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Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Dasota logo.jpg
Address
2445 San Diego Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
United States
Coordinates 30°18′01″N 81°38′20″W / 30.300271°N 81.638757°W / 30.300271; -81.638757Coordinates: 30°18′01″N 81°38′20″W / 30.300271°N 81.638757°W / 30.300271; -81.638757
Information
Type Public arts high school
Motto "Where arts and academics meet in excellence"
Established 1922
Principal Melanie Hammer
Grades 9—12
Enrollment 1170 (October 2010)
Color(s) Black and White         
Website

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. Over the years, the school has accomplished many achievements including becoming a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence 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.

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.

Opening 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 morphed into a high school with the mascot of "Fiery Dragons" and in 1959, the school saw its first graduating class in 1959 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 becoming the only school in the county offering arts education. During its tenure, the school has produced award-winning performances in theatre, dance and music. Many students from the school were featured in major films including Brenda Starr, Sunshine State and as well as the short-lived television series Safr Harbor.


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