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DESA is the only public high school in DC that offers a dual curriculum of college-preparatory academics and pre-professional arts training in nine disciplines. Learn about its history, programs, events, and how to apply.
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Duke Ellington School of the Arts is the sole D.C. public...
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Learn about the history, vision, and achievements of DESA, a public high school in DC that offers a dual curriculum of college-preparatory academics and pre-professional arts training. DESA is accredited, nationally recognized, and committed to equity and excellence for talented students.
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts (established 1974) is a high school located at 35th Street and R Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., and dedicated to arts education. One of the high schools of the District of Columbia Public School system, it is named for the American jazz bandleader and composer Duke Ellington, a native of ...
Supporting LGBTQ+ Students. Making spaces inclusive of transgender & gender nonconforming people Read more.
Starting young, learning in a disciplined yet improvisational manner, flourishing in a tough world, developing a lifelong network of fruitful relationships—all these accomplishments are represented in the life of the composer, bandleader, and Washington, D.C. native, Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington.
Ranked as one of DC Public Schools’ highest performing high schools, Ellington encourages its students to take advance placement course load that includes Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, US History, World History, Language and Literature and World Language, as well as Honors academic courses.
Duke Ellington School of the Arts is the sole D.C. public high school to offer a dual curriculum encompassing professional arts training and academic enrichment. DESA nurtures a passion for arts in talented students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to develop their artistic skills.
