Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

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. The school opened in 1922 as a primary school specifically for African American students. The school is named after 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] Over the years, the school has accomplished many achievements including becoming a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence[3] and receiving numerous awards from the United States Department of Education, International Network of Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.[4] Notably, the school lacks any athletic programs.

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Address
2445 San Diego Road

Jacksonville
,
Florida
32207

United States
Coordinates30°18′01″N 81°38′20″W
Information
TypePublic magnet high school[1]
Motto"Where arts and academics meet in excellence"
Established1922
School districtDuval County Public Schools
PrincipalMelanie Hammer
Teaching staff62.00 (on a FTE basis)[1]
Grades9—12[1]
Enrollment1,192 (2018-2019)[1]
Student to teacher ratio19.23[1]
Color(s)Black and White   
Websitedcps.duvalschools.org/anderson

In December 2009, the school became 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

Opened 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. In 1945, the school name changed to Douglas Anderson School. 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 Benjamin E. Mays. During the 1960s, the school closed briefly and reopened in 1968 as a campus for Florida Junior College. In 1970, the school closed briefly again and reopened in 1971 as the Douglas Anderson Seventh Grade Center. In 1985, the school opened as Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for DOUGLAS ANDERSON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS". nces.ed.gov. US Department of Education. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  2. http://dcps.duvalschools.org/domain/2500
  3. "Blue Ribbon Schools Program (Archived Information)" (PDF). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  4. "The Grammy Foundation announces the 2010 Grammy Signature Schools" (PDF) (Press release). The Grammy Foundation/The Recording Academy. 2010-03-25. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  5. Sanders, Topher (2009-11-14). "Douglas Anderson graduates come back for school's 50th anniversary". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
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