Durham Early College of Health Sciences opens for 2025 school year

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham Early College of Health Sciences (DECHS), one of Durham Public Schools' four Cooperative Innovative High Schools (formerly known as DPS specialty schools), is kicking off the 2025-2026 school year on Thursday.

Students will earn health care credentials or associate degrees that will enable them to graduate directly into the workforce, including job opportunities at Duke Health. The inaugural year will have 104 students from across Durham County.

The early college is a collaboration between Durham Public Schools (DPS), Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) and Duke Health.

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Thanks to a $29.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, DECHS is part of their first-of-its-kind, national initiative to create healthcare-focused high schools in 10 communities across the country.

Note: Video playing is from a previous ABC11 story on DECHS