For more than three decades, Unity Day has been an annual celebration in the Lower School and Preschool, bringing together students and faculty in service learning and friendship. And, of course, in traditions — like the chorus of “Weave” that Preschool and Lower School students alike belted out in their respective Unity Day assemblies.
Service Learning
Since 2017, Durham Academy has made a deliberate shift from students performing acts of community service to students engaging in true service learning.
What's the difference? Well, community service is often a one-way street of benefit, with the volunteer performing an isolated task that helps out the beneficiary, but leaves little impact on the volunteer. In contrast, service-learning experiences are typically sustained activities that are paired with a curricular component. Since we shifted our focus to service learning at Durham Academy, our students and teachers have experienced more authentic partnerships with organizations. Both parties have benefited in real ways; our students have broadened their perspectives and capacity for empathy, while we hope that individuals who are part of the partner organizations truly feel heard and respected.
Service Learning in Action
It’s difficult to foster true empathy or understanding through isolated interactions. It’s essential that our students possess context before entering a project and that they are able to reflect after they see a project through.
Ben Michelman
Middle School Community Engagement Coordinator & Language Arts Teacher
Service Learning News
Eighth-grade civics classes have been abuzz all year long — researching community issues of importance to them and then using class time to turn their ideas into real, tangible and impactful community engagement projects.
At a time when the nation's blood banks at at the lowest they've been in many years — with the lowest number of people donating in the last 20 years — your donation matters more than ever. You can do your part to help save lives Tuesday, Feb. 20, and Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Durham Academy’s annual spring blood drive. The event will be held in the lobby of Kirby Gym on the Upper School campus from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
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.
When she completed her undergraduate degree and earned a two-year deferral to law school, Ava Pacchiana ’18 knew she wanted to spend her extended break doing something different. She did, indeed: expanding childhood education for Ukrainian refugees in Poland, walking 600 miles across France and Spain, and joining an organization dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions.
As an open space specialist with Durham County Engineering and Environmental Services, Bradley is doing his part to solve the planet’s biodiversity crisis — and he’s had some help from hardworking DA 11th-graders.
In 2022–2023, sustainability efforts gained official status through an Innovation Journey Fund grant. We established a Sustainability Leadership Team and contracted with the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education and GreenPlaces.
Our mission-driven students' efforts have included going the extra mile for Book Harvest, using their artistic talents to encourage water conservation, and advocating for a more inclusive future.
Durham Academy is celebrating its 38th year hosting Durham Academy Special Olympics athletes for a day of joy and togetherness.