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 arts program). But they do so on a calendar that starts the school year in mid-July and follows a pattern of 9 weeks of instruction followed by 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.
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 year-round calendar schools:
Are governed by the DPS Board of Education
Provide the required N.C. 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 year-round 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 in the annual lottery.
Families who choose the year-round calendar love the consistency it provides throughout the school year. Thanks to the more frequent school breaks throughout the year, families also cite the ability to maintain a school/life balance, have more time to explore their own interests, and feel like they can stay rejuvenated throughout the school year. Students can also take advantage of enrichment or remediation opportunities during intersession breaks, which can lead to less learning loss that can come from an extended summer break.
Parents should keep in mind the potential need for childcare during intersession breaks, as well as their own seasonal schedules, when choosing a year-round calendar.
Many community organizations in Durham and surrounding areas offer programing during intersession breaks. And many of those are free or low-cost for families who qualify. While Durham Public Schools does not sponsor or endorse these programs, we have listed them here for your convenience:
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance Zone: YES, view here
Lottery Zones: Northern (view zones)
Procedure for those in attendance zone: Automatically enrolled; no lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Northern region only
Contact for program questions: Leah Rubow, leah_rubow@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3913 ext. 3220
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance Zone: YES, view here
Lottery Zones: Northern (view zones)
Procedure for those in attendance zone: Automatically enrolled; no lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Northern region only
Contact for program questions: Donovan Scott, Donovan_Scott@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3928
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance Zone: YES, view here
Lottery Zones: Eastern (view zones)
Procedure for those in attendance zone: Automatically enrolled; no lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Eastern region only
Contact for program questions: Kijha Brown, kijha_brown@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3960 ext. 60255
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance Zone: YES, view here
Lottery Zones: Central (view zones)
Procedure for those in attendance zone: Automatically enrolled; no lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Central region only
Contact for program questions: Neera Bhat, neera_bhat@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3910
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance Zone: YES, view here
Lottery Zones: Southeast (view zones)
Procedure for those in attendance zone: Automatically enrolled; no lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Southeast Region only
Contact for program questions: Ca'lita Virgil, calita_virgil@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3964
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance Zone: YES, view here
Lottery Zones: Southwest (view zones)
Procedure for those in attendance zone: Automatically enrolled; no lottery entry required
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: Southwest region only
Contact for program questions: Eric Goff, eric_goff@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3980
W.G. Pearson Elementary School
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance Zone: NO
Lottery Zones: District-wide
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: District-wide
Contact for program questions: Damaris Rivera Perez, Damaris_RiveraPerez@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3988
Entry Grade: 6
Attendance Zone: NO
Lottery Zones: YES. Those in the attendance zones for Bethesda, Creekside, Fayetteville St., Forest View, Hope Valley, Lakewood, Parkwood, E.K. Powe, Y.E. Smith, Southwest, Lyons Farm, and C.C. Spaulding elementary schools are eligible to apply in the lottery. The school is open to those in the Southeast, Southwest, and Central regions.
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, E.K. Powe, Y.E. Smith, Southwest, Lyons Farm, and C.C. Spaulding elementary schools
Competitive Athletics: The school has its own teams.
Contact for program questions: Dorothy Carr, dorothy_carr@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3970 ext. 70235 OR Jennifer Lee, jennifer_lee@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3970 ext. 7090
The School for Creative Studies
Current Lottery Policies:
Entry Grade: 6
Attendance Zone: NO
Lottery Zones: YES. Those in the Northern, Central, and Eastern regions are eligible to apply.
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: District-wide express stops (group stops that may not be within walking distance of the home) are provided in the morning, and neighborhood bus stops (stops that are within walking distance of the home) are provided in the afternoon.
Competitive Athletics: The school has its own teams.
Contact for program questions: Beth Rhodes, beth_rhodes@dpsnc.net, (919) 560-3535 ext. 14102
