What grade levels will the school serve?

In Fall of 2026, we will offer 200 seats to rising 9th-grade students. Each year after that we will add a grade level until the school is fully developed, serving grades 9-12 with approximately 650 students.

Where are you located?

The school is located in Research Triangle Park at 100 Capitola Drive, Durham, NC 27713. We are purchasing the full 65,000 square foot building and adjacent 7 acre plot of land next door. The building will be fully owned by the school. We are currently operating a front office here, please schedule a time to come meet us.

What courses will you offer?

While CCHS is a STEM school, we will offer courses that evenly distribute STEM and humanities courses with an emphasis on AP courses (up to 18) and the Project Lead the Way STEM program. We will update our course offerings list in the near future, but families should expect a balance of STEM and humanities courses that will satisfy the NC state requirements for graduation as well help students be competitive for top colleges.

Is there a tuition?

No. Carolina Collegiate is a public charter school and there is no tuition. The school will levy some small fees each year that will be in accordance with local public school fee structures (e.g. sports and field trips), but there is no cost to attend the school.

What time of day will school operate?

The school anticipates starting its day at 8:45am and running until 3:30pm with sponsored after-school programming like clubs and sports running immediately after. This is subject to change a little bit, but that is the intended timeframe for our school day.

Will you run a traditional or year-round schedule?

No. While the school leadership deeply supports the purpose and values of a year-round schedule, the interscholastic activities like sports, clubs, and college-entry testing for high schools requires us to be on a traditional calendar. (The 2026 school calendar will be posted soon)

Are you a Non-Profit?

Yes. Carolina Collegiate is a stand-alone non-profit 501c3 and does not have any relationships with for-profit entities or charter management organizations.

Will you offer clubs?

Yes! Clubs are a part of the rich fabric of a student’s high school experience. The school has set aside a $250,000 annual budget (at full growth) to support the development of our club programming. To date, the school has established relationships to provide robotics, rocketry, coding/hacking, art, dance, music, theatre, and gardening clubs. Over time student interests will help us build an wide array of interests that the school will support. The school has programmed a black box theatre, dance studio, music room, and art studio into the school’s floor plans.

Will you offer sports?

Absolutely. We strongly believe in supporting student development through athletics, clubs, and other extracurriculars. We are preparing to offer cross country, soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, track, swim, and others. Keep in mind that student demand will drive future sports; the school is prepared to support a wide range of student interests with a robust sports budget each year. The school will own 7 acres of land next to the building and has plans to develop fields and a gym in Year 2.

Will you offer Arts courses?

Yes! Art drives the intersection of engineering and design and is a fundamentally critical part of a STEM education. We anticipate offering a variety of arts courses over time beginning with graphic design courses in the 9th-grade The school has programmed a black box theatre, music room, dance studio, and art studio into the school’s floor plans.

Will you provide transportation?

Yes! We believe that transportation should not be a barrier to attending our school. The school has a budget model to provide bus transportation as early as Year 1, but most likely by Year 2. The school is also located within 75 feet of a local bus stop. Lastly, the school will have ample parking spots for student drivers and carpools.

Do you take students with IEPs?

Yes! CCHS will have a student support program, including an Exceptional Children’s Department. We believe that all students should have access to an exceptional education. By the way… in case you need to hear it from us, it is illegal for a school to tell you they won’t support your student; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Will you offer financial support for lunch and other fees?

Yes! We have a budget model and program that will support free or reduced-price meals for students and methods to support fees.

Who can attend the school?

CCHS is a public charter high school, and tuition is free; there is no selection process, but there is a lottery, and there are criteria for eligibility. Students must enter the school through the lottery (the lottery will close on February 28th). The school currently has an articulation agreement with The Expedition School and Alamance Community School (more to come).

Who is eligible (2026)?

In our founding year (2026), the school will accept 200+ 9th-grade students based on the following eligibility criteria:

• The student is a rising 9th-grader (we cannot accept rising 10th-graders in Year 1)
• The student is eligible for promotion from their current 8th-grade school
• The student is not currently suspended or hasn’t been expelled
• The student is a resident of North Carolina. If you are a Military family moving to the area, please contact us (hooah, oorah, hooyah!)

Important notes about eligibility and inclusive admissions:

We hate that this has to be said, but just know that the school is insistent on building a belonging-based community and commits to admitting students of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender. The school will not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, or disability, in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes, N.C.G.S. § 115C-238.29F(g)(5)