Signature Programs

The first grade class has had a special relationship with the Ronald McDonald House of Durham — which serves families whose seriously ill children are undergoing treatment at Duke Hospital  — for more than 20 years. Each school year kicks off with all first-graders touring the house, and throughout the school year, students create seasonal decorations for the house and collect soda can tabs as part of a RMH fundraiser. 

In second grade, students learn all about their local community, from jobs and government roles to transportation and the economy. Each fall, second-graders spend two days in downtown Durham visiting with a few of the people who make up our community — at a fire station, the post office, the courthouse and Durham Bulls Athletic Park, on Black Wall Street and in the City Council Chambers with our mayor, just to name a few.

Throughout the school year, third-graders learn about the gentle giants cared for at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Each fall, students hand-make unique turtle-themed items (like clay magnets, jewelry and games) and then sell their handiwork to fellow Lower Schoolers and Preschoolers at the Sea Turtle Gift Shop. Each spring, third-graders travel to Surf City to see the sea turtle hospital's work for themselves, bringing along a check for the gift shop proceeds.

The fourth grade play is a truly student-produced performance, with students acting as writers, actors, costume designers and musicians. Students work together to write a new script each year in drama class, and every fourth-grader has a speaking part and sings. In addition, many students play musical instruments. Students stage the play twice: once for fellow Lower Schoolers, and once for an appreciative audience of parents and friends.