Focus Excelsior means “higher” in Latin, reflecting the school’s mission to help students reach their full potential through a rigorous, inclusive education grounded in responsibility, integrity, diligence, excellence and educational equity. Kindergarten through eighth grade combines a classical liberal arts curriculum with research-backed instruction, following the Core Knowledge Sequence and Singapore Math to build deep content literacy, problem-solving skills and a lifelong foundation for learning and citizenship. Qualified middle schoolers can earn high school credits early. The upper school curriculum (grades 9-12) transitions into advanced intellectual development and college preparation through classical pillars that includes required coursework in logic, rhetoric and a culminating senior thesis, alongside North Carolina-standard math benchmarks and robust Honors and Advanced Placement pathways. Through partnerships with NC School of Science and Math and Durham Tech, students can take synchronous remote classes taught by NCSSM instructors and earn dual high school and college credits. Students can potentially earn an associate degree in arts or science in teacher preparation, fine arts, engineering, business, marketing or nursing by graduation. Offers a dedicated bus service; lunch and uniform financial assistance for qualifying families; structured before- and after-school programs. 

Grades K-12 

Total Enrollment 1,100

Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1 

Special Requirements Open application & enrollment. If applications exceed available spots, state-required random lottery determines admission. Enrollment runs mid-Dec. to mid-to-late Feb., with a lottery in late Feb. or early March.