DA Newsroom
FEATURED
![New Middle School Arts & World Languages Center to Debut in March]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1611683148/durham/whqjx0h2cztwbezylrxo/Cover-Story-big.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1611683148/durham/whqjx0h2cztwbezylrxo/Cover-Story-big.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1611683148/durham/whqjx0h2cztwbezylrxo/Cover-Story-big.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1611683148/durham/whqjx0h2cztwbezylrxo/Cover-Story-big.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1611683148/durham/whqjx0h2cztwbezylrxo/Cover-Story-big.jpg","width":1500}])
Three years in the making and just weeks from completion, the new Middle School Arts & World Languages Center marks the first phase in a multi-year makeover planned for Durham Academy’s Academy Road campus.
![DA Students and Alumni Advocate for Racial Equity Reform]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1612211287/durham/a0n1vpppektn9ffirgvq/Advocates-for-Racial-Equity-Reform.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1612211287/durham/a0n1vpppektn9ffirgvq/Advocates-for-Racial-Equity-Reform.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1612211287/durham/a0n1vpppektn9ffirgvq/Advocates-for-Racial-Equity-Reform.jpg","width":800}])
In July, a group of current students and recent graduates proposed a series of concrete short-term, mid-term and long-term racial equity reforms that Durham Academy could implement to become a more inclusive and fair school community.
![Upper School teacher holding outdoor class]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1608066404/durham/nwfgqjgycp8a2czzrp2i/2020US-home.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1608066404/durham/nwfgqjgycp8a2czzrp2i/2020US-home.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1608066404/durham/nwfgqjgycp8a2czzrp2i/2020US-home.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1608066404/durham/nwfgqjgycp8a2czzrp2i/2020US-home.jpg","width":1180}])
Much of the energy that Durham Academy faculty and staff put into making the school’s hybrid mode of instruction possible this year is beyond quantifying (think countless hours spent reworking lesson plans over the summer and on weekends).
![Girls Tennis]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1600976740/durham/zuztssbycm32dwgaof9s/tennis1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1600976740/durham/zuztssbycm32dwgaof9s/tennis1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1600976740/durham/zuztssbycm32dwgaof9s/tennis1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1600976740/durham/zuztssbycm32dwgaof9s/tennis1.jpg","width":1000}])
When the school went on spring break in early March — and changes that the COVID-19 pandemic would bring were not yet fully apparent — no one knew how long it would be before students and coaches would return to school and resume interscholastic sports.
MISSION-DRIVEN
![Valerie Kennedy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1614866219/durham/prhvy57qogr8uf7u1otw/ValerieKennedy-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1614866219/durham/prhvy57qogr8uf7u1otw/ValerieKennedy-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1614866219/durham/prhvy57qogr8uf7u1otw/ValerieKennedy-2.jpg","width":600}])
Now, no one thinks twice about a Black parent on the DA board or as a president of the Parents Council. But it was courage and allyship that made this possible.
![Kaitlyn Kushner]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1599008389/durham/pg5oqusajvmcq1jsegvy/KaitlynKushner.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1599008389/durham/pg5oqusajvmcq1jsegvy/KaitlynKushner.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1599008389/durham/pg5oqusajvmcq1jsegvy/KaitlynKushner.png","width":632}])
What an amazing journey this has been. I am so happy that I am able to reflect on where this study has taken me and dream about where it will lead me in the future.
![Families Welcome Pandemic Pets]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1592417439/durham/xxy65sau3cesfi8uy6zv/kendall2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1592417439/durham/xxy65sau3cesfi8uy6zv/kendall2.jpg","width":500}])
No matter the pet, DA families have shown a lot of love this spring.
![Middle School Campus]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1586439478/durham/abqa7dh2j7ehglphsqhu/MS-Overview.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1586439478/durham/abqa7dh2j7ehglphsqhu/MS-Overview.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1586439478/durham/abqa7dh2j7ehglphsqhu/MS-Overview.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1586439478/durham/abqa7dh2j7ehglphsqhu/MS-Overview.jpg","width":1180}])
School is where kids and adults can be fully human together, and we need it back.
![A Letter to My Students, April 26]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1594825364/durham/qvqrenlqbqtv1o6fskoo/Teresa-Engebretsen-crop.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1594825364/durham/qvqrenlqbqtv1o6fskoo/Teresa-Engebretsen-crop.jpg","width":500}])
One thing I know for sure, I will never take walking into my classroom in the mornings for granted again.
![Student Startup Moves Operations Online]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1592405620/durham/k6myjzicswsl20kfq7hz/smilingCompanyPicture.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1592405620/durham/k6myjzicswsl20kfq7hz/smilingCompanyPicture.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1592405620/durham/k6myjzicswsl20kfq7hz/smilingCompanyPicture.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1592405620/durham/k6myjzicswsl20kfq7hz/smilingCompanyPicture.jpg","width":1200}])
TeraThought is a mobile app startup powered entirely by students. Our apps have more than 10,000 customers and span a variety of industries from stopwatch/timer apps to green screen solutions to fitness motivation platforms.
COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
Leslie King
Director of Communications
C: 678-613-6707
P: 919-287-1729
Kathy McPherson
Associate Director of Communications
Editor, DA Magazine
919-489-6569 (x6144)
Melody Guyton Butts
Assistant Director of Communications
Manager, DA website, News & Notes
919-489-6569 (x6145)
Sarah Tart
Brand and Design Manager
Art Director, DA Magazine
919-489-6569 (x6153)
Jesse Paddock
Videographer
919-489-6569 (x6154)
Pat James
Social Media Strategist
Manager, DA Social Media
Tim McKenna
Director of Alumni Engagement
Alumni News
919-489-6569 (x6149)
Durham Academy's Office of Communications is responsible for all DA digital platforms and print publications, including the school's website, social media, photography, videos, e-newsletters, bi-annual magazine, and press releases.
We encourage our accomplished faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni and parents of alumni to notify the Office of Communications about personal or professional news, announcements or achievements. Email us so we can share them!
Three years in the making and just weeks from completion, the new Middle School Arts & World Languages Center marks the first phase in a multi-year makeover planned for Durham Academy’s Academy Road campus.
In July, a group of current students and recent graduates proposed a series of concrete short-term, mid-term and long-term racial equity reforms that Durham Academy could implement to become a more inclusive and fair school community.