Durham Public Schools

Durham Public Schools The official account for DPS, serving more than 30,000 students and their families.

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The Durham Public School page is generally monitored Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please note that comments expressed on the Durham Public Schools page do not reflect the opinions or positions of the District, its employees, or elected officials. Durham Public Schools reserves the right to delete comments that meet the following criteria:
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prejudiced or hurtful remarks made toward any person or entity, including an ethnic, racial, or religious group
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06/16/2026

| DPS Board of Education Special Called Meeting | 6/16/26

🎓 Congratulations to the Durham Public Schools Class of 2026! 🎓Over the past several weeks, we have celebrated the achie...
06/15/2026

🎓 Congratulations to the Durham Public Schools Class of 2026! 🎓

Over the past several weeks, we have celebrated the achievements, perseverance, and bright futures of our DPS graduates. The Class of 2026 has reached an incredible milestone, and we couldn't be more proud!

Thank you to our students, families, educators, staff, and community members who helped make this graduation season so special. We look forward to seeing all that our graduates accomplish in the years ahead.

📸 Graduation photos from all DPS Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies are now available online. Relive the memories and celebrate your graduate by visiting DPSNC.net/graduation.

Once a DPS graduate, always a DPS graduate. 💙🎓

☀️ DPS Summer Hours Begin Today, June 15.Durham Public Schools will operate on the following summer schedule from June 1...
06/15/2026

☀️ DPS Summer Hours Begin Today, June 15.

Durham Public Schools will operate on the following summer schedule from June 15 through August 7:

🏢 Central Services
Monday–Thursday | 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

🏫 Elementary & Middle Schools
Monday–Thursday | 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

🎓 High Schools
Monday–Thursday | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

📅 Please Note:
• All district schools and offices will be closed to the public on Fridays.
• DPS administrative offices will also be closed to the public June 29–July 3.
• Regular operating hours resume August 10.

Thank you for your attention, and we wish our students, families, and staff a safe and enjoyable summer! ☀️

¡Todavía quedan espacios disponibles para estudiantes hispanohablantes en los programas de inmersión lingüística dual (D...
06/15/2026

¡Todavía quedan espacios disponibles para estudiantes hispanohablantes en los programas de inmersión lingüística dual (DLI) de las Escuelas Públicas de Durham para primaria y secundaria! 🌎📚

Para los estudiantes que ya hablan español en casa, los programas de inmersión dual DLI (por sus siglas en inglés) ayudan a reforzar las habilidades de lectura y escritura tanto en español como en inglés, al mismo tiempo que fomentan la confianza en el salón de clase, el rendimiento académico y las ventajas del bilingüismo a largo plazo. Los estudiantes también tienen la oportunidad de conservar y celebrar su idioma y cultura de origen en un entorno de aprendizaje que les brinda todo el apoyo necesario.

Las familias aún pueden presentar su solicitud a través del plazo de inscripción tardío:

📆 El plazo de solicitud para los programas de todo el año finaliza el 30 de junio.
📆 El plazo de solicitud para los programas con calendario tradicional finaliza el 31 de julio.

Presente su solicitud aquí: https://bit.ly/4o01Mkv

El bilingüismo es una ventaja, – y en las Escuelas Publicas de Durham nos enorgullece ayudar a los estudiantes a desarrollarlo cada día.💙

There are still seats available for Spanish-speaking students in Durham Public Schools Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs for elementary and middle school! 🌎📚

For students who already speak Spanish at home, DLI programs help strengthen literacy skills in both Spanish and English while building classroom confidence, academic achievement, and long-term bilingual advantages. Students also gain the opportunity to maintain and celebrate their home language and culture in a supportive learning environment.

Families can still apply through the late lottery application:

📆 Year-round program applications close June 30
📆 Traditional calendar program applications close July 31

Apply here: https://bit.ly/4o01Mkv

Bilingualism is a strength – and DPS is proud to help students grow it every day. 💙

“My favorite school memory is spending time with my friends and teachers during my senior year, working and studying har...
06/12/2026

“My favorite school memory is spending time with my friends and teachers during my senior year, working and studying hard in everything I’ve done, trying my best in everything always,” says Rasma, who plans to continue her education and pursue a nursing degree. “I also enjoyed school events and making memories that I will always remember after graduation.”

Making her family proud is a key motivator for Rasma.

“I want to achieve my goals and all my dreams by focusing and working hard in everything, taking everything seriously, becoming successful, and proving to myself that all my hard work will pay off,” she said.

Focus and persistence are attributes that Rasma encourages those who will follow her to pursue.

“I would tell younger students to stay focused, work hard, and never give up even when school gets stressful,” said Rasma. Always try your best in everything you do to make your future better and amazing; always believe in yourself no matter what others says; and enjoy high school, make good memories and study hard, and respect everyone!”

Rasma said she and her family chose DPS because it gave her great opportunities to learn, grow, and prepare for her future.

“It makes me feel like I am in the right place and for my own future for my own good,” she said. “And the teachers and staff supported me and helped me become more confident in myself.”

Destiny’s favorite memory from attending Hillside High School was performing in “Stargaze,” the school’s showcase for da...
06/12/2026

Destiny’s favorite memory from attending Hillside High School was performing in “Stargaze,” the school’s showcase for dance. She served as the choreographer for a 17-minute piece for the Hillside Dance Company and she also danced with the group.

“Seeing everything come together after all the practices and hard work was really rewarding,” said Destiny. “It felt good knowing something I created turned out how I envisioned it, and that everyone genuinely enjoyed it.”

Destiny will attend North Carolina A&T State University this fall. She plans to major in Business Management and double minor in Marketing and Mass Media. She said she’s very happy with the experiences and preparation that DPS has afforded her.

“DPS started as just my district, but over time it became a place where I really grew into myself,” said Destiny. “I chose to stay because I saw how much it was pouring into me—not just academically, but in real-life experiences. DPS gave me opportunities, but I also learned that I had to be willing to show up and take advantage of them, and that’s what made the difference for me.”

Destiny encourages those who will follow her to explore all that is available to them.

“Take advantage of the opportunities around you and don’t be scared to try new things,” she said. “DPS has a lot to offer, but you have to be willing to put yourself out there. Also, stay consistent and don’t give up on yourself when things get hard.”

Continuously growing and discovering her capabilities are highly motivational goals for Destiny.

“I don’t like feeling stuck or like I’m not reaching my full potential,” she said. “Dance especially has taught me that progress takes time, discipline, and pushing through moments where you feel tired or unsure. I’m also motivated by the life I want for myself—I know the work I put in now is what’s going to shape my future, and I want to be proud of that.”

Giselle will attend Duke University this fall where she will major in Biology under the Pre-Med Track. She hopes to be a...
06/11/2026

Giselle will attend Duke University this fall where she will major in Biology under the Pre-Med Track. She hopes to be an ophthalmologist. She is understandably very happy with the fact that she and her family chose Durham Public Schools to prepare her for college and life.

“My family decided that Durham Public Schools allowed for individual growth while emphasizing academic success,” said Giselle. “When I found out in sixth grade that I was accepted to Durham School of the Arts, I was extremely excited, because not only would I have creative liberties to learn a new instrument, but I would be given the ability to have success in the sports I participated in.”

Giselle is a member of the women's varsity tennis team for Durham School of the Arts. Her team won the East Regional Champions for the 5A division and took second place in the state. Playing tennis is among her favorite memories of her time at DSA. She encourages those who will follow her to find a supportive peer group.

“A huge factor in maintaining positive academic achievement is due to the people you surround yourself with,” said Giselle. “Personally, my friends have always had high expectations for me, which directly impacted the expectations I had for myself throughout my time in high school.”

Setting and achieving goals are big motivational factors for Giselle.

“What truly motivates me to succeed is my vision of seeing the possibilities in front of me,” she said. “From goals as simple as studying to get an A, to long-term achievements of getting into universities as a result of my dedication. Seeing my hard work lead to endless possibilities and options for the future self-motivates me to do better, and has self-motivated me from the beginning.”

🎓 DPS Grad Season continues tomorrow, June 12, as we celebrate the graduating seniors of Hillside High School, Riverside...
06/11/2026

🎓 DPS Grad Season continues tomorrow, June 12, as we celebrate the graduating seniors of Hillside High School, Riverside High School, and Jordan High School at Cameron Indoor Stadium!

Ceremony schedule:
🎓 Hillside High School — 9 AM
🎓 Riverside High School — 1 PM
🎓 Jordan High School — 5 PM

We’re proud to honor the Class of 2026 and celebrate this important milestone with our students, families, staff, and community.

For graduation details and more information, visit DPSNC.net/graduation.

Who doesn’t love Field Day in elementary school? Kyle Miller sure did, as they were among her fondest DPS memories.“It’s...
06/11/2026

Who doesn’t love Field Day in elementary school? Kyle Miller sure did, as they were among her fondest DPS memories.

“It’s where the whole day was basically water park activities, but at our school,” said Kyle. “Just the end of the year celebration with your friends, and I’ll never forget it.”

Kyle will attend North Carolina Central University to study communications and business administration this fall.

Students should make an extra effort to keep up to speed in the “transitional” grades along their K-12 journey. That’s Kylee’s advice to younger students.

“I’m not even gonna lie… third, sixth, and ninth grades really matter. Those are like the foundation of your whole school journey,” she said. “If you slack off or don’t take it seriously, it’s like building something on weak ground. It might still go up, but it’s gonna be shaky. So for real, pay attention, ask questions, and get your basics right now. It’ll save you a lot of stress later.”

🎓➡️🚌 From DPS student to DPS employee!Just days before graduating from Riverside High School, Shamar Washington is alrea...
06/11/2026

🎓➡️🚌 From DPS student to DPS employee!

Just days before graduating from Riverside High School, Shamar Washington is already launching his career with Durham Public Schools. After completing an internship with DPS Transportation Services, Shamar will return as a full-time Technician 1 Mechanic, working alongside his parents, Sherrod and Deona Washington, who have built their own careers serving DPS students and families.

Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and determination, Shamar discovered a passion for mechanical work and turned that experience into a career opportunity before even receiving his diploma.

Read how Shamar's journey from student to employee showcases the power of Career and Technical Education and work-based learning opportunities in Durham Public Schools.

📖 Read the full story at DPSNC.net.

Story and photos by DPS Office of Public Affairs Intern Kaleb Gibson.

Address

511 Cleveland Street
Durham, NC
27701

Opening Hours

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19195602000

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