How do I arrange for an audition/portfolio review?
Submit an application form no later than December 18 and submit your supporting materials in order to be scheduled for an audition.  The application can be accessed from our Admissions Process page – click here to learn the details of the admission process and fill out the application.  Once your application has been processed, we will contact you to arrange an audition. 

What do I bring to the audition / portfolio review?
Click here to see what to bring to any Ellington audition, and to  check the specific requirements for each art discipline of interest.

May I apply even if I don’t live in the District of Columbia?
Yes. If you are accepted and decide to attend, there is a tuition requirement for non-residents. Resident denotes that the parent or the court-appointed guardian with whom the student resides is a District resident. Non-residents must present evidence of having satisfied tuition requirements prior to enrollment. The SY 2008-2009 tuition rate for non-District of Columbia residents is $10,173. For further information, please contact the Student Residency Office, located at 825 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 7115, Washington, D.C. 20002 or by telephone at (202) 442-5215.  Ellington has no scholarships/financial aid for non District residents.

NOTE: A student whose parent or custodial caregiver fails to present the required proof of residency within 10 days of the opening of the school year will be excluded from attending Ellington. Please be advised that the Ellington Administration will not accept responsibility for falsification of residence.

Why may students only apply for 9th and 10th grade?
Students who attend Ellington graduate with two diplomas – a DCPS diploma and an Ellington arts diploma.  In order to earn the credits necessary for the Ellington diploma, students must be with us for three years.  Exceptions to this are made for students who bring along sufficient acceptable arts credits, as documented on their transcript.  And of course, we always make exceptions for our active military families!

May I audition for more than one area?
Yes.  But if you are accepted by multiple departments, you must choose one concentration. Please refer to each arts discipline's audition requirements by clicking here.

Are there forms for the recommendation letters?  No, there are no forms to use. The letters of recommendation are truly letters.

What happens after the audition?
Admission to Ellington is a four-step process. After the audition you will be notified in a few weeks whether or not you passed the audition.   Students who pass the audition will be invited back for an academic placement assessment followed by a family interview. Final admissions decisions will be made some time after the family interview, but no later than late March.

I've read all this and still have questions - who can help?  Been through our admissions information and still have a question?  No problem - please contact our Admissions Director, Ms. Barbara Power, by email at bpower@ellingtonarts.org or by phone at 202-298-1777 ext. 1774.