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Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, commonly known as DA or DASOTA, is a magnet high school in the San Marco neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida, United States. The school opened in 1922 during segregation as a primary school for African American students. The school is named after a local civil rights activist, Douglas Anderson. In 1985, the school was renovated into a magnet high school specializing in performing, visual and language arts.[2] A historical marker commemorates its history.
| Douglas Anderson School of the Arts | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
2445 San Diego Road , 32207 United States | |
| Coordinates | 30°18′01″N 81°38′20″W / 30.300271°N 81.638757°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public magnet high school[1] |
| Motto | "Where arts and academics meet in excellence" |
| Established | 1922 |
| School district | Duval County Public Schools |
| Principal | Timothy Feagins |
| Teaching staff | 53.00 (on an FTE basis)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12[1] |
| Enrollment | 1,068 (2022–2023)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 20.15[1] |
| Color(s) | Black and White |
| Mascot | Puffins and Dragons |
| Website | dcps |
Awards
editThe school was designated a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence[3] and received awards from the United States Department of Education, the International Network of Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.[4]
In December 2009, the school was designated a Florida Heritage Landmark by the Bureau of Historical Preservation. The ceremony was attended by students and school officials, Anderson's family, and the first graduates of the school from 1959.[5]
History
editOpened in 1922 as The South Jacksonville Grammar School for grades 1—9, the school was primarily attended by African American students; the only school in the region during that time.[citation needed] In 1945, the school name changed to Douglas Anderson School.[citation needed] During the 1950s, the school became a high school with the mascot of "Fiery Dragons" and in 1959, the school saw its first graduating class with a commencement speech given by Noah Marsh.[citation needed] During the 1960s, the school closed briefly and reopened in 1968 as a campus for Florida Junior College.[citation needed] In 1970, the school closed briefly again and reopened in 1971 as the Douglas Anderson Seventh Grade Center.[citation needed] In 1985, the school opened as Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.[citation needed]
Notable alumni
editThis article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (December 2020) |
- Wes Borland - guitarist
- Daniel Breaker - Broadway and film actor
- Ben Harper - guitarist
- Patrick Heusinger - actor
- William Ryan Key - lead singer of the band Yellowcard
- Billy Merrell - author and poet
- John Otto - drummer
- Longineu W. Parsons III - drummer
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for DOUGLAS ANDERSON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS". nces.ed.gov. US Department of Education. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ "History / History".
- ^ "Blue Ribbon Schools Program (Archived Information)" (PDF). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
- ^ "The Grammy Foundation announces the 2010 Grammy Signature Schools" (PDF) (Press release). The Grammy Foundation/The Recording Academy. March 25, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Sanders, Topher (November 14, 2009). "Douglas Anderson graduates come back for school's 50th anniversary". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Retrieved October 31, 2010.