Durham Public Schools Partnership Engagement Application 

Durham Public Schools welcomes and values the integral role external organizations play in developing the academic, college/career readiness, health and wellness, and social-emotional needs of our students. The programs and services provided by external partners strengthen school-community relations and support stakeholder engagement in our schools. 

A community partnership is an agreement between a school or schools and an outside group whose goals align with the DPS Strategic Plan 2023-2028 to meet a meaningful academic, college/career readiness, or social-emotional need for its students.  Additionally, the partnership serves as a relationship that increases student growth and development.

DPS Partnership Engagement Application 

The DPS Partnership Engagement Application is designed to create formal and ongoing relationships with established entities such as businesses, faith-based organizations, civic and government agencies, educational institutions, and other community/grassroot organizations, who have agreed to work collaboratively with DPS.

External organizations interested in becoming an established partner with Durham Public Schools must complete the application and meet the Partnership Criteria outlined below.

Offering a product or service?

If your organization or business offers a product or service that requires funding, you may qualify as a vendor and should not complete the DPS Partnership Engagement Application.

To register as a vendor with Durham Public Schools, please use the DPS Vendor Registration Link, or contact the DPS Department of Purchasing at (919) 560-2000. Once approved, you can contact a DPS principal to discuss the potential use of your services and determine the next steps.

Partnership Criteria 

Program Support Areas 

Characteristics 

Academics: Tutoring, academic and/or language interventions

• The relationship is built through a DPS department or school(s). 

• There is a formal and documented agreement between all parties (district, school(s), and organization). 

• The programs, services or resources are linked to the district’s strategic priorities and outcomes. 

• Deliverables must be jointly defined between the partner, collaborating department or school(s) and Community Engagement Department. 

• The partner is an established organization with programs/services that are aligned with the identified DPS support areas.

Social Emotional Learning: Mentoring, SEL interventions

Work-based Learning: Internships, shadowing, technical education, STEM, STEAM, engineering, and arts-related programs

Postsecondary Attainment and Persistence: College and career-focused programs

Health & Wellness: Sports, physical activities, mental health, wellness, and quality of life programs/services

Enhancement of Social, Civic, or Family Life: Leadership, character building, family engagement, and socio-economic development programs

Enhancement of School Life: Includes supports for teachers, staff, students, families, and school facilities

Partnership Engagement Application Review Process

Step 1: Vet the Partnership Engagement Application 

The Department of Community Engagement will review the completed Partnership Engagement Application to confirm if the partner meets the DPS Eligibility Criteria.

Characteristics of Eligibility of Criteria 

  • The relationship is built through a DPS department or school(s).

  • There is a formal and documented agreement between or among the parties.

  • The programs, services, or resources are linked to the district’s strategic priorities and outcomes.

  • Deliverables must be jointly defined among the partner, collaborating department or school(s), and Community Engagement Department.

  • The partner is an established organization whose programs/services are aligned with the identified DPS support areas.

Step 2: Determine the nature of partnership 

Level of partnership engagement

  • One-time Event: This type of commitment may not require a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA); however, partners are required to follow the DPS volunteer and/or visitor guidelines.

  • Ongoing Commitment: Organizations may partner at this level if they are providing services/programming multiple times throughout the school year at one or more DPS locations. The organizational program or service must be aligned to the district strategic priorities.

Step 3: Create formal DPS Partnership Agreement 

The Department of Community Engagement will work with the Chief of Staff and the potential partner to establish the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for ongoing commitment applicants.

Step 4: On-board Partner to DPS 

The Department of Community Engagement will provide an orientation of DPS services to the partner, including reviewing the MOA.