Welcome to the Durham School of the Arts

Magnet School! 

We are quite a unique school, as we offer both a stellar arts curriculum and rigorous academics.  We believe that the arts represent a symbolic, universal form of communication and are therefore, fundamental to a quality education.

Here are a few other important things to know about our school beliefs:

We believe-

• Students use various intelligences that must be recognized and nurtured in developmentally appropriate ways 
• A safe and secure school climate is an essential precondition for learning
• An atmosphere that fosters independence and exploration is essential for the development of creative thinking
• An environment of encouragement and support to express differing points of view, and the subsequent critical examination of their significance, promote dialogue, respect, and understanding

On behalf of the entire faculty of DSA, we welcome all of our parents and students to our school community.  We look forward to having a wonderful school year!

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Welcome From the Principal, David L. Hawks

Greetings,

Welcome to the Durham School of the Arts website.  The Durham School of the Arts (DSA) is founded on the premise of providing our students with an education focused on excellence in the arts and rigorous academics.  We believe that since our students are both participants and consumers of the arts, they will be better educated and more informed citizens.  As a result, we expect our students to be the leaders and intellectuals of tomorrow.  

Our school is a unique entity because all of our 1,400 students in grades six through twelve have in some form or fashion applied to attend DSA.  Every year over 1,200 fifth graders vie for the 200 open sixth grade slots.  Other students from within the Durham Public Schools apply for any openings in grades seven through twelve that result from parent job transfers or attrition.  As one can see, it is quite competitive to gain entrance to our school.  Since both students and staff have elected to be at DSA, we feel it is both an honor and privilege for all of us to be a part of this learning community.  Together, we can continue to make DSA the most successful school in our district both academically and artistically.

Recently, Newsweek Magazine rated Durham School of the Arts again as one of the top high schools in the United States.  We strive to furnish our students with rewarding experiences through rigorous academics combined with an immersion in the arts so as to provide each student with the best possible education according to his or her individual needs and abilities.  Here at DSA, our students have a number of venues in which they may foster and develop their potential.  We offer numerous performing and fine arts opportunities, academic clubs and activities, and athletic teams that offer interscholastic competition.  

Our campus is expansive and covers three city blocks. Currently, there are eight classroom buildings.  Our newest facility is a new modern classroom building which opened in February 2008 which will added sixteen state of the art classrooms.  Currently, we are undergoing a renovation to the historic turn of the century Carr School Building and once it is finished, it will also be a state of the art facility. 

We feel communication is critical to the life of a school.  For this reason we hope that the new DSA website will be easy to use and informative for all.  Thank you for visiting us here at Durham School of the Arts and please feel free to contact me at 919-560-3926 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Again, welcome to Durham School of the Arts; we look forward to an exciting, enriching and successful 2009-2010 school year.

Sincerely,

David L. Hawks