Morehead Montessori

Morehead Montessori describes its approach as a nurturing, inclusive Montessori environment where children learn through dynamic, hands-on experiences and are supported in reaching their full potential. The school emphasizes independence, curiosity, respect, and responsibility, with multi-age, student-centered learning designed to support the whole child’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.

Morehead Montessori Magnet Elementary (Durham Public Schools) admits students through the district’s Magnet/CTE Pathways lottery (not by applying directly to the school), including Montessori Pre-K seats. (dpsnc.net) For the 2026–27 school year, the lottery application window ran January 5–January 30, 2026 (closing at 5:00 p.m.); families apply online, rank up to three choices, and must submit/finish edits by the deadline (late applications are not accepted). (dpsnc.net) To be eligible, the applicant must be the parent/legal guardian (or the student if age 18+), and the family must be continuously domiciled in Durham; proof of residency may be required. (dpsnc.net) Lottery priorities that can matter for Morehead include sibling priority (sibling attending or sibling applying) and Morehead’s “priority zone” (priority is only applied if Morehead is ranked as the first choice); there is also a Montessori pathway “link” for rising 6th graders from Morehead to Lakewood Montessori Middle. (sites.google.com) If seats are full, applicants can be waitlisted; DPS also notes that newcomers applying outside the window may submit a late paper application to the Office of Student Assignment with no priority and be seated only if space becomes available (otherwise they remain on a waitlist). (sites.google.com)