When relocating to a new town as a parent, you certainly want to know about the school system. In Durham (and Durham County), there is a single unified school district serving 32,000 diverse students from all ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds. The DPS is a large district that has experienced explosive growth as Durham becomes a more desirable place to live. DPS offers traditional schools, magnet programs, a year-round calendar, and small specialty high schools. Three of DPS’s high schools are on US News & World Report’s Best High Schools List for 2018. DPS also offers an early college high school and the Durham School of the Arts. DPS has a focus on farm-to-school meal choices, and breakfast is free for all students regardless of income. DPS has an extensive program for academically and intellectually gifted students, as well as a skilled Exceptional Children Program. A unique thing about DPS is that it partners with Duke Children’s Hospital to allow chronically ill and hospitalized patients to remain in school while staying in the hospital.