Free Private Schooling for Low-Income Students in Durham

In 1995, the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC-Chapel Hill partnered with Union Baptist Church in Durham to launch The Durham Scholars Program, an initiative aimed at improving academic performance among low-income and minority children in some of Durham's poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods.

Since that time, of the 240 students from grades 6-12 who participated in after-school, weekend and summer tutoring/mentoring efforts, 80% graduated from high school and half went on to college.

This summer, the program will expand by offering early intervention to elementary-aged children at Union Independent School. The school initially will serve 75 students in grades K-2 and will add a new kindergarten class each year until it becomes a K-8 school.

Children residing in the 172-block area known as "Northeast-Central Durham" were eligible to apply and were chosen by lottery to attend the school for free. The lottery deadline was May 1st, and acceptance letters were mailed on Monday. The school is slated to open July 15.

You can read more about the Durham Scholars Program and Union Independent School here and here.