When Durham Early College of Health Sciences launched its inaugural year in 2025, the students showed up – and stayed. When the healthcare workforce initiative wrapped up year one in spring 2026, nearly all students had plans to return in the fall.
A collaboration between Duke Health, Durham Public Schools, and Durham Technical Community College, the Early College prepares high school students for healthcare and clinical research careers through an innovative curriculum and hands-on learning experiences. This pathway is the first of its kind to provide entry directly from high school into the clinical research workforce.
After its first year of operation, the school reports that all but a single student will return for the next academic year. Principal Joshua Brown calls that a win. “We are still building, but it’s evident that the students feel challenged and appreciated,” he said.
Student feedback noted experiential opportunities such as medical exploration days, where Duke staff provided hands-on exposure to healthcare careers, and the strong supportive teachers and administrators.
Stephanie Freel, PhD, PMP, of the Duke Office of Clinical Research and Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), leads the Duke Workforce Engagement and Resilience Initiatives. “The students are very engaged,” she said, and gave an example of interacting with them at a recent “mobile health rodeo” at the school: “They took the opportunity to ask me questions about my career and what I do on a daily basis.”
The partnership is a unique educational model because of the deep investment by Duke Health, which commits to hiring graduates in fields including clinical research, medical assisting, nursing, and surgical technology.
At a Signing Day event in April, 101 students accepted a spot in the 2026-27 DECHS freshman class.