The school at a glance
Durham Academy belongs in an affordability comparison because it documents substantial need-based support, rather than because its standard tuition is low. The nonsectarian day school serves students from pre-kindergarten through graduation and offers grants rather than loans. Its published average award provides context, but cannot predict what a particular middle-income household will receive. Families should budget for the new-student capital fee, books in later grades, and required tuition-refund insurance for aid recipients. Some assistance also extends to after-school costs and other expenses. Durham Academy currently says it does not participate in Opportunity, so the affordability case rests on school aid. It is a useful Triangle alternative for families prepared to compare a complete written award with other offers. Current pages pair 2026–27 prices with the next admissions cycle, so applicants should confirm the correct year's costs.
Aid-supported nonsectarian comparison with documented sizeable grants and support beyond tuition; high sticker price requires actual award.
PUBLISHED COSTS · 2026-2027
Tuition is the starting point.
| Grade / rate conditions | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Pre-K–K | $28,700 |
| 1–4 | $33,500 |
| 5–8 | $35,100 |
| 9–12 | $37,500 |
Full tuition, before aid. Aid statistics are school-reported aggregates, not projected net prices.
Grade, family-size, parish, program, and eligibility labels are part of each price. Do not sort or compare an unqualified minimum; family totals and conditional contributions are not individual sticker tuition.
Required fees
- New-student capital fee
- amount: 3000; currency: USD; notes: Unknown
- Application Pre-K–4
- amount: 125; currency: USD; notes: Current admissions cycle; hardship reductions available
- Application 5–12
- amount: 75; currency: USD; notes: Current admissions cycle; hardship reductions available
- Books 5–12
- amount: Unknown; currency: USD; notes: School estimates $500–$700 annually
- Refund insurance for aid recipients
- amount: Unknown; currency: USD; notes: 0.62% tuition: $177.94–$232.50
- Deposit
- amount: Unknown; currency: USD; notes: 10% tuition credited to first payment; not an extra charge
- External admissions testing
- amount: Unknown; currency: USD; notes: Applicable grades; hardship waivers possible
Additional costs to ask about
- Extended day
- amount: Unknown; currency: USD; notes: Up to $5,585/year published; aid also applies to after-school expenses
School aid & discounts
- Need-based Clarity grants; $65 application. School reports $5.5m annual aid budget, 19% receiving aid, $22,537 average award. Cannot meet every demonstrated need; averages are not predicted awards.
State scholarship participation
- Opportunity Scholarship
- status: not participating, school-confirmed; verification: Official admissions FAQ expressly says Durham Academy is not participating.
- ESA+
- status: unknown; verification: Only explicit school participation counts; a general program link is insufficient.
- notes
- Participation does not guarantee admission, an award, or available funds. Do not assume school-funded aid stacks with a state award.
Deadlines
- 2027 2028 admissions and aid
- 2026-12-07
- warning
- Upcoming deadline is 2027–28; listed tuition is 2026–27.
What still needs checking
- 2027–28 tuition
- ESA+ participation
- Family-specific aid
- Any additional activity charges
CHECK THE ORIGINAL INFORMATION
Sources & verification
- Affording Durham Academycurrent tuition, fees, need-based aid, deadline
- Admission FAQsOpportunity nonparticipation, application fees, deposit, insurance, aid beyond tuition
- Official admissions viewbooknonsectarian day-school identity; historical brochure, not current pricing
Checked 2026-10-07. Prices and availability can change. This profile is a researched starting point, not an endorsement or an aid determination.