Strong foundations built with joy and purpose
Where your child is truly seen, supported, and guided on their unique path.
FAQ
What is a Purpose School?
We are reimagining school with intention and purpose. We believe your child can develop as a confident, independent learner in a joyful environment that fosters their curiosity.
In preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary, your child will enjoy learning and coming to school and develop strong foundations in math and reading. Our mastery-based, self-directed approach supports children in developing skills in time management, goal-setting, and social-emotional learning through their academic work.
As they move into upper elementary and middle school, your child’s curiosity will be unleashed as they build on their strong foundations and develop a sense of self-knowledge and purpose through learning advanced topics, completing real-world projects, and participating in apprenticeships/internships.
What ages does Purpose serve?
We are a preK-8th grade school, but will serve ages 3-7 (pre-K, kindergarten, and 1st grade) in our opening year. We will then add one grade level per year to grow with our learners.
What does a day at Purpose look like?
Younger learners at Purpose are in mixed-age classrooms where they interact with learners close to their age but learn at their own pace. A sample schedule for our Montessori primary (ages 3-6) classroom is below:
8:00-8:30am — Drop Off
8:30-8:45am — Morning Circle
8:45-11:00am — Morning Work Cycle & Snack (personalized activities in reading, math, geography, art, and practical life)
11:00-11:45am — Outdoor Play
11:45am-12:30pm — Lunch
12:30-2:00pm — Nap and Afternoon Work Cycle
Younger learners (usually 3-4 years old) nap or rest on cots
Older learners engage in another self-directed work cycle of reading, geography, math, handwriting, etc.
2:00-2:50pm — Afternoon Exploration (rotating blocks of science experiments, art studio, baking, cultural lessons, music, and movement)
2:50-3:45pm — Outdoor Play
3:45-4:00pm — Closing Circle
Note: Extended Day from 4-6pm is available for an additional $2,500 annual fee. Please reach out to admissions@purposeschools.org to inquire about financial assistance for this program.
When is Purpose Schools opening?
We will open our doors in Fall 2026 for pre-K, kindergarten, and 1st grade learners (ages 3-7).
Still exploring? Get updates on enrollment, info sessions, and school launch news.
How much does Purpose Schools cost?
Purpose Schools is an independent school designed to be accessible to all families. "Because we offer individualized tuition based on each family's financial situation, we prefer to discuss specific costs during a personal conversation where we can explore what's possible for your family. Our full tuition is competitive with local independent schools, and many families are eligible for some form of financial assistance.
We also help families access state and local funding to cover a significant portion of tuition, including:
North Carolina: NC Pre-K, Durham Pre-K, Opportunity Scholarships, ESA+
Florida: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO), Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
We’re here to guide you every step of the way! Please schedule a call or reach out to admissions@purposeschools.org to learn more and explore what’s possible for your family.
Is Purpose Schools a Montessori program?
Yes. Our pre-K and kindergarten learners will be in an authentic, mixed-age Montessori primary classroom with Montessori-certified educators. Our elementary and middle school are grounded in Montessori principles and utilize a combination of Montessori materials, online learning programs, and real-world projects as appropriate.
How does admissions work?
Our admissions process is designed to get to know your child deeply and help your family evaluate whether Purpose Schools is the right fit. We'll explore how we can best support your child while giving you the information you need to make the best decision for your family. Join our mailing list to be notified when applications open for your location.
Purpose Schools welcomes learners with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. We will work closely with your family to determine whether we can meet your child's needs in our current setting.
Where is Purpose Schools?
We are currently building independent schools in:
Durham, NC
Tampa, FL