KHS General Information

What is a charter school?
Kestrel Heights is a public school (so there are NO tuition or enrollment fees) formed under a charter granted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. A charter school may not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, or national origin.

How are students admitted to KHS?
A simple application form is available from the school. Applications are accepted from January until March for the following academic year. The application then becomes part of a lottery process. At the lottery, which is usually held in late March, names of applicants are drawn at random and assigned a lottery number. Families are then notified of their student's lottery number and the expected number of seats available.

Is there a dress code or uniforms? (pdf)
KHS believes that a uniform dress code is an important part of a safe, orderly school environment where the focus is on student s learning how to become respectful, responsible young citizens. The policy allows for some student choice, yet establishes parameters for acceptable dress. Students at KHS should be in “uniform” from the time they arrive at school until they leave campus for the day. Following is a description of appropriate dress for students:

• Khaki, black, or navy blue pants/shorts for boys; khaki, black, or navy blue pants/shorts/skirts/skorts/jumpers for girls. The length must be longer than a student's fingertips when the student is standing with hands by his/her side. Sagging pants (pants must be pulled up to the waist) and tight pants (pants must fit comfortably) are not allowed. If pants sag then some type of belt or elastic is required. For each individual student, faculty/staff will determine if pants are sagging excessively or are too tight.
• For pants the following material is NOT allowed: jean material, sweat pant material, “shiny” nylon material. Pant material must be the “khaki” material.
• Shirts will be pullover, 2-4 button only with color Polo (no camisoles), long/short sleeve in solid white, black, primary red (not pink or burgundy for example) and navy blue. Crew Neck sweatshirts (same colors) are also permitted. Logos and wording on the outside of clothing are not allowed.
• Button down shirts are NOT within dress code.
• Shirttails must be tucked in during the regular day. Consequences for failure to tuck in shirts will be left up to the Dean of Students when they receive the write up.
• Shoes (with laces tied) should be comfortable and have non-skid rubber soles. We recommend that students wear tennis or other “sport” shoes that are in good repair. Shoes must be worn at all times.
• Jackets and hooded sweatshirts are not to be worn in the classroom.
• Other: Headgear and sunglasses (unless prescribed by a physician) are not allowed during the school hours. Pierced ornamental jewelry is allowed but can be banned on an individual basis if it becomes a distraction. Necklaces may be worn, but must be tucked under the student's shirt. Clothing required by the tenets of a student's religious tradition, such as headscarves or yarmulkes, are allowed. Bracelets that cause any distraction will be asked to be removed.
• Every Friday, students will be allowed to wear any unaltered KHS shirt (no missing sleeves, no writing on shirts). No “homemade” KHS shirts are allowed. KHS logo sweatpants will be allowed this day.
• No electronic belt buckles are allowed. Other belt buckles that cause a distraction will not be allowed. This includes but not limited to: skulls, crowns, or other distracting items.
• Each month, there will be one Friday that is designated as a “Dress Down Day,” which will be the 1 st Friday of the month. Students are allowed to wear clothes that are “appropriate” for school. Clothes not allowed include shirts or blouses without sleeves or that exposes cleavage or the abdominal area; skirts or shorts with lengths that do not touch a student's fingertips when the student is standing with hands by his/her side; and clothing with vulgar or alcohol-, drug or tobacco-related language. The other category described in the preceding paragraph should also be followed. Students with questions about appropriate clothing should check with one of their teachers, not other students.
• Shirts worn under the dress code shirt must also be in one of the 4 colors (primary red, black, white, navy blue and they cannot have any writing or emblems on them. If a student wears an undershirt that does not meet these conditions then they will be asked to remove the undershirt. If a student continues wearing these undershirts then they will be referred to the Dean of Students.
• Any student not in dress code will have to comply or parents will be called to bring proper dress attire or the student will be sent home.

Is transportation to and from school available?
Parents are responsible for transporting their child(ren) to and from school. KHS does not  provide transportation to or from school.

Is a daily lunch available at the school?
Students and faculty bring their lunch to school or may purchase meals from The Fast Italian.

Does KHS have the same schedule as the rest of the Durham Public School system?
The KHS calendar is similar to that of the Durham Public School system, but not identical. Some conference days, faculty planning days, and holidays throughout the year match DPS, but not all. You may request a copy of this year's KHS calendar to compare with DPS. When severe weather affects schools, KHS follows the Durham Public School system for delays and openings.

What extracurricular activities are available?
The list is expanding all the time! At this time, there are sports teams for girls' soccer, track and field, basketball, and volleyball; and boys' soccer,  football, tennis, basketball, and track and field. We also offer a cheerleading squad and a dance team. Sports are open to all students, including 6th- grade students and students new to the sport. We offer other extracurricular activities, such as band and drama, as available with help from faculty, parents, or community members. The YMCA also has an afterschool program that includes homework tutoring, wellness, and life skills. The YMCA can be contacted about this program at 919-493-4502.

Does Kestrel have discipline policies in place?
Yes. The ultimate goal of our discipline policies is to create a safe and respectful environment where teachers can teach and students can learn. At the beginning of each school year, these policies are explained to students and parents alike during orientation meetings--please refer to the Code of Conduct for an overview.