A Comprehensive Directory of Private, Regional Boarding, Charter and Magnet Schools PRIVATE SCHOOLS BETHESDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1914 S. Miami Blvd., Durham 919-598-0190 bcacrusaders.org Focus Partners with Christian families to help equip students academically, socially, physically and spiritually. Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 160 Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1 Yearly Tuition Elementary, $6,889; Middle, $7,596 Special Requirements Student testing and parent interview. BRIGHT HORIZONS CHILDREN’S CENTER Durham locations: 2352 So-Hi Dr.; 4 UNC-TV Dr.; 1012 Slater Rd.; 4205 Capitol St. 919-686-0080 brighthorizons.com Focus Empowering children from infancy to become confident, successful learners and secure, caring people. Growing young readers, scientists, artists and explorers who are engaged and curious. Programs invite children to approach academics with skills, confidence and a drive for excellence. Grades Infants-Pre-K Total Enrollment Varies per location. Student/Faculty Ratio Varies per location. Yearly Tuition Varies per location. CAMELOT ACADEMY 809 Proctor St., Durham 919-688-3040 camelotacademy.org Focus Features individualized instruction, mastery-based learning and parental involvement. Grades K-12 Total Enrollment 135 Student/Faculty Ratio 11:1 Yearly Tuition $10,900 (K), $13,350 (Grades 1-4), $14,850 (Grades 5-7), $15,850 (Grades 8-12). Award and merit scholarships available. Special Requirements Reading and math assessments and two-day student visit; $50 application fee CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL 1401 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh 919-834-1625 cghsnc.org Focus A college preparatory school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh that aims to form men and women of faith, service and leadership in church and community. Grades 9-12 Total Enrollment 1,550 (approx.) Student/Faculty Ratio 14:1 Yearly Tuition $11,135 - $15,135 Special Requirements Previous school records, testing, application, recommendation and an essay. CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL 4809 Friends School Rd., Durham 919-383-6602 cfsnc.org Focus A vibrant and inclusive learning community inspired by Quaker values that empowers students to think critically, creatively and independently. Grades Pre-K-12 Total Enrollment 500 Student/Faculty Ratio 6:1 in Early School; 9:1 in Lower, Middle and Upper Yearly Tuition See website for tuition ranges by unit; adjusted tuition available. Special Requirements Campus visits are welcome, with both individual and group informational tours available. Application process includes a student visit. Contact admission@cfsnc.org for additional information.

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EDUCATION GLOSSARY CHARTER SCHOOL Supported by public financing and authorized by the State Board of Education, charters are exempt from many standard public school administration regulations. Admission is via lottery rather than neighborhood. Charter schools set their own curriculum and hire their own instructors, of whom 50% must be licensed. Charter schools may be run by independent parent boards, nonprofit organizations or for-profit education service firms. Charter students take North Carolina standardized End of Grade/End of Course tests and participate in the NC School Report Card program. COMMON CORE Common Core is a set of national grade-level goals for math and language arts, such as the ability to multiply two-digit numbers or write a paragraph. Common Core does not apply to science, social studies or other subjects. State and local authorities build local curriculums to meet Common Core goals. Generally, Common Core-based high school-level math classes compare to previous curriculums as: Math I: Equivalent to Algebra I, with a focus on linear and exponential equations. Math II: Equivalent to Geometry, with continued algebra, quadratic equations and probability. Math III: Equivalent to Algebra II, with logarithms, statistics and trigonometry. Unlike math, English common core classes – generally, English I, II and III – teach four basic skills at increasingly complex levels each year: Reading: How students read and comprehend written materials. Writing: Making logical arguments based on sound reasoning and relevant evidence. Speaking/Listening: Evaluating and presenting increasingly complex information, ideas and evidence. Language: Vocabulary and grammar. END-OF-GRADE (EOG) TESTING/NC SCHOOL REPORT CARD Standardized tests administered to all public school students, including those in charter schools, at the end of grades third through eighth. High school students take End-of-Course (EOC) tests after Math I, Biology and English II. Scores measure students’ readiness for advancement and are compiled into the NC School Report Card system, which assigns numerical and letter grades to schools based on achievement and growth (improvement). INDEPENDENT (PRIVATE) SCHOOLS Almost 5,000 students in Durham attend independent schools, with close to 1,200 in Orange County and about 180 in Chatham. About two-thirds of North Carolina’s independent schools have a religious affiliation. Independent in finance

and governance, these schools may follow any curriculum they wish, set their own standards for graduation, and are not required to participate in North Carolina standardized testing (EOGs) or the NC School Report Card program. They have the freedom to serve their distinct missions through their own philosophies, values and approaches to teaching. All must test third-, sixth-, ninth- and 11thgraders using nationally recognized standardized tests. Depending on family income, some independent school students may be eligible for state-subsidized voucher awards, known as Opportunity Scholarships. MAGNET SCHOOL Public, lottery application-based schools that aren’t associated with any particular neighborhood and may focus on unique academic curriculums or programs, such as language immersion, Montessori, international baccalaureate, STEM or the arts. Magnet schools take EOGs and participate in the NC School Report Card service. MONTESSORI A style of teaching, named after the Italian educator Maria Montessori, in which children teach themselves and have more control over their time and choice of topics they can explore. Classrooms are often composed of children of many ages and grades. TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN Meant for 4- to 5-year-olds as a transition from a preschool or day care setting to an elementary school classroom. It is often a child’s first experience in a school and offers extra time for a child to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally before elementary school. E-LEARNING PROGRAM Online learning meant to provide opportunities for accelerated high school and middle school students, offer learning alternatives and increase DPS high school graduation rates. The main purpose of e-learning is to provide students with class options that are not available in school. These courses can be utilized in school computer labs, remote locations and at home. INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) Special education programs created for children with disabilities to help them make “reasonable progress” in school, including passing from grade to grade. EDUCATIONALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS Students who are at risk based on socioeconomic or educational background. STEM Programs with core focuses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to prepare students for college and other upperlevel studies in these fields. • STEAM adds arts. • STREAM adds reading or research and arts. 