Strong foundations built with joy and purpose
Where your child is truly seen, supported, and guided on their unique path.
Launching in Fall 2026 with K-3rd grade (ages 5 to 9)!
Join our mailing list to get updates on upcoming events and info sessions.
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. Purpose Schools has a Montessori primary and lower-elementary program and a project-based upper-elementary and middle school program.
In preschool 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 5-9 (Kindergarten through third grade) in our opening year. We will then add one or two grade levels per year to grow with our learners.
What does a day at Purpose look like?
Learners at Purpose School 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 lower elementary classroom is below:
8:00-8:30am — Drop Off
8:30-8:45am — Morning Circle
8:45-11:45am — Morning Work Cycle (personalized activities in reading, math, geography, science, etc. Includes weekly 1:1 advisory meeting with your child’s teacher)
11:45am-12:45pm — Lunch & Outdoor Time
12:45pm-1:15pm — Reading Block (independent reading to transition back to focused work)
1:15-3:45pm — Afternoon Work Cycle (real-world projects, research, and writing as well as regular opportunities for field trips, and activities in art, gardening, science experiments, etc.)
3:45-4:00pm — Closing Circle
Note: Our Extended Day program is available from 4-5:30pm for an additional annual fee of $3,000, eligible for financial aid. Please reach out to admissions@purposeschools.org to inquire about this program and financial aid options.
Still exploring? Get updates on enrollment, info sessions, and school launch news.
Where is Purpose Schools?
We’re launching our first school in Durham, NC. Our site will be in South Durham, near Duke University’s Campus — within about a 10-minute drive of central Durham neighborhoods.
We’re currently finalizing our location and expect to announce it soon! Join our mailing list to be the first to know.
How much does Purpose Schools cost?
Purpose Schools is an independent school committed to serving families across income levels. We offer need-based financial aid so that each family’s out-of-pocket contribution is individualized based on their financial situation (assessed via a third-party service). We also help families access state and local funding to cover a significant portion of tuition, including Opportunity Scholarships and ESA+.
Our full tuition is competitive with local independent schools, and many families are eligible for significant support.
We’re here to support 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?
Our school is based in Montessori principles, but also draws from other evidence-based, values-aligned models and may not always resemble a traditional Montessori classroom. We are launching with a mixed-age lower-elementary classroom (Kindergarten to 3rd grade) that will feature uninterrupted work cycles including authentic Montessori materials and lessons as well as project-based learning.
Key Montessori principles we incorporate include the prepared environment, freedom within limits, natural consequences, respect for the child, and self-directed learning.
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.
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.
Want to learn more?
Join our mailing list to get updates on our campus, our founding head of school, and our upcoming in-person events.
¿Habla español? Contáctenos para información en español: info@purposeschools.org