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Igniting
A Love of Learning
Preschool
Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten
Preschool represents a special time in children’s lives, when they are full of natural curiosity and wonder about how the world works. At Durham Academy Preschool, pre-kindergartners and kindergartners develop a sense of self and self-confidence, learn to share responsibility and make lifelong friendships. Here, your child will be known and loved by teachers who recognize and nurture each child’s gifts, helping them set goals and experience success.
What's a Typical Day Like for a DA Preschooler?
Well, our days are more magical than typical, but here's a taste of what your child will experience as a kindergarten student.
![A Preschool student arrives for school.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157150/durham/plv1r0jnzo9bmu8qkrtv/1PSArrival.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157150/durham/plv1r0jnzo9bmu8qkrtv/1PSArrival.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157150/durham/plv1r0jnzo9bmu8qkrtv/1PSArrival.jpg","width":600}])
- 7:30–8:15 a.m.
![Kindergartners gather for Morning Meeting with classmates and teachers.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157138/durham/sv81kowfy0szpyrofa8q/2PSMorningMeeting.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157138/durham/sv81kowfy0szpyrofa8q/2PSMorningMeeting.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157138/durham/sv81kowfy0szpyrofa8q/2PSMorningMeeting.jpg","width":600}])
- 8:15 a.m.
![Student math exercise using chains: How many days have we been in school?]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157126/durham/svjbj9bujuohwygt8d0b/3-PS-Math.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157126/durham/svjbj9bujuohwygt8d0b/3-PS-Math.jpg","width":400}])
- 8:30 a.m.
![Preschool student speaking in Spanish class.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157109/durham/nr0dtprmk40bldnxfeia/4-PS-Spanish.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157109/durham/nr0dtprmk40bldnxfeia/4-PS-Spanish.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157109/durham/nr0dtprmk40bldnxfeia/4-PS-Spanish.jpg","width":600}])
- 8:55 a.m.
![Preschool students performing at Fall Songfest.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157097/durham/yhfkx8hunfgtj6i0pe8z/5-PS-Music.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157097/durham/yhfkx8hunfgtj6i0pe8z/5-PS-Music.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157097/durham/yhfkx8hunfgtj6i0pe8z/5-PS-Music.jpg","width":600}])
- 9:30 a.m.
![A Preschool student arrives for school.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157077/durham/lekh7oltonnxppusseml/6-PS-Math-Work-Places.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157077/durham/lekh7oltonnxppusseml/6-PS-Math-Work-Places.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157077/durham/lekh7oltonnxppusseml/6-PS-Math-Work-Places.jpg","width":600}])
- 10 a.m.
![Preschoolers playing on a metal play structure during recess.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157061/durham/e3u6aap6c0z0gqnfpbgm/7-PS-Morning-Recess.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157061/durham/e3u6aap6c0z0gqnfpbgm/7-PS-Morning-Recess.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157061/durham/e3u6aap6c0z0gqnfpbgm/7-PS-Morning-Recess.jpg","width":600}])
- 10:30 a.m.
![A Preschool student reads a picture book.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157047/durham/h104vijgp3bympsj4mmr/8-PS-LA.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157047/durham/h104vijgp3bympsj4mmr/8-PS-LA.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157047/durham/h104vijgp3bympsj4mmr/8-PS-LA.jpg","width":600}])
- 10:50 a.m.
![The kindergarten's Global Citizens unit culminates each year in the Kindergarten Olympics.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157037/durham/ukr6oclho7fvfy48mbmc/9-PS-Social-Studies.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157037/durham/ukr6oclho7fvfy48mbmc/9-PS-Social-Studies.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157037/durham/ukr6oclho7fvfy48mbmc/9-PS-Social-Studies.jpg","width":600}])
- 11:50 a.m.
![An Emerald Pond retirement center resident reads to Durham Academy Preschoolers.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695156995/durham/m2y21a29uczxvdaqwb5g/10-PS-Lunchtime.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695156995/durham/m2y21a29uczxvdaqwb5g/10-PS-Lunchtime.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695156995/durham/m2y21a29uczxvdaqwb5g/10-PS-Lunchtime.jpg","width":600}])
- 12:20 p.m.
![Preschool students work on a watercolor project.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157168/durham/he8yfafyl7lgk0thwucr/3PSArt.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157168/durham/he8yfafyl7lgk0thwucr/3PSArt.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157168/durham/he8yfafyl7lgk0thwucr/3PSArt.jpg","width":600}])
- 1:20 p.m.
![Kindergartners gather with classmates on the floor.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695157006/durham/fzqz3ivsvfbfcyt5zqj0/12-PS-ClosingCircle.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695157006/durham/fzqz3ivsvfbfcyt5zqj0/12-PS-ClosingCircle.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695157006/durham/fzqz3ivsvfbfcyt5zqj0/12-PS-ClosingCircle.jpg","width":600}])
- 2:20 p.m.
Bold Balance for Our Youngest Learners
Your child's lifelong love of learning begins right here. At the Preschool age, children are forming lasting impressions of school and of themselves as learners — and a positive Preschool experience will pay dividends in your child's future academic achievement. Our teachers create a caring and supportive environment in which each child grows from both challenges and successes.
We really work for bold balance. We want our students to be immersed in developmentally appropriate learning experiences but also push them to take risks and explore and fail — and to learn from that failure. ... And we bring families in to help us create this foundation for learning that their children will stand on in first grade and beyond.
Christian Hairston-Randleman
Director of Preschool
The Everyday Extraordinary
Durham Academy's focus on preparing students for moral, happy and productive lives begins from their very first day as Preschoolers. In addition to building core academic skills, your child will experience abundant opportunities each day to develop their character and creativity and explore passions — from class plays and cooking lessons, to music class and visits from Upper Schoolers eager to share about their interests and culture.
Intergenerational Experiences
Among the Preschool's most treasured traditions is a longstanding partnership with the nearby Emerald Pond retirement community. Students visit with Emerald Pond residents several times a year, bringing along handmade seasonal decorations and singing songs.
We Welcome Visitors — and Questions!
A website can only do so much to convey the experience of being part of our school community. Durham Academy Preschool is one of the happiest places on Earth — and we encourage you to experience it for yourself by visiting our campus!
We also know that you may have questions about affording a Durham Academy education. We encourage you to apply for financial aid if you believe you need any level of support and to reach out to chat about the financial aid or admission process.
Life @ DA Preschool
Raising a child in an inescapably digital world is a recipe for pitfalls and potholes. That’s why the Durham Academy Family Matters speaker series turned to Dr. Devorah Heitner, an author who provides parents and families with strategies to help their children build lasting, constructive habits around social media usage and screen time.
It’s time for this group to experience a Preschool art tradition: the Paralympics project, a celebration of the tenacity and perseverance of athletes with disabilities.
This holiday season, you could find an annual tradition of giving in every corner of DA — from each of its four divisions to the DA Family Association. Community partnerships old and new reminded students, staff and families of how simple it can be to get involved, to lift up others and to renew a spirit of service.