Duke School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked NC School
Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 497 students
Average class size: 22 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 12 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School News

Duke School Becomes the Second Heart Safe School in Durham County - 07/21/2026
Duke School becomes the second school in Durham County to be officially designated a Heart Safe School by Project ADAM, recognizing our strong commitment to cardiac emergency preparedness and campus ...moresafety. This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, who have completed extensive CPR, AED, first aid, and emergency response training to help keep our community safe. hide

School Rankings

Duke School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Southern Association of Independent Schools

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Duke School
Pre-K	67
Kind	44
1	49
2	47
3	50
4	50
5	49
6	50
7	44
8	47

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Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1947

Last Day of School

Fri. Jun 4, 2027

Student Body

Total Students

497 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

39%

State avg.: 24%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

67 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

22 students

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 12 / rolling

Tuition Notes

Tuition is staggered based on grade level. The tuition above reflects our preschool tuition. Visit www.DukeSchool.org for more information.

% on Financial Aid

36%

Admissions Director

Maryssa Cappelletti

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$12 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

7 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

LacrosseSoccer

TennisUltimate Frisbee

Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

6 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

various clubs

Arts and Music Programs:

bandChoir

chorusdrama

fine arts

School Notes

Duke School is an independent preschool through eighth grade project-based school in Durham, NC. Duke School inspires learners to boldly and creatively shape their future.
It serves as a leading educational institution both within the Triangle and wider educational community since 1947.

School Mascot: Dragon

Duke School today is nationally renowned. It serves as a leading educational institution both within the Triangle and wider educational community; its teaching methods continue as a model for both public and other independent schools, and its unique child-centered, project-based integrated curriculum continues to adapt to serve a variety of learning styles. The school has made a particular contribution to the Durham community by producing outstanding students who are independent learners, thinkers, and decision makers, helping to create a better future both for Durham and communities beyond Durham. The school has also helped raise consciousness about education in the Durham community and provided the expertise of its extraordinary teachers for other local schools. With its outstanding faculty and staff, Duke School continues to move forward in the new millennium.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Marisa Rauwald ‘12 - Sports Broadcast Journalist
- Matt and Ross Duffer '99 - Film and television show makers, creators of Stranger Things
- Andrea Love '01 - Animator/Felt Animator and director. Mastermind behind iconic works for commercials, short films, and social media.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are famous alumni from Duke School?

Duke School famous alumni include: Marisa Rauwald ‘12, Matt and Ross Duffer '99 and Andrea Love '01.

What sports does Duke School offer?

Duke School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.

What is Duke School's ranking?

Duke School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for: Largest student body and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Duke School?

The application deadline for Duke School is Jan. 12 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 12 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Calendar

View the Duke School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event

Date

Labor Day- School Closed

September 07, 2026 (Monday)

Yom Kippur- School Closed

September 21, 2026 (Monday)

Fall Break - School Closed

November 23, 2026 (Monday)

Fall Break - School Closed

November 24, 2026 (Tuesday)

Fall Break - School Closed

November 25, 2026 (Wednesday)

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Durham, NC is $17,894 for elementary schools and $22,601 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Durham, NC is 68% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).