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 program). But they do so on a calendar that starts the school year in mid-July and follows every 9 weeks of instruction with 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.
While not providing a specialized instructional program, 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 NC 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.
Families who choose the year-round calendar love the consistency it provides throughout the school year. They also cite more frequent breaks for students to maintain a school/life balance, explore their own interests, and stay rejuvenated throughout the school year. Students can take advantage of enrichment or remediation opportunities during intersession breaks and experience less learning loss without 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 (Email Leah Rubow) 919-560-3913 x3220
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 (Email Kijha Brown) 919-560-3960 ext. 60255
Eastway Elementary School
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 (Email Neera Bhat) 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 (Email Ca'lita Virgil) 919-560-3964
Hope Valley Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year)
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: Ingrid Whitaker (Email Ingrid Whitaker) 919.560.3980
W.G. Pearson Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year)
Entry Grade: Kindergarten
Attendance zone: NO
Lottery zones: District-wide
Sibling Priority: YES
Transportation: District-wide
Contact for program questions: Ingrid Whitaker (Email Ingrid Whitaker) 560-3988 x8809
Entry Grade: 6
Attendance zone: NO
Lottery zones: YES–attendance zones for Bethesda, Creekside, Fayetteville St, Forest View, Hope Valley, Lakewood, Parkwood, W.G. Pearson, E.K. Powe, Y.E. Smith, Southwest, Lyons Farm, and C.C. Spaulding Elementary Schools
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, W.G. Pearson, E.K. Powe, Y.E. Smith, Southwest, Lyons Farm, and C.C. Spaulding Elementary Schools
Competitive Athletics: School has its own teams
Contact for program questions: Dorothy Carr (dorothy_carr@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3970 x70235 OR Jennifer Lee (Email Jennifer Lee) 919-560-3970 x7090
The School for Creative Studies
Current Lottery Policies:
Entry Grade: 6
Attendance zone: NO
Sibling priority: YES–siblings of current students have priority seating
Transportation: District-wide express stops are provided in the morning (group stops that may not be within walking distance of the home) and neighborhood bus stops (within walking distance of the home) in the afternoon.
Competitive Athletics: no competitive sports teams of their own; students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate at their base school.
Contact for program questions:Beth Rhodes (Email Beth Rhodes 919-560-3535 x14102
