Durham Academy

Today, we honor Juneteenth — Freedom Day — and the resilience and strength of enslaved persons awaiting their freedom. On this day in 1865, news was finally received in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved people were freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

While Durham Academy is closed for Freedom Day, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate. Check out a Discover Durham-curated blog post to view local events and celebrations. https://www.discoverdurham.com/blog/celebrate-juneteenth-in-durham/

We want to wish our resident Cavalier, Blade, a happy National Mascot Day! The beloved friend of our Durham Academy family debuted last fall, and we’ve enjoyed every moment with our fierce, spirited and loyal mascot. 🐶

Big congratulations to Matthew Gao ’26 on his commitment to the United States Air Force Academy! His hard work, perseverance and drive are evident — we are so proud to celebrate him and this prestigious achievement. ✈️

Our rising 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students traveled far and wide — not just in distance, but in experiences and personal challenges too — as part of this year's Cavalier Capstones. Groups visited Kenya, Poland and Argentina to be immersed in international cultures; adventured in canoeing, hiking and scuba diving; and, closer to home, examined history, sports, law and film.

Durham Academy Athletics is excited to announce Ryne Linsley as our Head Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach!

“From the moment we met Ryne, our search committee was blown away by his attention to detail, his passion for developing student-athletes and his commitment to culture building,” said Andy Pogach, Director of Athletics. “It is impressive how fast Ryne built Rabun Gap’s program into a state power. We are thrilled that he will be taking over our program.”

We are excited to have him leading our program and look forward to welcoming Coach Linsley and his family to Durham Academy! 🥍

Find more about Durham Academy’s New Lacrosse Coach here: https://www.da.org/about/newsroom/news-post/~board/news/post/durham-academy-ryne-linsley

❤️🧡💛💚 Happy Pride Month! 💙💜🤎🖤

We are sending so much love to our LGBTQ+ community during a month all about joy, acceptance and being our authentic selves.

If you're looking to celebrate, check out the link below for a list of local events curated by Raleigh Magazine.

https://raleighmag.com/2026/06/01/pride-guide/

The Class of 2026 wasn’t the only one walking the stage — the Classes of 2038, 2034 and 2030 were celebrated at their closing exercises. The kindergarten class kicked off the festivities with smiles and singing, fourth graders shared important memories from their time at the Lower School and eighth graders rushed the auditorium seats to deliver letters of thanks to their families. It’s bittersweet to see students moving on to new divisions, but special for all the new opportunities ahead of them.

Find links to photo galleries from closing exercises in your weekly News & Notes email.

Happy summer, Cavalier Family. 🔥🐶⚔️

Yeah, they did that 🔥🐶⚔️

It’s been two weeks since commencement, but we’ve missed the Class of 2026 every day since. 💚

If you’re looking for photos of all the fun (the behind-the-scenes moments, the celebrations) then look no further than our SmugMug page, where you’ll find a whole folder dedicated to the Class of 2026. Wondering how to get there? Check your weekly News & Notes email, or DM us if you are a student, alum or DA family.

The Class of 2026 has officially walked the stage. Read more about Durham Academy’s newest alumni at https://www.da.org/school-divisions/upper-school/graduation/classof2026

Our newest graduates reveal their DA life-changers, treasured memories, favorite places on campus and priceless advice for future generations of Cavaliers.

“Focus on what makes you happy,” says Shea Thornburg ’26, “and you’ll end up exactly where you need to be.”

Eid al-Adha Mubarak! While Eid al-Adha officially began on Wednesday, the festivities will continue until Saturday, May 30 (the days of Tashreeq). Eid al-Adha is a day of prayer and sacrifice. We hope all who celebrate had a happy Eid and enjoy the celebrations over the next few days.