Community Education Before & After-School
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Community Education Before, or After-School Programs
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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
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Call:
Office Phone (919) 560-9488
Office Fax: (919) 560-2177
Email: Community_Education@dpsnc.net
DROP-OFF BOX:Minnie Forte-Brown Staff Development Center2107 Hillandale Road, DurhamClassroom Bldg. (Front door)