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).
“Duke Memorial has and will always hold a special place in our family’s heart. The staff and administration provided the special care, attention, and guidance our children needed to truly thrive educationally. We will forever be grateful to Duke Memorial Weekday School.”
~Tracey
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 CalendarFeb 3-14 – Canned Food Drive for Urban Ministries of Durham
Feb 5 – Dining Out Pop’s Back Door & Tutti Fruitti
Feb 7 – Book Mobile Visit
Feb 7 – Registration Deadline to retain priority status
Feb 17 & 18 – Teacher Workday, Staff Development
Feb 21 – Board Meeting
Feb 26 – Dining Out Lakewood Social
March 7 – Movie Night at DMWS
March 31-April 4 – Spring Break
Each February, DMWS sponsors a canned food drive to support the Food Pantry at Urban Ministries of Durham. This year, students may bring in canned food items between Feb. 3 and Feb 14. We will line the hallway with the donations and students will be able to use the cans for math activities before we bag them to be donated. The children love seeing the items fill the hallway. Last year we collected 457 nonperishable items- wonder if we can surpass that number this year? Thanks for your support!
We would like to thank Pop’s Backdoor and Tutti Fruitti for hosting our Dining Out with DMWS on February 5th.
We are looking forward to a second Dining Out with DMWS event this month with Lakewood Social hosting us on February 26th! We hope you can come out and support Duke Memorial Weekday School while enjoying a great meal!
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.
Mark your calendars for DMWS Summer Camp! This summer, DMWS will offer 4 weeks of camp for children who are RISING 3’s through RISING 2nd graders.
June 9-13
June 23-27
July 7-11
July 21-25
Camps run 9-12:30 daily. Cost is $190/week. Campers will enjoy a variety of activities including music and fitness opportunities. All campers bring a lunch. DMWS will provide snack. Look for applications in your child’s folder in late February. Themes for camp weeks will be announced soon.
