Durham School of the Arts

www.dsa.dpsnc.net

1,705 Students

High School 6th - 12th

School Overview

Durham School of the Arts (DSA) is a unique, audition-based magnet school located in the heart of downtown Durham, North Carolina. Serving students in grades 6 through 12, the school is designed to integrate rigorous academic standards with a comprehensive focus on the fine and performing arts. By operating within the Durham Public Schools system, DSA provides a specialized environment where students are encouraged to pursue professional-level training in areas such as dance, music, theater, visual arts, and creative writing alongside their core curriculum.

The school is well-regarded for its vibrant, creative culture and its commitment to fostering artistic expression as a central component of student development. Because of its specialized nature, the campus features dedicated facilities for performances and studio work, creating an atmosphere that mirrors a conservatory-style setting. With its strategic location near the city’s cultural hubs, Durham School of the Arts serves as a key institution for students who are passionate about both academic achievement and the cultivation of their artistic talents in a diverse and collaborative community.

1,705

Total Students

114.0

Full-Time Teachers

15.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

102.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Durham School of the Arts
Demographic	Student Count
White	603
Hispanic	520
Black	423
Asian	61
Two or More	95
American Indian	3

White
603 (35.4 %)
Hispanic
520 (30.5 %)
Black
423 (24.8 %)
Two or More
95 (5.6 %)
Asian
61 (3.6 %)
American Indian
3 (0.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Durham Public Schools
Phone:	(919)560-3926
Website:	http://www.dsa.dpsnc.net
Grade Range:	6th - 12th
Total Students:	1,705
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	114.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	1,750
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 220

Grade 7 209

Grade 8 211

Grade 9 290

Grade 10 224

Grade 11 287

Grade 12 264

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Durham School of the Arts
Grade	Student Count
Grade 6	220
Grade 7	209
Grade 8	211
Grade 9	290
Grade 10	224
Grade 11	287
Grade 12	264

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Durham School of the Arts
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	1,013	59.4%
Male	692	40.6%