The Studio School of Durham

Launched in 2017, The Studio School of Durham is a research-based, project-focused independent school for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. We believe your child deserves and needs a 21st century education, so we equip them with a spirit of discovery, mastery, and adventure that will empower them to fulfill their greatest potential across their school years and beyond.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked NC School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 34 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,300
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 17 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / May. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Studio School of Durham ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-6
Year Founded
2018

Student Body

Total Students
34 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
The Studio School of Durham Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
4 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
17 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / May. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Our PlayHouse Preschool and Kindergarten alum receive priority admissions. We also offer a sibling discount and a pay-in-full discount.
% on Financial Aid
10%
Acceptance Rate
60%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Kristy Stout

School Notes

  • Featuring rich experiences, The Studio School of Durham students create real-world deliverables in vibrant outdoor spaces and beautiful indoor classrooms, a cutting-edge Design Lab, and inspiring art studio. On a daily basis, students are challenged and given the creative opportunities to master critical thinking, problem solving skills, and a spirit of adventure about their own purpose and educational development.
  • Proud to be a new kind of approach to independent school, The Studio School of Durham welcomes students and parents who want a change from worksheets, endless homework, and standardized testing that leaves children unchallenged.
  • CORE SKILLS: Our approach to learning during core skill (reading, writing, math) acquisition is highly individualized. Recognizing that all students have a jagged learning profile and thus learn different subjects in different ways at different rates, we facilitate a customized and multi-disciplinary approach to these academic pursuits. Core skills are also a natural part of our inquiry and project-based work where we encourage and guide our learners to connect ideas, reflect upon the connections, apply a variety of methods, and communicate their findings in a variety of forms.
  • PROJECTS Our project work encourages our students to become active in the learning process where their curiosity is seen as a valuable resource. Through this process students address interesting and relevant challenges, develop driving questions, set goals using a co-created rubric system, research their topic, document their process, present their findings and reflect upon their learning process. Students learning through inquiry and investigation have vast opportunities in the areas of decision-making and critical thinking it allows them to acquire information and concepts in an authentic way. Our projects often take students off site on field trips, such as walking through the community during a study of architecture. Experts and special visitors knowledgable on our topics of study are also frequent visitors to the Studio.
  • SOCRATIC DISCUSSIONS Our day begins and ends with a Socratic Discussion. This form of discussion embodies the power of asking questions, valuing inquiry over information and discussion over debate. While we value independent learning we understand the benefit and social nature of collaborative learning. At the start of the discussion open-ended questions are shared with the group with the goal of staying focused and students exploring the perspectives and approach to the questions and not just their answers.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Studio School of Durham cost?
The Studio School of Durham's tuition is approximately $10,300 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Studio School of Durham?
The acceptance rate of The Studio School of Durham is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 87%. The Studio School of Durham's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in North Carolina with low acceptance rates.
What is The Studio School of Durham's ranking?
The Studio School of Durham ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for: Lowest average acceptance rates.
When is the application deadline for The Studio School of Durham?
The application deadline for The Studio School of Durham is Feb. 1 / May. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 / May. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
What neighborhood is The Studio School of Durham located?
The Studio School of Durham is located in the Woodcroft neighborhood of Durham, NC.

School Reviews

Endorse The Studio School of Durham. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
Endorse this school:

Recent Articles

Leadership, Legacy, and Learning: Pillars of Top Schools
Leadership, Legacy, and Learning: Pillars of Top Schools
We explore the key elements contributing to the success of leading private schools, highlighting the importance of strong leadership, a rich legacy, and a focus on comprehensive learning experiences.
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Discover the essential ingredients that drive academic success and cultivate a thriving school community.
All About JROTC
All About JROTC
Explore the multifaceted advantages of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs in private schools. Delve into how JROTC cultivates leadership, discipline, and citizenship skills among students, contributing to their holistic development and future success.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked NC School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 34 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,300
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 17 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / May. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Request Information

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Durham, NC is $13,008 for elementary schools and $18,056 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Durham, NC is 71% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

Quick Links