On August 7, 2025, the new Durham Early College for Health Sciences (DECHS) welcomed 104 incoming 9th graders to their new journey towards careers in healthcare. The school is a collaborative effort between Durham Public Schools, Durham Technical Community College, and Duke Health to create pathways for students from high school into careers at Duke Health. DECHS is supported by a $29.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies and is part of the organization’s first-of-its-kind, national initiative to create health care-focused high schools in 10 communities across the country.
Duke celebrates a powerful milestone: the first day of school at the Durham Early College of Health Sciences, a groundbreaking partnership between Duke Health, Durham Public Schools, and Durham Tech funded by a transformative $29.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Students will earn diplomas and healthcare credentials, launching careers that serve their community.
This past March, Duke was proud to host the inaugural Signing Day event for the rising 9th graders who had accepted admission into DECHS. Watch the video!
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