Principal’s message
Welcome to TMSA Durham
"We seek knowledge, pursue wisdom, and foster peace in all we do."
— TMSA Motto: Science, Wisdom, Peace
Welcome to TMSA Durham — a new campus, a new chapter, and a community already taking shape with purpose and possibility. As the founding Principal of this campus, I am deeply honored to welcome you to what will become one of Durham's most vibrant learning communities.
TMSA's story began in 2007 with a bold vision — to inspire students through rigorous academics, strong character, and a deep belief in every child's potential. From a single campus in the Triad, that vision has grown into a network of high-performing schools serving thousands of students across North Carolina. TMSA Durham is the proud next step in that journey, and Durham is exactly the kind of community where this mission belongs.
We are opening our doors as a K–7 campus for the 2026–27 school year, with our eyes set on growing into a full K–8 community by 2027–28. But more than a building or a grade span, what we are building here is a culture — one grounded in the TMSA core values of responsibility, respect, resilience, diversity, courage, and industriousness. These are not words on a wall. They are the daily standard we hold ourselves to, together.
At TMSA Durham, we are proud to implement the Leader in Me program — a whole-school approach based on the principles of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Through Leader in Me, we empower every student to discover their unique strengths, take ownership of their learning, and develop the leadership skills they will carry far beyond our classrooms. We believe that every child is a leader — and our role is to help them find that leader within themselves.
To our families: you have trusted us with the most important years of your child's life. The K–7 years are when curiosity awakens, character forms, and children begin to discover what they are truly capable of. Our promise to you is an environment where your child is known, challenged, supported, and celebrated — every single day. The high standards that have made TMSA schools some of the top-performing public schools in North Carolina are not left behind at other campuses. They travel with us, and they are the foundation TMSA Durham is built upon.
To our students: you are not just joining a school — you are helping to write its story. The traditions you build, the friendships you form, and the achievements you earn here will shape TMSA Durham for every student who comes after you. We can't wait to see what you will create.
To our staff: you are the heart of this campus. Building something new is not without its challenges, and it takes exceptional people to rise to that call. Your dedication, your expertise, and your belief in our students will make all the difference. I am committed to supporting you — professionally, personally, and as a community — so that you can give your very best every day.
Great schools are not built in a single year — they are built relationship by relationship, year by year, through the shared commitment of students, families, and educators who believe in something bigger than any one classroom. That is what TMSA has always been. And that is exactly what TMSA Durham will be.
Welcome to our family. We are just getting started.
Okan Celiker
Principal, TMSA Durham