High Schools

HIGH
School
Choices

All High School regions also have the option of application schools – see below.
If you do not know your region, please use the school locator tool.

School Type

Montessori
Montessori
Montessori education focuses on all areas of child and teen development: cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. Student learning environments are multi-age, student-directed, and involve multi-sensory, hands-on learning activities. Instruction is designed to engage student’s natural curiosity and desire for independence—Montessori philosophy is to always “follow the child.”

more info

International
Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate
The foundation of the IB program at all grade levels is to make students active, not passive, learners—to give them the skills to “construct” knowledge and engage in critical inquiry. An IB school focuses on the “why” and “how” of learning. In the IB framework, the ultimate goal of K-12 education is to prepare students to play a productive role in solving the global problems that plague humanity.

more info

Dual
Language
Dual Language
Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs use two languages for literacy and content instruction. The programs provide the same academic content and address the same state standards as traditional educational programs where instruction is in only one language. Elementary DLI programs provide instruction in the two languages over an extended period, from kindergarten through fifth grade. Instruction is in the DLI program “target language” (a language other than English) at least 50% of the time. All DPS DLI programs use Spanish as the target language.

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Year-Round
Year-Round
A year-round calendar provides more balance for students and families. Students are in session for approximately 9 weeks followed by breaks of approximately 3 weeks. This gives students frequent breaks and a more regular routine. Some families find this schedule works better for both adults and children as it provides more flexibility in scheduling for appointments, vacations, visiting family, enjoying the outdoors, and general family quality time.
Year-Round
A year-round calendar provides more balance for students and families. Students are in session for approximately 9 weeks followed by breaks of approximately 3 weeks. This gives students frequent breaks and a more regular routine. Some families find this schedule works better for both adults and children as it provides more flexibility in scheduling for appointments, vacations, visiting family, enjoying the outdoors, and general family quality time.

more info

Northern High School

4622 N. Roxboro Road

Southern School of Energy and Sustainability

800 Clayton Road

Riverside High School

3218 Rose of Sharon Road

Hillside High School

3727 Fayetteville St.
Choice Program: International Baccalaureate
Also district-wide IB option.

Jordan High School

6806 Garrett Road

Application Schools

The following schools have programs that are accessible through the annual Application Lottery. Schools may require additional application materials and evaluation. Click on each school to learn more.

Durham School of the Arts

401 N. Duke St.
Grades 6-12, no attendance zone, district wide access, arts school.

City of Medicine Academy

301 Crutchfield St.

J.D. Clement Early College

1801 Fayetteville St.

Durham School of Technology

3727 Fayetteville St.

Durham Early College of Health Sciences

1616 Cooper St.
DECHS opens to ninth grade students beginning in the fall of 2025.

Ignite! Online Academy

Choice Program: Online
K-12