Principal: Otis Maben 

Principal Message

Greetings Tiger Family 

I am Mr. Otis Maben I began my education career in Durham Public Schools at Pearsontown Elementary School and later transitioned to Wake County Public School Systems as a Third Grade Teacher at Walnut Creek Elementary School. I spent 6 years teaching within Wake County at both Walnut Creek Elementary and Wilburn Elementary school before accepting an administration position in Durham Public Schools. Over the last 5 years I have served as an assistant principal at Southern High School, Rogers-Herr Middle School and Fayetteville Street Elementary School. I intentionally wanted to see all three levels to fully understand the whole child. This year marks my twelfth year in education where I now serve as the PROUD Principal of Y.E Smith Elementary School.

I received my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from North Carolina Central University. In addition to that I have a Masters in Elementary Education from Liberty University as well as a Masters in School Administration from North Carolina State University.

I seek to connect with all the families of Y.E Smith and push each and every one of my scholars to their greatest potential. Together we can make your dreams a reality. 

Remember Tigers are LEADERS, Tigers are BRAVE and Tigers NEVER GIVE UP!

Tigers ROAR!

Assistant Principal: Lisa B. Smith

Address:  2410 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27703
Phone:  919-560-3900
Email Address: yesmithelementaryschool@gmail.com 
Hours of Operation:  7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. 
Enrollment:  310

Welcome to Y.E. Smith Elementary Museum School!  Here at Smith, our goal is to foster a caring and supportive learning environment that promotes high expectations, active student participation, parental involvement, and the development of the whole child, in order to increase student achievement and to enable all children to be 21st century, global learners.

Y.E. Smith is unique because it is a museum-themed school. Our Museum Partners include:  The Durham History Hub, The Nasher Art Museum, Duke Gardens, Ackland Museum, The North Carolina Museum of Art, and The Museum of Life and Science.  

Y.E. Smith is a uniform school.  This means that students wear uniforms to school daily, with the exception of the last Friday of each month.  The last Friday of the month is College Friday, where students and teachers are permitted to wear college attire.

There are many great things happening at Y.E. Smith.  We encourage you to come for a visit and see for yourself.  Our school motto is "Every scholar, every day, thriving in every way." We would love for you to become part of our success.

Y.E. Smith Museum Elementary School,

where teachers and students work side-by-side,

doing our best with Tiger PRIDE.

Preparing critical thinkers through

Resilience,

Intentionality,

Diversity awareness and

Empowerment.