Duke Ellington School of the Arts

I came to this school hoping for a good arts and academic education. The arts education was good aside from teachers who don't grade based on valid evidence. The academics were so horrible I am most definitely transferring as well as possibly moving to Virginia. The academic level was the same in history as I got in third grade. Biology was so remedial I was moved into AP Biology as a freshman, a course typically only taken by juniors or seniors. They try to make it seem as though they put work into the academic portion of the school, but it's all a big joke. This school was the most remedial and utterly ridiculous thing, it's a joke to even call it school.
--Submitted by a student

There is no shortage of talented kids at Ellington, but the school does not require nor hold the kids to high standards. The kids should shine on stage as well as off - sadly that is not the case. When the performances are over and the lights are off, the schools interest in making these kids better, more disciplined, sort of fizzles. Since it is a performing arts school, academics are not given the highest priority which, in my opinion, will leave the kids unprepared for life after high school. This is a school of less than 500 students -- I see a great opportunity to make these kids strive to be better and brighter and hold them to the highest of standards (like the Seed School) whether its with academics or their art or with their friends or teachers or other adults. Unfortunately, when the curtain goes down, so to does the expectations for these kids. The lack of discipline and structure and focus is very disappointing. I expected much more from this school...
--Submitted by a parent

Duke Ellington School of the Arts is full of many talented, lively students. I am a student myself and I love the people like a family. However, Ellington ceases to provide me with a good education. I would say that my arts classes are good and the education I have received in math and english is so-so but the level of teaching in the rest of my classes (biology, french, history) is positively unacceptable. Along with that, the school is terribly disorganized. I will most likely be transferring in the near future.
--Submitted by a student

I'm a parent of a recent graduate and a current senior, and I'm a fan of DESA. The artistic education is extraordinary, all the staff care about the kids, and the school has a wonderfully warm and accepting environment. Two years ago I might have given the school 4 stars rather than 5 because of some academic weaknesses, but those have been largely addressed, and things are looking great. Ellington has strong teachers, and the principal is an extremely dynamic individual who keeps pushing the school to the next level, all with a positive attitude. DESA is a rare gem!
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent of the Ellington School of the Arts, I have to say that this institution is really a competitive one. I absolutely love it and it is evident that the students love it as well. The principal is dynamite!!!What makes him dynamite is the fact that he shows unconditional love for his students and staff and I don't have to mention the parents. He is a fair individual who really supports his school. Whatever or wherever his students are performing, you can be sure to see him there cheering them on. The principal constantly stress the importance of academics to his students and reminding them that while have great talent is 'great', having an incredible education is even greater.
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumna, I can say I graduated as a well rounded visual artist. My talents were nourished by my instructors from the 1st day of 9th grade all the way to the last day of 12th. The teachers at Duke Ellington take their jobs seriously and appreciate students who take what they do seriously also. I received tremendous help in applying to colleges from teahcers both artistic and academic and was accepted and now attend my first choice university in NYC. Other classmates from my grad class now attend Berklee School of Music, Rutgers, Juilliard, Harvard, George Mason amoung others. The student body of Ellington is more like a family and everyday at school was different and full of fun things to do while learning.
--Submitted by a former student

I am a parent of an Ellington student. I am very proud of the overall accomplishments of the school. If D.C. decides to close Ellington as planned; it will be the worse mistake they have ever made. An Ellington student is a different breed of student; only the Ellington staff who are artists themselves understand fully how the students learn.
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumnus of Ellington, an alumnus of the nation's only University of the Arts, having had a successful career in the arts and now a certified teacher at a high school for the arts I have a great appreciation of how valuable my training at Ellington was. I thank God everyday for a special place like Ellington which gave me the possibility to make my sucess and dreams eminent. Ellington also was the ground breaking conversation when I met my wife as she is an Ellington graduate also and she is a teacher at a middle school for the arts. We both agree that this school truly prepared us for a career in the arts as well that the key at Ellington was the discipline which has always sustained us. It is our hope that we may inspire up and coming artists the way Ellington did for us.
--Submitted by Arthur Taylor, a former student

i am not a parent i was a student at ellington. the school is great for those who are looking to make the arts an occupation. The school has great teachers in all the 7 arts departments. Academic teachers are all great also. They try to help the students prepare for college life.
--Submitted by a former student

Both my sons are graduates and both got into their first choice colleges (Rutgers & Vassar). The atmosphere at the school is vibrant. Everyone there wants to be there. Talent is respected. It's not perfect, but it's a great place.
--Submitted by Carol Nissenson, a parent