Community Education Before, or After-School Programs

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    Children Playing

    Elementary Afterschool Program Lottery System

    For the 2025-2026 school year elementary programs will be using the lottery system to ensure equitable access to afterschool care. The Durham Public Schools (DPS) afterschool lottery is similar to the Magnet/CTE Application. This lottery application window will open March 10, 2025, at 8 a.m. and close on April 11, 2025, at 5 p.m.

    Families should enter the lottery for the school their child will attend in the 2025-26 school year. Refer to the FAQ below for more information.

     

    Families may apply for the elementary afterschool lottery using their current Schoolmint account credentials. Lottery participation is not required for before-school or middle school programs. For more information please click and read the memo below.

    2024-25 Community Education Registration Process

    2024-25 Community Education Registration Process - Spanish

    FAQ- DPS Before and Afterschool Lottery Process

    Community Education 2025-2026 Registration Timeline

     

    DATE 

    EVENT 

    February 17 

    Camp Funtastic Registration opens 

    March 3 – March 7

    DPS Employee Early Registration window 

    March 10 – April 11

    Afterschool Lottery Application window 

    May 2 

    Lottery results emailed to families 

    May 5 – May 16 

    Registration for accepted lottery seats window 

    June 6 

    General registration opens for any remaining seats 

     

    Traditional students must be registered by Friday August 8, 2025 to start on the first day of school on August 25, 2025 (Space permitting).

    Year-Round students must be registered by Wednesday, July 9, 2025 to start on the first day of school on July 21, 2025 (Space permitting).

    To be officially registered in our programs, you must pay both your $35 registration fee and one (20-day cycle) monthly fee. (For the 2025-26 school year, you will receive a follow-up email confirming your enrollment if space  is available. If space is not available, you will be placed on the waitlist.)

    Registration Deadlines: All deadlines are by close of business

    Registration Deadline:                           Start Date:

    Monday, August 11                                  Monday, August 25 (First Day of School)

    August 12-15                                           Tuesday, August 26

    August 18-22                                           Wednesday, August 27

    August 25-29                                           Friday, August 29

    September 3                                           Friday, September 5 (Start of two-day wait)

    Your child can begin attending the programs two business days from today. Ex: Register on Monday before 5pm and your child can start on Wednesday. If you register after 5pm, your two-day wait starts the next business day (see below).

    Note: Some situations may require longer start dates due to staffing shortages, child needs, or student holidays. You will be called if a different start date is necessary.

    (Registering during the school year)

    Register by 5pm:                  Start Date:

    Monday                                  Wednesday

    Tuesday                                  Thursday

    Wednesday                            Friday

    Thursday                                Monday

    Friday                                      Tuesday

    You can receive information such as a billing cycle and financial assistance application on our DPS Before and After-school Forms page.

    Have a question? Call us at 919-560-9488.

    Thank you for choosing Durham Public Schools Before- and After-school Programs!

    You have selected a program that has more than 35 years of experience providing quality expanded learning opportunities for elementary students.

    We support academic achievement in DPS Before- and After-school programs! This year, your child will experience a balance of homework time, enrichment, and recreational activities that are considered elements of a high-quality program. Our elementary programs are licensed and regularly evaluated by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and 95 percent of our programs have 5-star ratings.

    Things to know about the before- and after-school programs:

    • Before-school programs open at 6:30 a.m. and operate until the first bell rings.
    • Elementary After-school programs operate on school days from the time the school is dismissed until 6:00 p.m.
    • Elementary After-school programs also operate on early release days at no extra cost to parents!
    • Monthly payments cover 20 days (no charge for days when school is out).
    • Our programs offer full-time enrollment only; no part-time enrollment is available.
    • Elementary programs only operate on in-person instructional school days.
    • Financial assistance is available through DPS by calling 919-560-9488.
    • Elementary programs are eligible for Department of Social Services childcare vouchers. Call 919-560-8300 or click here for more information. Financial Assistance Form.

     

     

     

    Registration for these programs is required annually.

     

     

     

     

Contact Us

  • Call:

    Office Phone (919) 560-9488

    Office Fax: (919) 560-2177

    Email: Community_Education@dpsnc.net

    DROP-OFF BOX:
     
    Minnie Forte-Brown Staff Development Center
    2107 Hillandale Road, Durham
    Classroom Bldg. (Front door)