Alternatives to Traditional Public Schools

The Durham-Chapel Hill area has the highest concentration of private schools in the state with more than 5,700 students attending some 25 independent schools, according to Linda Nelson of the N.C. Association of Independent Schools. Yearly tuition ranges from $2,400 at one of the church-based schools to $39,495 at one of the exclusive college-preparatory boarding schools. For a complete list of area private schools, visit: http://ncolderhouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/triangle-area-private-schools.html


For parents who are unable to or who would rather not subsidize the property taxes they already pay to the public schools, there are the magnet schools and the charter schools. A magnet school is part of the public school system that focuses on a specific mission such as the arts, the sciences or mathematics. A charter school is not part of the county schools, but is overseen by the state board of education and has a specific mission.


The Durham Public School system has nine public magnet schools. To be eligible for enrollment, students enter a computerized lottery. In order to apply for the upcoming year in Durham for example, students must apply in January and there is a first drawing of names in February. Then there is another shuffle in May, which may or may not result in a student receiving an offer of admission. Student may reapply if they don’t make it in on their first try.


Durham’s magnet schools are:
• Club Bouleveard Humanities Magnet School, grades: K-5, www.clubblvd.dpsnc.net
• R.N. Harris Integrated Arts/Core Knowledge Magnet School, K-5, www.harris.dpsnc.net
• Morehead Montessori School, PreK-5, www.morehead.dpsnc.net
• George Watts Montessori Magnet School, PreK-5, www.watts.dpsnc.net
• W.G. Pearson Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary School, K-5, www.pearson.dpsnc.net
• Durham School for the Arts, 6-12, www.dsa.dpsnc.net
• Hillside International Baccalaureate High School, 9-10, Middle Years Program; 11-12, Diploma Program
www.hillside.dpsnc.net/academic-programs/international-baccalaureate-programme
• Shepard International Baccalaureate Middle School, 6-8, www.shepard.dpsnc.net
• W.G. Pearson Magnet Middle School, 6-7, www.wgpearsonms.dpsnc.net


Charter schools are prevented by state law from charging tuition. The entrance policies to the charter schools are similar to the magnet schools in that a lottery is also held for students desiring admittance. Lotteries are open to the public and held in late winter or early spring. Waiting lists with available spaces are based on the lottery results with applications often continuing to be accepted after the lotteries, with wait-listed students being accepted when openings are available. Siblings of already-enrolled students will receive priority placement.


I have a number of friends who live in some of Durham’s downtown historic neighborhoods, including Morehead Hill and Lakewood-Tuscaloosa and many of their children attend charter school Central Park for Children http://www.centralparkschoolforchildren.org


Voyager Academy, 4-8, http://www.voyageracademy.net/home/contactus.html, is located in North Durham. Voyager Principal and Managing Director Carl Forsyth attends church with me at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Carl’s sons and my son are Eagle Scouts in Boy Scout Troop 400 at Aldersgate.


Other Durham charter schools are:
• Carter Community, K-8, www.carterschool.org
• Healthy Start Academy, K-8, www.healthystartacademy.com
• Kestrel Heights School, 6-12, www.kestrelheights.org
• Maureen Joy Charter School, K-8, www.joycharter.org
• Research Triangle Charter Academy, K-8, http://researchtriangle.heritageacademies.com


Hopefully the above web sites will supply you with everything you need to know about our schools. But if you would be interested in speaking to any of my friends with children who attend these schools, feel free to let me know and I will be happy to put you in touch!

Voyager Academy is a charter school located in North Durham.