Douglas Anderson School Of The Arts

Posted: June 21, 2020

The D.A. administrators have a lot of work to do in terms of focus on donor money, publicity, and their lack of attention to the AMAZING history of the school itself and its student body issues individually and at-large. Besides that, I wouldn’t have gone to any other high school in Duval County. For the most part, it is rigorous while an extremely accepting and supportive environment, which is contributed to by outstanding students, great parents, and passionate teachers who care and uphold the values of the school.

Posted: June 21, 2020

(For AP and Honors) Well equip students for future high school and college courses, college admissions components, and, for the most part, shapes more self-motivated, independent students.

Posted: June 21, 2020

The majority of my teachers have been tough academically at times, but also very flexible, supportive of student achievements, accepting of students regardless of background, and usually have dedication and passion for their specific subjects in and outside of the classroom.

Posted: June 21, 2020

Most students already have these values, but they I would definitely say are enhanced by the mostly diverse, accepting, and challenging environment.

Posted: June 21, 2020

The teachers and students that care about the school, their specific subjects of interest/arts area, and promoting the its values of acceptance and diversity are the true leaders of the school (not the administrators).

Posted: June 21, 2020

I haven’t needed this, but in most environments where it is needed (exams, classes) it seems like there are flexible areas, times, and other accommodations available for those students.

Posted: June 21, 2020

Bullying appears to be rare, but if it did happen I don’t think administrators would be much help.

Posted: July 11, 2018

DA is an outstanding school with a great music program. Academics are good and I feel that they well prepare students for college. I see comments regarding favoritism- in my experience with the school if you work hard it will be noticed and you will be rewarded. The school challenges students and drives them to get better in their respective arts area. Kids graduating this school are admitted to prestigious colleges and granted with very generous scholarships.

Posted: July 11, 2018

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Posted: March 9, 2018

Posted: March 9, 2018

Posted: March 9, 2018

DA advertises academic excellence, but academics are mediocre at best. In the majority of my child’s classes, nine weeks worth of grading is typically saved until the last few days of the quarter. Therefore, students are not given feedback on their mastery of the subject matter until it is too late. Any concerns about this are shrugged off. The school is highly unorganized. My child’s classes were shuffled around multiple times for weeks after school began with multiple scheduling errors made. DA calls this “leveling” classes and it occurs after students re-audition for placement in their arts areas. I understand the reasoning, but it is so chaotic and widespread that it should be embarrassing to the administration. Rather, it seems to be something that they are proud of. Finally, it has been our experience that within arts areas, teachers will have favorites, so some students will have better opportunities than others. I’m sure it is this way at every high school, but don’t expect DA to be different in that regard.

Posted: March 9, 2018

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Posted: February 9, 2018

This school should take a que from the Hamilton musical regarding diversity. I live in the community and this is my third show and possibly my last it's very disappointing is it only one group of students that can star in their productions?

Posted: February 9, 2018

Posted: February 9, 2018

Posted: February 3, 2018

My daughter is a student and I feel there is not diversity in the plays and musicals they select. I would love to see a person of color in a lead role that does not have them play stereotypical characters. Every year I see the same plays that I know
My child could never play.

Posted: February 3, 2018

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Posted: February 28, 2017

great school with an outstanding music program

Posted: August 18, 2015

Douglas Anderson is an amazing school. It's constantly updating, expanding, and improving. Students are challenged in BOTH the academics and the arts. The teachers are supportive and care a lot about their students. Most people believe this school is just for the arts. Well, it is an arts school; however, DA is very focused on academics. Academic classes are challenging. Anyway, colleges like kids that go to an arts school, better than kids that go to regular schools (because they tend to be more well-rounded). A Douglas Anderson student with a 4.6 weighted GPA applied to Duke University (an outstanding medical school in North Carolina). A Stanton (a more academically-focused school in Jacksonville) student also applied to Duke with a 4.9 weighted GPA. While the Stanton student was denied acceptance to Duke, the Douglas Anderson student was accepted into the school with a full ride (she didn't have to pay any tuition).
If you want to pursue the arts after college (which a little under half of graduates actually do), DA is probably the best choice. Many who go to school here end up on Broadway or in a band (notable bands that had Douglas Anderson students in them are Yellowcard, Limp Bizkit, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus). Our vocal department has won a Grammy. Our cinematic arts department has many students that participate in the Jacksonville Film Festival. We have our own student newspaper, run by our creative writing department. Our Jazz ensemble group won first place in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival in New York. The jazz band was also featured in an award-winning documentary called "Chops". Here at DA, we do sometimes compete (within our arts areas, against other schools), but it's not excessively. Faculty actually keep it to a bare minimum, so that students don't miss class often. I, honestly, love DA. i couldn't have gone anywhere else for high school. The people are so nice, students included. I have never seen any bulling (or fights) going on. At all. We all pretty much respect each other. There isn't very much of a status quota either. DA is a great school. I am a better person, and a happier person, than I was coming here.

Posted: August 18, 2015

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Posted: February 21, 2015

We love this school. My child is thriving in music and acedemics. The offering of additional classes via Florida Virtual School is wonderful. We travel from Camden County, GA just for the opportunity to attend this wonderful school. And yes, if you live in Camden County GA you are eligible to audition for DA. If you get in you can take the bus from First Coast HS by Pecan Park Rd.

Posted: November 12, 2014

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is a shining beacon of creativity and hope for the Jacksonville and surrounding areas. In my time at DA as a Theatre Major, I learned more about myself, my craft and being a young professional than I could have anywhere else. What the school captures so magnificently is the ability to prepare young artists for a professional road ahead of them - that goes beyond their chosen art. DA taught me about time management, professionalism, responsibility, being detail-oriented, being specific and being a well-rounded individual. I'm very excited for the future, with the addition of the new buildings. (if only they were there when I attended!) I recommend Douglas Anderson to anyone serious about strengthening their craft and re-vitalizing themselves as young professionals. I'd give anything to do it again - truly. At times, it can be a dark atmosphere - but that as is life. If you attend, you are charged with figuring out how to make the dark atmosphere a light and hopeful atmosphere for yourself. It's an incredible school. Check it out - go to a performance, journey through the gallery, immerse yourself in a shining jewel that Jacksonville has.

Posted: September 27, 2014

Very disorganized. No timely communication to students or parents. Multiple schedule changes for new students throughout first months of being in high school for freshmen. No support or contact by principal. New Vice principal placed in 2014 not caring toward students. Such a shame. Great previous reputation. They dropped the ball on the students this year. Maybe too focused on million dollar building project.

Posted: August 26, 2014

DA is definitely an art school, and not good for much else. The academics are mediocre, there are no sports teams, and school clubs are minimal and disorganized. The art classes are good, but they're packed with students, so one-on-one time with teachers doesn't exist. If you enter as a Freshman and stay for all four years there's a chance that you might get to know the teachers and get a part in a production (coming from a performance theatre major). If you're a performer transfer to DA from another school during a time other than Freshman year, good luck getting cast or getting any kind of solid arts education, because they don't accommodate transfer students very well. But read many reviews; many other arts areas are good.

Posted: August 14, 2014

My son is in an incoming freshman this year and while I am astounded at the educational support for these students and the track record academically and in the art areas, the school's organizational and communication skills are extremely lacking. If I were not a diligent researcher I would not have known much of what I have learned about scheduling, transportation, etc over the past few days. We just sat through orientation which was all about dress code info, no cells during school (which parents complained about), and letting us know about the great additions to the school that should be open next academic year. There was a q&a session but it was flooded more with complaints about the fact that the students are expected to be picked up by 4pm or repeat questions. Notifying us that the student's schedule may not be the one they actually use. A finalized schedule will be given on the first day of school. Supply lists will not be given until during the first week either. I would have liked to have seen a "new to DA packet" (even online), outlining all the information with pertinent phone numbers, a calendar, bus schedule, etc. Put teacher's supply lists online and save paper.

Posted: June 9, 2014

My son attended all four high school years at DA and loved it! This is a wonderful school where students can purse their arts dreams while also maintaing their academics.

Posted: February 1, 2014

Student/ Sister of alumni Douglas Anderson is an outstanding, competitive and profession arts school with dedicated staff and students. Our academics are amazing, and I my arts area, cinematic arts, there isn't as much a sense of team as family. However, the main reason I write this is to inform a reader that most awful reviews with no credible points (I.e. those saying that students at DA are doomed for life) are most likely bitter students who were turned away, students who were kicked out because they were unable to love up to DA's high standards, or the parents of these children. Before you turn away from the school, simply take a tour and you will be blown away by our talent. I assure you of it.

Posted: October 15, 2012

I'm a current student. I must say the academics are good, I'd ignore those you say our academic is poor - come on we're tied 2nd in the county school ranking and our AP scores are usually as good if not better than Paxon and we're coming closer each year to getting better scores to get closer to beating Stanton. There are barely fights - usually 1 or none. There is actually a lot of drama because everyone is competitive, they'll do about anything to crush the other in their major. It's sad to see this when it's post to be technically non-competitive. Some teachers barely assign work and make things extra hard so you always have to be on your toes or next thing you know you have a D or F in a class. A plus is that we can be entirely ourselves compared to other schools, we're more family-like than others. Freshman are usually looked down upon because they don't know how to show respect to the upper clansmen. High rank = higher respect. If everyone follows this you won't have issues with anyone.

Posted: July 29, 2012

As an alumnus of DA (Class of 2003), I feel that it is safe to say that this is one of the best schools in Duval County if not the state. The staff are impeccable and set such a high standard for success. Those who doubt the academic prowess of the school obviously did not attend DA. While the arts are the main focus, the academics could stand alone with every non-magnet program and most of the college prep magnet programs. The only class that was not taken seriously was PE and if you were a dance or theater major you had alternatives which were highly intensive. The music department at DA is phenomenal which has led to DA being named the Grammy school of the year multiple times and most recently in 2011. I hope that if I stay in Jacksonville my children will be accepted and add to the legacy that DA has built.

Posted: May 20, 2012

I'm a graduate from DA. I'm posting only to voice my opinion in response to negative reviews. We were challenged so much academically--were banned from performing artistically if our grades dropped. I got to work with Billy Collins himself, the two-time poet laureate of the United states, Franz Wright, a Pulitzer prize winner, and other prestigious writers under the Creative Writing program. Thanks to what I learned at DA I ended up graduating early with honors from my first-choice college on scholarship. I was always ahead of the class in even my advanced college classes (I took junior level classes in my first semester). I'm now an English teacher (at another school because there were no openings at DA) going into grad school, and I'm only 22. If anyone's child performs poorly academically, maybe the child isn't taking things as seriously as he should, because being a DA kid means you're devoted to everything it takes to be a top performer, including making good grades. There's a reason why DA has been one of the top schools in the United States for years.

Posted: May 17, 2012

This school is academic poor and DOES NOT prepare your child for college. Following a dream is one thing but there is too much favoritism given to pet students who are friends of teachers, staff and long term students. New comers to school are treated like second hand citizens. Your child will leave dumb downed!

Posted: May 25, 2011

I am a visual-art Sophmore at Douglas Anderson and I have to say that DA is a wonderful school in many aspects. My artisitic talent has greatly rose beyond what I would have ever expected, and its only my second year! The academics are good, and if you desire for academic classes you can also take online classes via FLVS. And yet another wonderful feature is the people there! There is hardly ever ANY drama, no fight, its a nice calm school. What DA offers has been way greater than any other school enviroment I've been in. If you're willing to put in the extra effort and maintain your grades, DA will be one of your best experiences.

Posted: February 26, 2011

I am a senior at Douglas Anderson and I recently auditioned for the Boston Conservatory through their regional audition in Miami, FL. The school sent the head of the Music department to record the auditions. When he looked at my forms, he said that he has heard a lot of great things about my school and was really impressed by what he heard from some of his colleagues. This is just one example of the reactions that I have seen when administrators at prospective colleges realize that I go to DA. My teachers have many connections in the music industry, opening many doors for students. I have even had the opportunity to perform in master classes with some of the top young artists in the world! Also, I will get the opportunity, along with many other students, to perform on Florida's State Thespians Mainstage in Tampa in our school's production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida! I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to go to DA for the past four years and I will miss it when I go to college. I will be a Music Education major in the fall, with a strong emphasis in performance. I can't wait to pass on what I have learned at DA to other young musicians!

Posted: November 10, 2010

I have had trouble with several former and current students of douglas anderson high school. Those who attend this school are doomed to fail at life.

Posted: November 2, 2010

I transferred into Douglas Anderson last year as a sophomore, and I couldn't be more positive that I'm in an environment remarkably conducive to arts education as well as academic growth. My classmates have already toured around the world and received millions of dollars in scholarships. Compared to the impersonal preparatory magnets and the lackluster neighborhood schools in the district, DA is a diamond in the rough.