Durham students in the coming years will make new inroads into the City of Medicine.

An early college program for Durham high school students considering careers in healthcare is getting a boost through a $29.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The money will fund a partnership between Durham Public Schools, Durham Technical Community College, and Duke Health.

What’s New with the Program

The new high school program, expected to open in 2025, will be available to students in grades 9-12. They’ll earn both their high school diploma and an associate degree or work credential for aligned healthcare occupations. After graduation, they’ll have a pathway to jobs or research roles at Duke Health.

Durham Tech is currently home to Middle College. It’ll be expanded in a newly renovated space during the next year or so. The first year is expected to see an initial class of 100 ninth graders.

Innovating and Opening Pathways

“This partnership is about much more than an innovative educational approach,” said Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton in a news release. “It’s about creating a high-quality pathway to some of the most important jobs in our community. It’s about making sure our healthcare workforce looks like the patients it serves. It’s about improving the quality of patient health outcomes for all. It’s about the role of education and health in improving people’s lives.”

Pascal Mubenga, superintendent of Durham Public Schools, said the partnership “marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to provide students with unparalleled opportunities and prepare them for successful futures in the dynamic health sciences sector.”

Duke University Health System, with hospitals, clinics, and other patient care services, is expected to hire at least 60 students directly after graduation.

“This exciting new partnership encompasses education, research, patient care, and community enhancement to advance a bold and innovative healthcare education model for Durham,” said Vincent E. Price, president of Duke University. “We are grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for supporting this vital work, and thankful for our innovative regional partners as we create compelling new opportunities for Durham students and address critical workforce shortages.”

The early college high school will be part of DPS, operated in tandem by DPS and Durham Tech. DPS is expected to provide teachers, a principal, support staff, student services, and curricular resources.

“For too long, our education system has failed to prepare students for good jobs in high-growth industries,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP and former mayor of New York City. “By combining classroom learning with hands-on experience, these specialized healthcare high schools will prepare students for careers with opportunities for growth and advancement. America needs more healthcare workers, and we need a stronger, larger middle class – and this is a way to help accomplish both goals.”

This grant is one of 10 awarded nationally.

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