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.
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 - 07/21/2026Duke 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
Top Rankings
Duke School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for:
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1947
First Day of School
Thu. Aug 20, 2026
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%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
67 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 11:1
Average Class Size
22 students
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and 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
Endowment Size
$12 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
6 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
various clubs
Arts and Music Programs:
bandChoir
chorusdrama
fine arts
School Notes
- 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
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
First Day of School- 1/2 Day- All Students
August 20, 2026 (Thursday)
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)
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Duke School also viewed these schools: Durham Academy, Carolina Friends School, Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill, Triangle Day School and Immaculata Catholic School.
The nearest high school to Duke School is Durham Academy (1.6 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Lerner Jewish Community Day School (1.4 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4809 Friends School Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
3.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 513 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4011 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
2.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 637 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 19 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4911 Neal Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
2.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 337 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
721 Burch Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5847
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5847
2.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 487 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4809 Friends School Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
3.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 513 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4011 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
2.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 637 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 19 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
809 Proctor St
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 688-3040
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 688-3040
2.9 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 129 students Avg. class size: 11 students Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Faith Assembly Christian Academy
(Christian)
3120 Fayetteville St
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 687-2763
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 687-2763
4 miles
Gr: K-12 | 44 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4809 Friends School Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
3.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 513 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4011 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
2.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 637 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 19 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4911 Neal Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
2.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 337 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
721 Burch Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5847
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5847
2.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 487 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4809 Friends School Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6602
3.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 513 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4011 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
2.4 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 637 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 19 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4911 Neal Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
2.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 337 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
721 Burch Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5847
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-5847
2.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 487 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
1935 W Cornwallis Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-5517
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-5517
1.4 miles
Gr: NS-5 | 199 students Tuition listed
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hope Creek Academy ![Hope Creek Academy Photo]( "Hope Creek Academy Photo")
Special Education School
4723 Erwin Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 932-0360
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 932-0360
1.6 miles
Gr: K-12 | 52 students Tuition listed
3200 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-7464
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-7464
1.8 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 166 students Avg. class size: 4 students Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
2800 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-9045
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-9045
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 170 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 11
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hope Creek Academy ![Hope Creek Academy Photo]( "Hope Creek Academy Photo")
Special Education School
4723 Erwin Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 932-0360
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 932-0360
1.6 miles
Gr: K-12 | 52 students Tuition listed
3200 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-7464
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-7464
1.8 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 166 students Avg. class size: 4 students Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
3707 Garrett Rd
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 354-8000
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 354-8000
2.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 224 students
2020 Chapel Hill Rd.
Durham, NC 27707
(984) 888-0578
Durham, NC 27707
(984) 888-0578
2.1 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 14 students Avg. class size: 7 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
1935 W Cornwallis Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-5517
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-5517
1.4 miles
Gr: NS-5 | 199 students Tuition listed
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hope Creek Academy ![Hope Creek Academy Photo]( "Hope Creek Academy Photo")
Special Education School
4723 Erwin Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 932-0360
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 932-0360
1.6 miles
Gr: K-12 | 52 students Tuition listed
3200 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-7464
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-7464
1.8 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 166 students Avg. class size: 4 students Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
2800 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-9045
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-9045
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 170 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 11
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
1935 W Cornwallis Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-5517
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-5517
1.4 miles
Gr: NS-5 | 199 students Tuition listed
3501 Ridge Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-3400
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,253 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
2800 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-9045
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-9045
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 170 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 11
3707 Garrett Rd
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 354-8000
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 354-8000
2.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 224 students
4911 Neal Rd
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-8800
2.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 337 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
501 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Siler City, NC 27344
(919) 663-5899
Siler City, NC 27344
(919) 663-5899
8971.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 9 students Minority enrollment: 11%
George M. Horton Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
79 Horton Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-2303
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-2303
8971.7 miles
Gr: 5-8 | 414 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
The Hawbridge School
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1735 Saxapahaw Bethlehem Churc
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
(336) 376-1122
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
(336) 376-1122
8971.7 miles
Gr: K-12 | 597 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Northwood High School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
310 Northwood High School Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-4181
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-4181
8972.3 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 634 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Perry W Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2655 Hamlet Chapel Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 967-9925
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 967-9925
8973.2 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 262 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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