The Detroit School of Arts (DSA), originally known as the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts, is a blue ribbon high school located in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. It is a part of the Detroit Public Schools district. Entrance to Detroit School of Arts is based on an audition that takes place at the end of a student's eighth grade year. Students are required to choose a "major". The Detroit School of Arts is one of four magnet schools in Detroit, where the others are Renaissance High School, Cass Technical High School and Communication & Media Arts High School.
About DSA
Detroit School of Arts is a nationally renowned arts and academic high school that offers a strong college preparatory academic and arts curriculum, with pre-professional study in vocal music, instrumental music, music technology, dance, theater, speech, radio and television production, visual arts and visual communications. In order to provide a stimulus for young people to advance their knowledge in all areas, DSA provides an exigent academic program; DSA has a core academic, advanced placement curriculum. The school’s administration believes that these rigorous course offerings will prepare students for an internationally competitive society. The results of this demanding program are dramatic. Detroit School of Arts’ graduation rate averages 98% annually. All graduating seniors receive financial awards for college.
DSA’s performing groups travel around the world to cities such as Toronto, Ontario; London, England; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Atlanta, GA; Miami FL; and Los Angeles, CA. DSA dance majors have worked professionally with entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, and have been First Place State winners in premier dance competitions and festivals. The Radio, Television & Communications Department produces “Detroit Public Schools’ Radioâ€, which airs on WRCJ (90.9 FM) and Channel 10 and 22 (Comcast Television). Visual Arts student works (which have won National, State, and Local Honors) are exhibited in several local venues, such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Detroit Children’s Museum, and Pewabic Pottery. The DSA Marching Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Sounds of DSA, and Concert Choir all earn superior ratings at festivals and competitions, and perform regularly for the community. The DSA Wind Symphony has performed twice at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York. DSA is the only predominately African-American band to perform in this event. In addition, the DSA band performed in London, England in April 2001.
In 2005, four years after the death of R&B singer Aaliyah who attended and graduated from DSA, the school's recital hall was named The Aaliyah Memorial Recital Hall.
History
Established in 1992 by the now-retired Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton.
During the eight hour school day, students follow a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with an intensive study in the arts. The school received the Kennedy Center Creative Ticket National Arts School of Distinction Award for the 2002-2003 school year. On May 22. 2012 Detroit School of Arts (DSA) become Detroit Public Schools first self-governing school.
Curriculum
The Detroit School of Arts offers only Spanish as a foreign language. The school also has a particular instructional focus on accelerated learning, honors, and college preparation, as well as requirements for physical education.
DSA Offer
Application school located on the grounds of Detroit Symphony, Orchestra, collaboration with Detroit Public Television, Music, Sculpture, 3D Animation, Painting & Drawing, Dance, (Modern, Ballet, African, and Jazz), Drama, Spanish, College counselor, College classes/Dual Enrollment, Honors and AP classes, Tutoring/extended day program, Internship program, Accelerated reading/math, Radio and Television program, Robotics/Science clubs, DAPCEP, Honor society, Media clubs, Book club, Student Government, Arts Competitions, Business partnerships, Church/Civic group mentors.
Awards and recognition
- Newsweek Magazine’s Top Schools in America â€" Bronze Medal Award
- The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Creative Ticket National School of Distinction Award
- Skillman Good Schools Award
- The Grammy Signature Award
Notable graduates
- Celia Keenan-Bolger: Broadway actress, 3-time Tony Award nominee
- Aaliyah (1979â€"2001), R&B singer
- Teairra MarÃ, singer
References
External links
- Official website
- Detroit Public Schools profile
- Schools of the 21st Centuryâ€"discussion of the school building's architecture