Admissions Process and Application

Ellington auditions current 8th and 9th graders.  Non-residents may apply, but if you attend as a non-resident you must pay tuition to DCPS (note there are no scholarships and no financial aid). 

Ready to Apply?  Let's get Started!

* Update 1/22/12: 

Audition schedule notices have all been emailed to the 'primary contact email' address entered on the application.  If you submitted an application and supporting materials and have not seen your notice, please first check your spam folder.  If you do not have your notice, please email Ms. Power at bpower@ellingtonarts.org - be sure to include the applicant's name and current school.

Auditions are scheduled to be held the week of January 30 - February 3. Best wishes to all who are auditioning!!!

Applying to Ellington is as easy as 1-2-3-4: Online Application, Audition, Academic Assessment Test, and Family Interview...

1.  Online application: The first step is to complete the Ellington Online Application, OR once it is available, complete the DCPS High School Online Application for specialty schools.  (You may submit either the Ellington or DCPS application to apply to Ellington - if you complete one, there is no need to do the other.)  For information on the DCPS Online High School Application, please see the DCPS High School Online Application website.

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 art at Ellington.  If you are auditioning for two arts areas, be sure to write two paragraphs,
• A copy of your final report card from last year,
• Attendance records from last year if not reflected on your report card,
• A copy of your most recent standardized scores (e.g. 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. 

Please note we truly prefer recommendation letters.  But if the person writing your recommendation is more comfortable with a form, please go to our forms page for a copy of our recommendation form.  From there you can also download our application checklist, to make sure you have everything.

Submit all materials no later than the December 15 deadline in order to be assured an audition slot. Be sure that the applicant’s name is on each item. Note that the supplemental materials become part of the applicant’s file and cannot be returned. 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. The items above may be mailed or hand-delivered (no faxes or emails, please) to:

Barbara Power

Admissions Director

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

3500 R Street NW

Washington, DC 20007

2.  Audition

2012 auditions will be held in late January/early February, and individual audition notices for your specific date and time will be emailed in early January to those who have submitted complete applicatons.

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.

3. Take an academic assessment test

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.  If you have an IEP or 504 plan, be sure we have a copy in advance so that we give you the appropriate accomodations!

4. Participate in a family interview

The family interview is the last step of our process.  We’ve already met you 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. 

Have questions?  Email Barbara Power at bpower@ellingtonarts.org or call 202-298-1777, ext, 1774.