Anonymous wrote:My white sister was accepted to Ellington in the 80s. That being said, I find it strange that any school should be describe serving a certain race as ita vision. I can understand serving an interest ( the arts, tech), or a type of learner (struggling, gifted) - but race? That language kind of makes me sick to my stomach. I dont like the idea of academies just for AA boys either.

It's a DC thang. You wouldn't understand.

doesn't matter what the mission says....still should not be spending that level of money on a school with so few students.

The mission of Duke Ellington School of the Arts:

To nurture and inspire passion for arts and learning in talented students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to develop their artistic skills. We ensure that our students are prepared for post-secondary education and/or careers in the arts by offering an intensive arts-based program. We prepare our students to become productive citizens in our global society through our strong focus on community service.

From http://www.ellingtonschool.org/about/history-mission/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The mission of the school, in its founding documents, is to serve students of color who have talent in the arts; white kids can attend if they have talent in order to supplement the arts purpose.

Proof of this please. I've been searching online and ha e not found any support for this claim.

I can't find it either. Is this just another accusation made up on DCUM and other people ran with the story without any proof. Reminds you of the cable network news.

Anonymous wrote:The mission of the school, in its founding documents, is to serve students of color who have talent in the arts; white kids can attend if they have talent in order to supplement the arts purpose.

Proof of this please. I've been searching online and ha e not found any support for this claim.

My white sister was accepted to Ellington in the 80s. That being said, I find it strange that any school should be describe serving a certain race as ita vision. I can understand serving an interest ( the arts, tech), or a type of learner (struggling, gifted) - but race? That language kind of makes me sick to my stomach. I dont like the idea of academies just for AA boys either.

Anonymous wrote:But the demographics of the city are changing, so it makes sense that the demographics of the school might also start changing. I would hope that Ellington and Banneker would be welcoming to all students even if that means adapting their traditional role.

They have always welcomed all students ie white students. It's those parents who don't want them to attend either school

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's sickening that we're spending so much on Ellington when so many other schools are in need.

We should do our bread and butter before creating this palace for the arts.

Also, Ellington should increase the tuition from out-of-state students to cover their portion of the renovation (and actually collect it!). Why should we pay for them?

I think a performing high school is important. But I agree, I don't see why DC shouod then be subsidizing PG kids to go there.

I know a lot of Duke E students none are from PG. PG non performance art schools top anything Ellington teaches/provides no need for students to cross the river

Shouldn't the wash post do a story on this and encourage a real investigation?

Anonymous wrote:Seems like the Wilson PTA should argue point blank they need the money morethan Ellington.

Good luck with that...

And founding documents can be changed. It isn't as though Ellington is being privately funded or taxpayers would not be paying 178m for 500 kids.

Exactly...b/c DC is creating so many famous artists in any sector of the arts. Wasteful.

Anonymous wrote:Seems like the Wilson PTA should argue point blank they need the money morethan Ellington.

Agreed.

Seems like the Wilson PTA should argue point blank they need the money morethan Ellington.

So come on lawyers! Somebody file suit to force the mayor to rethink how our finite capital improvement dollars are spent. Spending it all on one school project that serves so few district residents smacks of inequity to a level that feels criminal.