Admissions Process & Application

Applications and auditions for the 2013-2014 school year are largely completed, but applications may still be submitted for consideration in the event that spaces arise in a specific department.  Please click here to complete the online application, but then be sure to follow up by sending in the supporting materials described below.

In addition to entering your application information online, you must submit the following materials to Duke Ellington for your application to be complete:

• A paragraph explaining why you want to study your specific artistic discipline at Ellington. If you are auditioning for two arts areas, be sure to write two paragraphs,
•  A copy of your final report card from the previous year AND your most recent report card from this year,
•  Attendance records from last year and this year if not reflected on your report card,
• A copy of your most recent standardized scores (for instance DC-CAS, VA SOL, MD MSA),
• Two (2) letters of recommendation:
  • One letter from an arts teacher (substitute another adult if no arts teacher)
  • One letter from an academic teacher
•  Two (2) small photos of yourself.

We truly prefer recommendation letters. However, if the person writing your recommendation is more comfortable with a form, please go to our forms page to download a copy of our recommendation form.
Please…

•  Be sure that the applicant’s name is on each item.
•  Be sure to keep your own copy of each item you submit so you have them for your records and can also re-send them if anything were to be lost in the mail.
•  Note that the supplemental materials become part of the applicant’s file and cannot be returned.

Mailed or hand-deliver the items (no faxes or emails, please) to:
Barbara Power
Admissions Director
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
3500 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

2013 auditions will be held in January, and individual audition notices for your specific date and time will be emailed in early January to those who have submitted complete applications. This year we have adjusted  our audition schedule somewhat for certain departments:

• Dance, Literary Media & Communications, Technical Design & Production, Theatre, and Vocal Music will all begin auditions on January 15 & 16 starting at 2 pm.  From these first auditions, students will be selected to continue the audition process in their respective departments during the week of January 28 – February 1.
• Instrumental Music, Museum Studies, and Visual Arts will hold all their auditions the week of January 28 – February 1.

To have the best possible audition, start preparing now.  Review our audition procedures to see the requirements for each department.   Please be sure to read the requirements closely – failure to prepare and provide all materials can adversely affect your audition.

Students who pass their audition will be scheduled for an academic assessment test. The assessment is an important tool for us to understand your report card, and to place you in the proper class sections should you attend Ellington.

The test itself takes approximately 2 1/2 hours, requires no advance preparation, and we will supply all testing materials. NOTE: If you have an IEP or 504 plan, be sure we have a copy in advance so that we can give you the appropriate accommodations.

The family interview is the last step. We’ve become acquainted artistically – this is the chance for us to get to know the whole you better.

Family interviews are held with the applying student and at least one supporting adult, staff from the relevant arts department, the Dean of Students, and the Dean of Academics. Interviews are approximately 20 minutes long. They give us a chance to get to know each other better and to see if Ellington seems to be a mutual fit.

IEP and 504 Plan-Duke Ellington School of the Arts does not discriminate in the admissions process based on an applicant’s disability in conformance with the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.  Admissions candidates who have passed their audition are requested to submit their IEP or 504 Plan prior to testing in order that we may be sure to give an applicant their appropriate testing accommodations.