Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Public High School | Grade 9-12
3500 R St NW,  Washington, DC
District Of Columbia Public Schools
3.8
3.2
579 Students
B
Niche Grade
Filled with echoes of music and art inspiration, Duke Ellington School of the Arts continues the legacy of the renowned jazz it is named after. Enrolling students through talent-based interviews and auditions, this acclaimed magnet school combines a college-preparatory curriculum with pre-professional arts training for ninth through 12th-grade students. Established in 1974, Ellington operates in partnership with D.C. Public Schools, the Kennedy Center and George Washington University. Once enrolled, pupils can participate in one of eight majors. As an arts-based school, the majors include dance, instrumental music, literary media and communications, museum studies, technical design and production, theatre, visual arts or vocal music. The school receives over 1,000 requests each year for student performers. Students often take the stage at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and the White House. Ellington isn’t solely known for arts education. It also offers a rigorous academic curriculum, with students taking honors courses and Advanced Placement classes. In 2020, the school was rated as one of the top schools in the nation and the third best in the district. Upon graduation, as many students go on to lauded institutions, all leave forever united by the shared sense of community and artistic passion that define an Ellington education.

School Details

Head of School
Rory Pullens
Student Teacher Ratio
81:1
Average SAT Score
1080
Average ACT Score
23
Math Proficiency
8%
Reading Proficiency
61%
Average GPA
3.44
Graduation Rate
95%

Niche Grade

B
Academics
B-
Teachers
B
College Prep
C
Administration
B-
Resources/Facilities
C-
Clubs and Activities
C+
Food
Source: Niche
Niche Grades

Niche grades and rankings are calculated using dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews. Niche data scientists and user researchers rigorously analyze data and user opinions to assess the key aspects of K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Places to Live. Every month, millions of students and families use the Niche grades and report cards to find the right school or neighborhood.

Niche Grade Details

Academics
Average GPA
3.44
Reading Proficiency
61%
Math Proficiency
8%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
81:1
Teachers
7
Full Time Teachers
7
Teachers in First or Second Year
0%
College Prep
Average SAT
1080
Math
520
Verbal
560
Average ACT
23
Math
21
English
24
Reading
24
Science
22
Number of AP Courses
12
AP Pass Rate
24%
AP Math Enrollment
Low
AP Science Enrollment
Low
Other AP Enrollment
Very High
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low

GreatSchools Rating

Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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GreatSchools Rating Details

Test Scores

Math
14.6%
State Average
22.6%
English
60.2%
State Average
32.9%
GreatSchools Test Scores Rating
GreatSchools
The Test Score Rating reflects annual state test results for this school compared with scores statewide.

Teachers and Staff

Students Per Counselor
296:1

Student Diversity

Female
69.3%
Male
29.1%
Black
65.6%
White
14.7%
Hispanic
11.9%
Two or more races
4.8%
Asian or Pacific Islander
1.4%
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School Rankings

#1 Best HS for the Arts in District of Columbia
#5 Best Magnet HS in District of Columbia
Source: Niche

Specialty School Programs

AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered

Colleges Students are Considering

Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
Howard University 242 Students
Temple University 211 Students
New York University 207 Students
Clark Atlanta University 161 Students
Morgan State University 150 Students
North Carolina A&T State University 136 Students
University of Maryland - College Park 126 Students
George Washington University 111 Students
Spelman College 107 Students
Virginia Commonwealth University 103 Students

What Students Want to Study

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Dance 98 Students
Business 92 Students
Music Performance 88 Students
Psychology 81 Students
Drama and Theatre Production 80 Students
Film and Video Studies 78 Students
Acting 64 Students
Fine Arts 53 Students
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management 50 Students
Biology 44 Students

This School’s Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.8 325 Reviews
4.0 Junior
10/30/2024
Duke Ellington is a school full of life and culture. The arts program that Duke offers is one of the best in the country due to the amount of professionals that teach there and their Museum Sudies program which is the only highschool level one in the country.
5.0 Alum
6/17/2024
It was a very supportive school it taught me so much about work and how to balance my home life,academics and the arts. Even though it was hard we were still motivated by or teachers and staff to do better and to use or talent as a voice and cure for whatever we were feeling or going through in our lives. Duke made me a different person... it changed me. 2024 grad From Duke Ellington I wouldn't change a thing I would do it all over again in my next life.
5.0 Senior
2/9/2024
It as been amazing. I have learned a lot about professionalism. Being able to come out of high school and graduate not only with my high school diploma but my artistic degree.
GreatSchools Reviews
3.2 12 Reviews
2.0 parent
1/25/2024
We have called and called this school over several years to ask about a school tour to see application for our teen children ( 2 kids). However, they tell us they're not doing tours, or no answers when we reach our, nor even sending email or newsletter with info. We have received no communication ab...
5.0 student
1/6/2016
If you want your kid to have a good grasp on sciety and what is going on the world now, SEND THEM TO THIS SCHOOL. Duke Ellington's teachers are not only dedicated in making sure their kids get the best education DCPS has to offer but also teaching them to be independent thinkers. This school breeds...
5.0 parent
9/2/2013
Kudos to Ellington! As a parent of two graduates I'm so excited about the latest news: DESA had a 99% senior on-time graduation rate, Those seniors earned over $5 million in scholarships(!), Ellington achieved the highest proficiency level in the DC CAS standardized testing, Reward level - the only...
1.0 student
8/29/2013
The audition process is unorganized and all about who you know at at this school. It's sad because the children with the skills to continue studying are overlooked for the children that live out of state, know someone behind the scenes or look a certain way.

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