Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, commonly known as DA or DASOTA, is a magnet high school in the San Marco neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida, United States. The school opened in 1922 during segregation as a primary school for African American students. The school is named after a local civil rights activist, Douglas Anderson. In 1985, the school was renovated into a magnet high school specializing in performing, visual and language arts.^[2] A historical marker commemorates its history.

Awards

The school was designated a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence^[3] and received awards from the United States Department of Education, the International Network of Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.^[4]

In December 2009, the school was designated a Florida Heritage Landmark by the Bureau of Historical Preservation. The ceremony was attended by students and school officials, Anderson's family, and the first graduates of the school from 1959.^[5]

History

Opened in 1922 as The South Jacksonville Grammar School for grades 1—9, the school was primarily attended by African American students; the only school in the region during that time.^{[citation needed]} In 1945, the school name changed to Douglas Anderson School.^{[citation needed]} During the 1950s, the school became a high school with the mascot of "Fiery Dragons" and in 1959, the school saw its first graduating class with a commencement speech given by Noah Marsh.^{[citation needed]} During the 1960s, the school closed briefly and reopened in 1968 as a campus for Florida Junior College.^{[citation needed]} In 1970, the school closed briefly again and reopened in 1971 as the Douglas Anderson Seventh Grade Center.^{[citation needed]} In 1985, the school opened as Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.^{[citation needed]}

Notable alumni

References