)
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance zone: YES view here
Lottery zones: Southwest view zones
Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Southwest Region only
W.G. Pearson Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year)
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance zone: NO
Lottery zones: District-wide
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: District-wide
Middle Schools (6-8)
Rogers-Herr Middle School
Entry Grade: 6
Attendance zone: NO
Lottery zones: YES–attendance zones for Bethesda, Creekside, Fayetteville St, Forest View, Hope Valley, Lakewood, Parkwood, W.G. Pearson, E.K. Powe, Y.E. Smith, Southwest, Lyons Farm, and C.C. Spaulding Elementary Schools
Sibling Priority: YES
Other priority seating: Rising 6th graders from Pearsontown Elementary
Transportation: Only for students residing in attendance zones for Bethesda, Creekside, Fayetteville St, Forest View, Hope Valley, Lakewood, Parkwood, W.G. Pearson, E.K. Powe, Y.E. Smith, Southwest, Lyons Farm, and C.C. Spaulding Elementary Schools
Competitive Athletics: School has its own teams
Contact for program questions: Jennifer Umbarger (jennifer_umbarger@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3970 x70235
Secondary Schools (6-12)
The School for Creative Studies
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
