Durham Public Schools

Looking for a flexible learning option for your child? 💻📚

Durham Public Schools’ Ignite! Online Academy still has seats available for grades K–12 through the late lottery application process.

Ignite! may be a great fit for students and families who:
✔ Thrive in an online learning environment
✔ Need greater scheduling flexibility
✔ Prefer learning from home
✔ Benefit from a more personalized pace and structure
✔ Want to remain connected to Durham Public Schools while learning virtually

Students at Ignite! receive instruction from DPS educators while participating in a full online school experience designed to support academic growth and engagement.

⏰ The late lottery application deadline is July 31.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.dpsnc.net/o/igniteacademy

Congratulations Francisco Dolz!

Francisco J. Dolz, Health and Physical Education Teacher at Pearsontown Elementary, is now the National Champion in his division after recently competing and placing third at the 2026 USA Taekwondo Nationals in Traditional Forms and 1st in Olympic Sparring in Charlotte.

Summer break is here, but support is always available. 💙

Durham Public Schools wants families to know that mental health resources remain available throughout the summer for students and caregivers who may need support.

Whether a young person is experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, family conflict, or a mental health crisis, help is available.

Resources include:
✅ 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline (call, text, or chat 988)
✅ North Carolina Crisis Services
✅ Mobile Crisis Teams
✅ Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Community Crisis Centers
✅ North Carolina Peer Warmline
✅ NAMI North Carolina Youth & Family Resources

We encourage families to review these resources now so they know where to turn if support is needed during the summer months.

🔗 View the full list of resources: https://bit.ly/4ohzAcL

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

John Norville, known as Jon O, is a teacher at E.K. Powe who says his struggles in school have helped him to understand his own students' struggles and challenges in the classrooms. He's also an artist who's published and illustrated two inspirational children's books. See the story on Spectrum News here:

From struggling in school to becoming a Durham teacher and author School didn’t always come easy for one Durham Public Schools employee, but now his past struggle helps motivate him as a fifth grade teacher as well as a children’s book author and illustrator.