Durham Academy

Durham Academy is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school. DA was founded in Durham, North Carolina, in 1933 as the Calvert Method School, with seven students and one teacher in the Forest Hills Clubhouse. The Academy Road campus was built in the 1950s. In 1959, the school changed its name to Durham Academy, moved to Academy Road in 1966, and also added seventh and eighth grades.

The purpose of Durham Academy is to provide each student an education that will enable him or her to live a moral, happy and productive life. The development of intellect is central to such a life and, thus, intellectual endeavor and growth are the primary work of the school. The acquisition of knowledge; the development of skills, critical judgment and intellectual curiosity; and increased understanding are the goals of the school's academic program.

Recognizing that intellectual growth cannot by itself lead to a rich and responsible life, Durham Academy is committed to helping each student achieve personal growth in an atmosphere that is both supportive and challenging. Durham Academy provides students with opportunities to develop physically, learn the habits that lead to sound mental and physical health and experience the lessons and satisfactions of competitive athletics; to gain appreciation for the visual and performing arts, discover creativity within themselves and encourage growth of their own imaginations; to develop habits that lead to moral behavior, responsible action and the growth of character; and to gain an awareness of present and future obligations to fellow students, community, country and world.

Durham Academy believes that enhancing the spirit of community among faculty, students and parents is essential to the achievement of its goals. The faculty approaches each student as an individual, and the school encourages close personal relationships fostered in an atmosphere of trust, respect for individual differences and appreciation for the racial, cultural and religious diversity in our society.

Throughout its history, Durham Academy has recognized that diversity enriches learning. Co-ed since its founding in 1933 and one of the first schools to integrate in Durham, DA has committed itself at every level — from the boardroom to the classroom — to the dual pursuit of excellence and diversity. Our welcoming, dynamic and interconnected community provides students with the support to prepare them to live and thrive in a diverse world.

Durham Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Durham Academy does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.

Academics at Durham Academy has a deliberate focus in each division. In the Preschool and Lower School, teachers create a warm and welcoming environment that launches a love of learning and a lifetime of intellectual curiosity. In Middle School, students start their path to maturity, discovering their talents and inspirations and developing the core values and habits that help them along their journey. In Upper School, students immerse themselves in their passions, with a flexible, diverse curriculum and dedicated faculty that challenges and supports them as thinkers and young adults.

To do this, DA is organized into three distinct neighborhoods — one serving students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade; a Middle School for fifth- through eighth-graders; and an Upper School for grades nine through 12. Each school has its own campus, faculty and administrators.

A school works best when it works with the growing intellectual, physical and social abilities of each child. The learning environment and opportunities that we offer reflect appreciation and recognition of children's developmental timetables, individuality and unique interests and capacities. We seek to teach essential skills — literacy, mathematics, creative thinking and problem-solving — that children can use to learn about their world.

Preschool/Lower School
Address: 3501 Ridge Road, NC
Postal Code: 27705-5539
Phone: +1 919 4893400

Middle School
Address: 3116 Academy Road, NC
Postal Code: 27707-2699
Phone: +1 919 4899118