Kid at DESA now. Academically it's a mixed bag. Some teachers are fantastic (like the AP World History teacher who prepared them really well for the exam last year), some are not. But that's the case everywhere in DCPS. My older kid went to Walls and it was a similar mixed bag. DESA has a smaller selection of APs and generally fewer choices of classes. On the other hand the arts program is excellent.
If your kid is willing to put in the effort into the academics they will be fine. They will also learn discipline and time management. And will be surrounded by a lot of very talented peers.

Another frequent DCUM reader here who appreciates the posts about Duke Ellington. My kid is coming up on a decision in a year and I am PETRIFIED they will want to include Duke on their list.

Crazy thought: If you don't want to read about the school DON'T CLICK ON THE THREAD!

A few things:
1. Four years of specialized education shows a college you are passionate and can handle an arts degree as well as an academic track. That is always impressive whether you go into the arts or not. Maybe 60% of DE grads don't pursue the arts.
2. You did not mention which art. "Starving Artist" does not have to be thing in 2024. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, podcasts - the world offers so many new ways to create your own opportunities. Talent without hustle is what gets you the starving artist, but that's any field really.
3. DE spends a lot of time during auditions talking about passion. "Burnout" is why, except that burnout usually means lack of passion. You have to love the work.
4. There are so many opportunities in the arts that don't require one to be the "star". There are some real celebrity success stories at Duke, but the vast majority of folk become producers, directors, makeup artists, costumers, production people, lighting people. Not famous, but thriving and hugely successful. Starving artist is a mindset

I also appreciate the discussion.

I know one 40something visual arts grad who is an administrative assistant. A friend of a friend's daughter did not get into any professional dance companies and is at a bit of loose ends.

The star of a play I just saw at Round House Theater is an acting alum about 14 years ago... she was discouraged by a faculty member, didn't go to acting conservatory, but has made a career in local theater nonetheless.

My neighbor's two kids graduated from Duke Ellington. One goes to Fordham and has decided not to pursue an arts career. The other goes to Carnegie Mellon for theater tech. Seems like they both were well prepared and had a lot of good college options.

Anonymous wrote:This is the 3 or 4th thread recently on Duke Ellington. Please stop posting new treads about Duke Ellington. It's getting really, really old now OP.

Ignore them. There is so little discussion on DESA that these are appreciated by some like myself.

This is the 3 or 4th thread recently on Duke Ellington. Please stop posting new treads about Duke Ellington. It's getting really, really old now OP.

The academic offerings are not the same as JR. If taking a bunch of AP courses is important to her, or if she wants to be prepared to take math classes at a very selective university, DESA is probably not the best place. BUT if she isn't really a STEM person and is already a strong writer (or she's willing to get outside tutoring in writing and you're willing to pay for it) she could have a great high school experience at Ellington and there are many colleges who'd be happy to have her. You might want to pony up for test prep to get her SAT or ACT as high as possible. Once in college, if she does well with her GPA and LSAT, she'll be fine for law school too.

Anonymous wrote:A few things:
1. Four years of specialized education shows a college you are passionate and can handle an arts degree as well as an academic track. That is always impressive whether you go into the arts or not. Maybe 60% of DE grads don't pursue the arts.
2. You did not mention which art. "Starving Artist" is not a real thing in 2024. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, podcasts - the world offers so many new ways to create your own opportunity. Talent without hustle is what gets you the starving artist, but that's any field really.
3. DE spends a lot of time during auditions talking about passion. "Burnout" is why, except that burnout usually means lack of passion. You have to love the work.
4. There are so many opportunities in the arts that don't require one to be the "star". There are some real celebrity success stories at Duke, but the vast majority of folk become producers, directors, makeup artists, costumers, production people, lighting people. Not famous, but thriving and hugely successful. Starving artist is a mindset

OP here. thank you. I appreciate this take on it!

A few things:
1. Four years of specialized education shows a college you are passionate and can handle an arts degree as well as an academic track. That is always impressive whether you go into the arts or not. Maybe 60% of DE grads don't pursue the arts.
2. You did not mention which art. "Starving Artist" is not a real thing in 2024. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, podcasts - the world offers so many new ways to create your own opportunity. Talent without hustle is what gets you the starving artist, but that's any field really.
3. DE spends a lot of time during auditions talking about passion. "Burnout" is why, except that burnout usually means lack of passion. You have to love the work.
4. There are so many opportunities in the arts that don't require one to be the "star". There are some real celebrity success stories at Duke, but the vast majority of folk become producers, directors, makeup artists, costumers, production people, lighting people. Not famous, but thriving and hugely successful. Starving artist is a mindset

Anonymous wrote:I was the first to go to college in my family too, so I know how you feel. My little sister graduated from Ellington about ten years ago. Too much time has passed for me to say if their academics are on par with JR nowadays, but she continued her music studies at a tier 1 school in New England. She received some aid, but my parents still ended up taking out around 120k in loans.

Unfortunately, she burned out around junior year of college. She still graduated with honors, but she lost all interest in playing. She briefly tried her hand as a music teacher before switching to early childhood education.

OP here. Thanks for this. The burn-out is also some of my concern. I imagine that could even happen in the 4 years at Ellington.

I was the first to go to college in my family too, so I know how you feel. My little sister graduated from Ellington about ten years ago. Too much time has passed for me to say if their academics are on par with JR nowadays, but she continued her music studies at a tier 1 school in New England. She received some aid, but my parents still ended up taking out around 120k in loans.

Unfortunately, she burned out around junior year of college. She still graduated with honors, but she lost all interest in playing. She briefly tried her hand as a music teacher before switching to early childhood education.

My kid's dream is to go to Duke Ellington. I've been digging around a bit, but I would love to hear from people who have had kids there. My kid lives and breathes her guitars and piano, but also talks about how she wants to be a lawyer. I don't care if she winds up a lawyer or not, but the thought of her becoming a 'struggling artist' and working days at a coffee shop while scrounging for evening gigs in bars just gives me the shivers. (For reference, my sisters and I are the first in our family to have college education. I don't want my kid to struggle the way others in my family have done for generations.)

Is the education at Ellington up to par with, say, JR in terms of math, science, and language arts?

Where do kids wind up after 4 years of specialized arts education?