Magnet programs & CTE pathways
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  • Year-Round Schools (Calendar Magnet) (información en español) 

    What are year-round schools?

    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 and Holt Elementary which has a specialized program for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years) but 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 programing, 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 calendar magnet 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 magnet 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

    How do I know if a year round school is right for my family?

    Many families love the year-round calendar because it provides consistency throughout the year and 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. However, parents should consider the potential need for childcare during intersession breaks as well as their own seasonal schedules in deciding to attend a year-round school.

    What options are there for childcare and enrichment during intersession breaks? 

    Many community organizations in Durham and surrounding areas offer programing during these breaks, many that are free or low cost for families that qualify. While Durham Public Schools does not sponsor or endorse these programs, we have listed them here for your convenience. 

    Durham Arts Council: https://durhamarts.org/product/intersession-spring-break-and-teacher-workday-camps/

    Durham Parks and Recreation: https://www.dprplaymore.org/365/Intersession 

    Kidzu: https://www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org/schools-out-camp/

    Museum of Life and Science: https://www.lifeandscience.org/learn/schools-out-camps/

    Piedmont Wildlife Center: https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/wake-track-out 

    Schoolhouse of Wonder: https://schoolhouseofwonder.org/programs/

    Spence's Farm: https://www.sunrisecommunityfarmcenter.com/mini-camps

    Triangle Rock Club: https://www.trianglerockclub.com/durham/youth/school-holiday-camps/

    YMCA: https://www.ymcatriangle.org/programs/camps/track-out-camps

    2024-2025 School Year and beyond

    Elementary Schools 

    Easley  

    Easley Elementary School

    Entry Grade: Kindergarten

    Attendance zone: YES view here

    Lottery zones: Northern view zones

    Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required

    Sibling Priority: YES

    Transportation: Northern Region only

    Contact for program questions: Leah Rubow (leah_rubow@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3913 x3220   

    Oak Grove  

    Oak Grove Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year) 

    Entry Grade: Kindergarten  

    Attendance zone: YES view here

    Lottery zones: Eastern view zones

    Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required

    Sibling Priority: YES

    Transportation: Eastern Region only

    Eastway  

    Eastway Elementary School (school will change to year-round in the 2024-25 school year)   

    Entry Grade: Kindergarten  

    Attendance zone: YES view here

    Lottery zones: Central view zones

    Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required 

    Sibling Priority: YES

    Transportation: Central Region only

    Pearsontown  

    Pearsontown Elementary School

    Entry Grade: Kindergarten  

    Attendance zone: YES view here

    Lottery zones: Southeast view zones

    Procedure for those in attendance zone: automatically enrolled, not lottery entry required 

    Sibling Priority: YES

    Transportation: Southeast Region only

    Contact for program questions: Nicole Krisko (nicole_krisko@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3964 x64426   

    hope valley  

    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, not lottery entry required 

    Sibling Priority: YES

    Transportation: Southwest Region only

    WG Pearson  

    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  

    Middle Schools (6-8)

    Rogers-Herr  

    Rogers-Herr Middle School   

    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: Jennifer Umbarger (jennifer_umbarger@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3970 x70235   

    Secondary Schools (6-12)

     SCS

    The School for Creative Studies 

    Current Lottery Policies:

    Entry Grade: 6th 

    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 base school. 

    Contact for program questions: Catherine Crevoiserat (catherine_crevoisera@dpsnc.net) 919-560-3535 x14102