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 next year officially began in January. In order to hold a spot for 2026-2027 at the time of registration, you will pay a registration fee of $75 for returning students ($85 for new students). All registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Currently enrolled children received an application through their school folder. Applications for siblings may be requested from the office. Priority for registration is as follows:
In order to retain priority, your completed application must be received by the February 6th deadline. After this date, enrollment will be first come, first served.
Class offerings for each age level are determined by initial enrollment numbers. We may be able to offer the following:
To retain your spot, May 2027 Tuition will be due by March 6th.
Supply Fees are $125 per student in the 2s/3s. For our Pre-K and Kindergarten students, the Supply Fee will be $155 and will include the yearly field trip fee. Supply Fees are due May 10th. Our bookkeeper will send reminder invoices for each payment.
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).
I am so, so grateful for the years my two children spent at Duke Memorial Weekday School. DMWS gave my children the safe and loving environment they needed to learn and grow. The teachers at DMWS went above and beyond to care for them and teach them, and our family has so many happy memories from our time at this wonderful school.
~Loralie
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 CalendarMarch 4: Parents’ Council Meeting
March 6: Book Mobile Visit
March 10: Dining Out with DMWS – Chipotle ( 2608 Erwin Rd. )
March 13: Movie Night
March 20: Board of Directors Meeting
March 23: Staff meeting – No Lunch Bunch
March 30-April 6: Spring Break
April 9: In house field trip k/pre-k
April 11: Spring Carnival and Silent Auction
April 13 & 14: Class Picture Days
Many thanks for participating in our annual canned food drive. DMWS delivered 287 non-perishable items to Urban Ministries of Durham Food Pantry on February 19. Before the delivery, the children lined our hallway with cans. In addition to sorting activities, they counted, investigated weight, and compared sizes! (We even measured Mrs. Hardin’s height in cans.)
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 Summer Camp registration is open! Registration forms were sent home through school folders. This summer, DMWS will offer 5 weeks of camp for children who are RISING 3’s through RISING 2nd graders.
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. Themes for camp weeks will be announced later.
