Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Address
2445 San Diego Road Jacksonville , Florida 32207 United States
Coordinates	30°18′01″N 81°38′20″W
Information
Type	Public magnet high school[1]
Motto	"Where arts and academics meet in excellence"
Established	1922
School district	Duval County Public Schools
Principal	Timothy Feagins
Teaching staff	53.00 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Grades	9–12[1]
Enrollment	1,068 (2022–2023)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	20.15[1]
Color(s)	Black and White
Mascot	Puffins and Dragons
Website	dcps.duvalschools.org/anderson

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, United States. The school opened in 1922 during segregation as a primary school for African American students. The school is named after a 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] A historical marker commemorates its history.

Awards

The school was designated a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence[3] and received awards from the United States Department of Education, the International Network of Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.[4]

In December 2009, the school was designated 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.^[citation needed] In 1945, the school name changed to Douglas Anderson School.^[citation needed] 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 Noah Marsh.^[citation needed] During the 1960s, the school closed briefly and reopened in 1968 as a campus for Florida Junior College.^[citation needed] In 1970, the school closed briefly again and reopened in 1971 as the Douglas Anderson Seventh Grade Center.^[citation needed] In 1985, the school opened as Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.^[citation needed]

Notable alumni

• Wes Borland - guitarist
• Daniel Breaker - Broadway and film actor
• Ben Harper - guitarist
• Patrick Heusinger - actor
• William Ryan Key - lead singer of the band Yellowcard
• Billy Merrell - author and poet
• John Otto - drummer
• Longineu W. Parsons III - drummer

References

1. "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for DOUGLAS ANDERSON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS". nces.ed.gov. US Department of Education. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
2. "History / History".
3. "Blue Ribbon Schools Program (Archived Information)" (PDF). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
4. "The Grammy Foundation announces the 2010 Grammy Signature Schools" (PDF) (Press release). The Grammy Foundation/The Recording Academy. March 25, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2010.^[permanent dead link‍]
5. Sanders, Topher (November 14, 2009). "Douglas Anderson graduates come back for school's 50th anniversary". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Retrieved October 31, 2010.