Applying to DA
Thank you for considering Durham Academy for your child's future! Our goal is to enroll academically qualified students with diverse backgrounds and talents who will make a positive contribution to the life of the school.
Applicants are admitted on the basis of school reports, transcripts, recommendations, evaluations and Durham Academy's entrance examination. Interviews are required for grades 9 through 12. We welcome applicants of any race, creed, color or national origin, and DA awarded more than $2 million in need-based financial aid for the 2019–2020 school year.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Admissions & Financial Aid Deadline: Pre-K to Grade 12
- Friday, Dec. 13, 2019
Please note that applications received after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
Admissions & Financial Aid Notification Dates
- Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020: Returning DA families and re-enrollment
- Friday, Feb. 14, 2020: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
- Friday, March 6, 2020: Grades 1 to 12
Office of Enrollment Management
For more information or assistance at any stage of the application process, please contact the Office of Enrollment Management via email or at 919-493-5787.
Request Info
If you're just getting started, complete our online Admission Inquiry Form to be added to our mailing list and receive additional information.
Apply
Our online form will guide you through the application process for the 2020–2021 school year. Click below to get started.
Visit
The best way to get to know DA? Come see us! By visiting our campus, you'll have first-hand insight from students, teachers and administrators.
Tour and Information Sessions are held in the fall, and weekly tours are conducted each spring.
Schedule Testing
Entrance testing is required at each grade level.
The DA Office of Enrollment Management coordinates Pre-K through Grade 4 testing; please keep an eye out for communication from our office after you apply.
For Grade 5–12 applicants, we require either the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). For Grade 6–12 applicants, we also require the Character Skills Snapshot. DA will serve as an ISEE test site on Jan. 11 and 25, 2020. Please register directly via the testing agency and share your results with DA. Students needing accommodations will need to register at least 5 weeks in advance. Otherwise, registration must occur three weeks prior to the test date.
Admissions Policy
Durham Academy seeks to enroll students whose abilities, interests and personal qualities offer promise of success in the school's curriculum.
Applicants are required to take an admissions test and to submit grade reports, recommendations and other supporting evidence of their academic and personal strengths. In addition to the above criteria, the school gives consideration to applicants who are: siblings of present students; children of alumni, faculty or staff; and students who will expand under-represented populations in our school.
Durham Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Durham Academy does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, financial aid programs, athletics or other school-administered programs.