Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Duke Ellington School of the Arts is a public arts high school in a neoclassical building in Georgetown that combines artistic and academic training. It offers specialized instruction in dance, music, theater, visual arts, museum studies, and film for talented teenagers from across the capital region.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz and Mike Malone founded the school in 1974 from an earlier program for careers in the arts. After extensive renovation work, the building reopened in 2017 with modern facilities for all arts disciplines.

The name honors jazz musician Duke Ellington, who began his career in Washington and shaped the city with his work. Young performers give regular concerts and shows that welcome families and neighbors from across the area.

Interested teenagers go through an application process with artistic auditions and academic tests. A family interview is also part of the selection process, which assesses suitability and commitment to both areas.

The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and combines historical architecture with contemporary facilities for arts instruction. The renovation cost more than other school projects in the city and created spaces for digital media alongside traditional studio areas.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1974

Founders: Peggy Cooper Cafritz, Mike Malone

Architectural style: neoclassicism

Operator: District of Columbia Public Schools

Website: http://ellingtonschool.org

GPS coordinates: 38.91306,-77.07056

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:51