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AchievementsThis year DA welcomed new students who were accepted by audition from virtually all 23+ Duval County middle schools, 23 private schools, and schools located in other countries, states, and counties.Listed below are just a few recent DA awards and successes:
100% graduation rate in 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 school year
- Recognized as a National Exemplary Arts School of Distinction 2018-2023 by the Arts Schools Network
- Recognized as the National GRAMMY Signature School ten times for having the best high school music program in the country
- Consistently ranked in the top 1% of high schools nationally by Newsweek, US News & World Report, College Board, and the Washington Post
- Class of 2023: 92% attending colleges, universities, & conservatories, or vocational programsMore than $19.6 million in scholarships awarded to the class of 2023
- SAT scores of DA graduates average 62+ points above the national mean
- Ranked #28 in Florida’s Top 50 High Performing High Schools
- One National Merit Semi-Finalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program
- One National Merit Finalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program
- Two students were named 2022 National Merit Commended Scholars
- Three Young Arts Winners 2024, Maurice Chakour, Jazz/Guitar, Ayanna Nelson, Voice/Jazz, Ayviana Singh, Theatre/Spoken and one Winner with Distinction in Visual Arts, Kierra Reese
- Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards National Winners (includes Visual Arts, Creative Writing, and Cinematic Arts)
- Elan Literary Magazine was recognized as a Superior Literary Magazine by the National Council for Teachers of English annual literary magazine contest
- 15 Applause Award wins for our performance in Chicago including: Musical, Director, Musical Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Lead Performers, Supporting Performers, Actor, Sound Design, Lighting Design, and Ensemble, Regional winner for Female Lead
- Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble 1 performed at the prestigious Western International Band Clinic in Seattle and at Carnegie Hall for the New York Wind Band Festival
- The Jazz Band & Jazz Combo performed at the International Jazz Educators Network Festivals in New Orleans, Dallas & Orlando
- DA Orchestra Symphony performed at the Florida Music Educators Conference in Tampa
- 2021 Basically Basie Jazz Band Competition Winner
- Jazz Band voted best HS Jazz Band 2023 by Downbeat Magazine
- 21-22 & 22-23 National Jazz Festival Jazz Combo Winner, Jazz Ensemble 1 Winner
- 21-22 & 22-23 Jazz Band invited to play at Jazz Educators Network National Conference
- DA Band was named National Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Project
- 56 students qualified for Florida All-State Music ensembles
- 91 Gold Key Scholastic Awards Collectively in Visual Arts, Creative Writing, and Cinematic Arts