Begun in 1999, this program is designed to help motivate 330 8th graders in the Durham Public Schools to aim for college. The program targets students from families with no prior college experience. The students spend a full school day at Duke in groups of 10, visiting labs, meeting faculty, and touring campus (including the residence halls) while accompanied by Duke staff and students.

The timing of School Days is critical as the students will be signing up for their high school course of study in the spring. If they select a non-college course of study and change their mind, it is very difficult for them to catch up.

Read more about School Days here, at the GoDuke site, or see a short video.