We welcome all families from the diverse Durham community to our preschool and kindergarten, feeling that the inclusion of a variety of backgrounds provides an enriching experience for students.
At DMWS, our emphasis is on establishing an atmosphere of love, support, and security, and on building self-confidence in our students. This provides the wellspring that slates a child for success as a human being.
A stimulating environment with many and varied activities encourages hands-on experiences, fostering a desire to think, question and discover. Wide ranges of activities that are vitally important to children’s development are lumped together under the word “play”. Through play, children learn and polish social, emotional, physical, and mental skills. Play is children’s work!
We want the preschool experience to be a positive one with success after success to build on, and we strive to provide this experience for our students at Duke Memorial Weekday School.
Registration for 2025-2026 officially begins on January 29th. In order to hold a spot at the time of registration, you will pay a registration fee. All registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
During the week of January 21-24, you will receive an application for each of your currently enrolled children through their school folder. Applications for siblings may be requested from the office. Priority for registration will be as follows:
In order to retain priority, your completed application must be received by the February 7th deadline.
Tuition rates and registration fees for 2025-2026 will be set by our Board of Directors in December.
Class offerings for each age level are determined by initial enrollment numbers. We may be able to offer the following:
In accordance with guidelines from the NC DHHS and the CDC all individuals who come in direct contact with students at Duke Memorial Weekday School during school hours are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including but not limited to teachers, the director, substitutes, 1:1 teachers and shadows.
DMWS is mask optional. We follow guidelines from the NC Department of Health and Human Services. As guidelines change, we will respond accordingly.
The Director will determine if Duke Memorial Weekday School will be open, closed, or operate on a delay in the event of inclement weather or extenuating circumstances, using Durham Public Schools as a guideline.
This means we will not always follow Durham Public Schools.
Factors considered when assessing whether to close, open on time or on a delay include, but are not limited to: teacher availability to fulfill Safe Sanctuaries requirements, the condition of Memorial Drive/sidewalks along Memorial Drive, and timing of the inclement weather event. Parents should check for cancellation/delay information on WTVD and WRAL. Attempts will be made to notify all families by email and Remind text. The decision as to whether or not Duke Memorial Weekday School opens on a delay will be made with the utmost consideration of safety for all of our families and staff members. Duke Memorial Weekday School will build up to 4 makeup days into the school calendar. Use of these makeup days is at the discretion of the Director.
No peanuts or peanut butter will be allowed in DMWS classrooms. Children who bring lunches to school for Kindergarten or Lunch Bunch may use other nut butters (cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc).
DMWS has been such a wonderful preschool for our family. We have been at DMWS at every age level, including Kindergarten. Our kids have thrived there- we have had the kindest, most nurturing and loving teachers & staff. Their preschool days are filled with play, outdoor time, music, fitness, art, books and so many other fun activities, along with structured times that are preparing them for school in the future. We love the community and the amazing history of preschool and kindergarten at Duke Memorial!
~ Kristen
DMWS has provided a nurturing and engaging learning environment for both of my children from the time they enrolled at the age of 2 through kindergarten. The teachers and staff are fully committed to helping the students grow and learn and utilize fun and creative ways of teaching. I will always be so thankful that my children were able to receive their early childhood education at such a wonderful school.
~Susan
Upcoming special days and events on our Duke Memorial Weekday School CalendarDec. 4 – Parents Council Meeting
Dec. 4 – Kindergarten Open House 2025-26 ( RSVP Required)
Dec. 6 – Book Mobile visit
Dec. 9-13 – Duke OT Students working with DMWS
Dec. 11 & 12 – Christmas Story in Sanctuary
Dec. 16 – Staff Meeting – No Lunch Bunch
Dec. 20 – Last day of School before Christmas break.
Jan. 6 – First Day of School after break
Jan. 20 – MLK Jr. Holiday – No School
We do not have a Dining Out with DMWS planned for November at this time but stay tuned for details for our December Dining Out with DMWS event.
We would like to thank Jersey Mike’s (1835 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Durham) for hosting our October Dining Out event!
The Duke Memorial carpool system has been devised to ensure the optimum safety of your child. With your help and cooperation, our students can be loaded and unloaded in just a few minutes. Use the map below to be sure you are prepared to follow correct carpool procedures as we start the school year.
DMWS will hold an Open House for parents to learn more about kindergarten at Duke Memorial Weekday School Wednesday, December 4th starting at 12:15 pm. This event will include opportunities to see the classroom, speak with the lead teacher, and ask questions.
Please call the school office at 919-688-5130 or send an email to julieallen@dmws.org to register for this in-person event.
Depending on the number of attendees, a second Open House may be scheduled.
