I have a 9th grader starting at Duke Ellington School for the Arts in August in the instrumental program. We want to go to the beach the week before DCPS starts, but I heard from another parent that the instrumental kids are expected to start rehearsals for a performance the week before school starts. The front office could not confirm this and said to email the instrumental program. Meanwhile I’m worried about losing our beach house if I don’t book soon.

Does anyone out there know if the instrumental kids do indeed need to be available a week early?