News

Eighteen members of the Durham Academy speech and debate team competed in the National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament June 14–20. The qualifiers — who competed online due to the COVID-19 pandemic — earned a slew of individual honors, as well as team recognition as a School of Outstanding Distinction

Several Durham Academy athletics teams plan to conduct summer workouts with the following guidelines in place. All summer workouts are entirely voluntary; if at any point, the student-athlete, parent or coach feels uncomfortable participating, they should stop. 

Durham Academy invites families, faculty and staff to join us for a conversation about the roots of systemic racism in America and its present-day implications, law enforcement's relationship to the community and how to engage in anti-racist work as White allies. 

The sickening realities made visible by the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, along with the protests that have followed, have deeply affected us and our faculty and staff, families, students and alumni.

It’s not often that an entire generation of children lives through a seminal, life-altering event. The global COVID-19 outbreak has affected every facet of children’s existence — the reinvention of school at home, their ability to socialize and see their friends, their dependence on devices for everyday connections to classmates and teachers, their newfound independence and creativity, and their sense of safety and security prompted by a national quarantine.

Senior Jack Linger, who passed away just before the start of the school year, completed a cross-country cycling journey last summer as part of an independent study project. 

Virtual meetings with teachers turned into surprise award presentations, with family members and other teachers popping in to bear witness, for a few dozen seniors on Friday.

Durham Academy’s annual Upper School Spring Dance Concert and assembly, which would have been held one week ago today, has two showcase pieces — the Senior Dance, choreographed entirely by students, and the Faculty Dance, a piece that’s a fan favorite because it prompts teachers to model what learning and vulnerability (or bravery) look like.

When senior members of Durham Academy’s speech and debate team left campus for spring break, they weren’t sure if they’d ever compete again. With the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic hanging over them, it seemed unlikely that they’d be able to compete in culminating in-person tournaments, even if they could ultimately return to campus.

The following businesses — all owned by Durham Academy parents, alumni, parents of alumni and others in the DA community — are open to customers, patients and clients at this time.

Friday, April 24, will mark the reinvention of Special Olympics as a day designed to put the same smiles on athletes’ faces. Virtual Special Olympics will let the athletes know that everyone involved in the event is still connected to them in spirit, even if they can’t connect with them in person.

With the impact of the coronavirus having extended far beyond those who are infected — with thousands in our community being unable to work, attend school, and get access to food — Durham Academy Upper School Student Government is working to support our community, and the entire DA community can help! Student Government has organized a collection drive beginning Friday, April 24, and running through Sunday, April 26.

Sisters Riley '24 and Graysie '25 Auman have launched a read-a-thon to support Feed the Fight Durham, and they're encouraging the entire DA community to join them

The Durham Academy Alumni Board has selected two accomplished alumni and a beloved faculty member to honor with distinguished awards.

Virtually surrounded by coaches, teammates, teachers and friends — and with an abundance of hugs and high-fives from family members at home — six Durham Academy seniors committed to continue their athletic careers in college on Wednesday.