Interdisciplinary Studies courses prepare students to become expert researchers, entrepreneurs, leaders and teachers.
Students develop skills for understanding the world and solving problems by applying tools from multiple academic disciplines.
This experience prepares them for the many pursuits outside academia that do not fall into disciplinary categories.
Many of these courses are experiential and project-based, empowering students to put their knowledge into action in meaningful ways — from leading seminars on sustainability topics and crafting personal mission statements, to helping real businesses solve problems and developing deep, one-to-one tutoring relationships with local elementary students.
The Pathway Scholars program empowers Durham Academy students to pursue individualized genuine interests with purpose and passion. Scholars may choose one of the predefined Pathway focus areas — Entrepreneurship, Global Citizenship and Sustainability — or design their own Pathway. Scholars commit to a unique and powerful learning experience grounded in research, problem-solving, creative thinking, scholarship and real-world application. This interdisciplinary opportunity transcends the boundaries of traditional subject areas.
Grade 9 Life Skills is not a diploma requirement, but all ninth-grade students will automatically be enrolled in the Grade 9 Life Skills course, which consists of four components: a Technology and Sustainability rotation; a Self and Community module; the Health, Wellness and First Aid seminar; and an optional component dedicated to physical activity.
This course will explore philanthropic philosophies and their evolution, evaluate models for addressing community needs such as voluntary, non-profit, for-profit, joint public/private and analyze the reasoning behind various organizational approaches.
Developing Effective Leadership is designed to equip future leaders with a fundamental understanding of what leadership is and how an individual can develop the necessary skills to become an effective leader as a key component of both individual and community growth.
This course explores competing theories and necessary interdependence of morality, happiness and productivity. It challenges students to reconsider, refine and recommit to the virtues and values that matter most to them.
Students work in teams to identify and solve real problems presented to them by a real local or global business. This is a great opportunity for résumé-building, networking and gaining important life skills.
In this course, students use a variety of software to create The Evergreen, Durham Academy’s yearbook. This student-centered publication aims to tell the story of the school year through photography and text.
In a course designed to prepare students for success in college economics courses, Economics introduces students to essential concepts with concise readings and video lessons.
“What do you want to learn?” When the answer falls outside of Durham Academy’s curriculum, an independent study opportunity provides support for student exploration.
Seniors who are selected to serve as Peer Educators will be trained to teach the Self and Community section of the Grade 9 Life Skills course.
This course is a collaboration among Durham Academy Upper School, the Augustine Literacy Project - Triangle (ALP-T), and Durham Public Schools. It combines three focus areas: a rigorous, systematic, multi-sensory, phonetic teaching approach to address language-related learning difficulties; a full-year, one-to-one tutoring relationship with a child at a local Durham elementary school; and outreach into the Durham community to address the needs of children who struggle with reading, writing and spelling.
This course will provide students with the requisite foundation in research skills and community engagement. Students will learn the principles of service learning and design thinking as they deepen their critical consciousness about our local and global communities and partner with community leaders and organizations.
Psychology is a young and ever-evolving science. This course will cover a variety of psychology’s fundamental concepts and theories while also considering how our understanding changes with emerging data and recognition of individual differences; cultural, biological and social influences; and our perceptual biases.
ADV Research is a fast-paced course that explores the complexities of real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. The goal is to provide students with the tools to evaluate information accurately and make compelling, evidence-based arguments.
This course will provide a structure for students to build and implement the projects they began in ADV Community-Based Research. Projects will be grounded in research, problem-solving, creative thinking, scholarship and real-world application.
In Advanced Thesis, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct academic, independent research of choice in order to produce and defend a scholarly academic paper.
Rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who wish to pursue unique, enriching, out-of-the-box learning experiences may apply for financial support in the form of a grant from the Jack Linger Explorers Fund. This fund was established by the Linger family in 2020 in memory of Jack Linger ’20, who rode his bicycle across the United States in search of new perspectives on the major issues facing our country, particularly climate change and the environment.
Pathway Scholars imagine, design and implement community-based research projects. Students may apply for funding to support their projects through the DA Community Engagement Microgrant fund. They will enroll in two semester courses: ADV Community-Based Research, followed by ADV Pathway Scholars. The culminating event is the Research Symposium at which scholars demonstrate their learning to the wider community by presenting their project. Pathway Scholars receive distinctions on their transcripts.