B O U N D L E S S

THE DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

R E A C H I N G N E W H E I G H T S T H R O U G H

PHILANTHROPY

DREAMS

BY EVEY CAHALL ELLINGTON GRADUATE

I was one of those youth, and

I’ve always imagined that

one day Mike and Peggy sat

down, and asked themselves:

“Hey how do we get these

kids to show the world what

they’re made of?” I imagine

that once that question

floated above their heads,

the answer came to them as

clear as a vision from on high.

Let the children dance.Let the children sing.

Let the children draw.Let the children write.

Let the children stand before crowds of hundreds or even thousands, and show the world precisely what it fails to

comprehend.Let the children tell a story—their story.

IN THE EARLY 1960S, PEGGY COOPER CAFRITZ AND MIKE MALONE ENVISIONED A NEW KIND OF LEARNING EXPERIENCE. A PLACE WHERE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA YOUTH COULD RECEIVE WORLD-CLASS ARTS TRAINING

ALONGSIDE RIGOROUS ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION.

CERSTINJOHNSON

ELLINGTON GRADUATE &

FORMER FACULTY MEMBER

For more than four decades, the Duke Ellington School

of the Arts has been nurturing the next generation

of Washington’s scholar-artists. Drawing students

from every ward of our city, Ellington provides a

rigorous academic education alongside top-notch

arts training to over 500 talented young people.

Ellington is among the top-ranked public high schools

in the District, with an average graduation and college

acceptance rate of 95%. Our graduates have soared

to extremely high levels of success. Displaying their

art in prominent galleries; performing on Broadway,

in film and on television; working behind the stage;

and achieving success in fields outside the arts.

We stand today at a moment of transformation for the

next phase of the Ellington Story. With funding secured

from the DC Public School System, we are renovating

our historic school building in the heart of Georgetown

into a beautiful, modern arts education facility.

Opening in 2016, the new building will be the base from

which thousands more students launch their futures.

95%GRADUATION & COLLEGE

ACCEPTANCERATE

THE ELLINGTON STORY

But a building alone educates no one. To truly

achieve the excellence our students deserve,

Ellington must raise significant private

dollars to fund the educational and artistic

endeavors that happen within our walls.

Though our innovative dual-curriculum

program costs thousands more per student

than a standard academic program, we

do not receive enough funding from

DCPS for the arts side. Fundraising

becomes more critical to our success as

our needs and capacity continue to grow.

To continue the remarkable success of the

Duke Ellington School of the Arts, the time

has come to seek sustained investment

from forward-thinking philanthropists.

Strong financial support is needed to help

Ellington students reach new heights of

excellence and artistry—and to establish

our school as a national model of e!ective

public-private partnership for educational

innovation.

What would life be like without art? Without the illuminating pages of a work by Toni Morrison? Or the choreography of Alvin Ailey? The striking colors of a painting by Frida Kahlo or the familiar sound of “Take the A Train?” Without art, all our lives would be diminished. For many of our Ellington students, the arts provide a safe haven in a world that is sometimes harsh and unwelcoming. Through the arts, they learn focus, determination and dedication to their passion. Through practice, they unleash their talent and build their confidence. And with a commitment to excellence, they learn they can soar as high as anyone and demand change in the world around them. The world needs more creative thinkers. The world needs more changemakers. The world needs more Ellington students.

WHY THE ARTS MATTER

I grew up with a lot of rage in segregated Mobile, Alabama. As a young person, I was angry at the world every day. But over time, I saw how my energies could be directed to create change and give opportunities to others. And so I channeled my energies into the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Those of us who have been blessed must not become disinterested. We must be willing to give. Our children must be loved, they must be supported and they must be nurtured. I want every child to feel welcome in the process of learning and finding their own voice. And I want every child to know that though they may face struggles in their lives, this school is always home.

PEGGY COOPER CAFRITZ

CO-FOUNDER

Many people mistakenly believe that all we do at the Duke Ellington

School of the Arts is sing and dance. Nothing could be further from

the truth. We run a full academic program plus an arts program—which

requires a strong commitment from our teachers, students and families.

Ellington is not for the faint of heart. Our school day runs from 8:30 a.m.

until 5 p.m., regularly followed by after school rehearsals that can run as

late as 10 p.m. It takes passion. It takes commitment. And it gets results.

SO M U CH M ORE THAN A SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Ellington was founded with the vision that all creative

young minds—regardless of race, religion or socio-

economic backgrounds—are entitled to and can have

access to the best education.  This best education

is one that partners world-class arts training and

academics in the interest of building holistic citizens. 

The passion and expertise of the unique team of

professional artists and educators that dedicate

their lives and practice to Ellington is one that has

changed the lives of thousands of young people

and continues to produce competitive scholar-

artists. This program promises to build the artists,

problem solvers and architects of our future society, a

promise that that can only be kept with your support.

By investing in Ellington, you invest not only in the

idea that excellence is derived from all walks of life,

but in the reality that young people—when given the

tools, training and support—will change the world!

RASHIDABUMBRAY

DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC AFFAIRS

Ellington provides world-class arts training to talented high school students.

Unlike most arts schools, we look for students with raw talent and passion,

rather than experience or perfect technique. We meet each student where

they are, and then bring them up to the highest level of artistic skill, ready to

succeed in the best conservatories, arts programs and careers worldwide..

Our dedicated arts teachers instill in our students the values of persistence,

hard work and self-discipline through their intense training in one of eight

arts programs:

Dance

Instrumental Music

Literary Media and Communications

Museum Studies

Technical Design and Production

Theatre

Visual Arts

Vocal Music

WOR L D-CLASS EDUCATION IN THE ARTS

Within these Ellington walls,

I cut my teeth, bruised my

knees and developed in body,

mind and spirit. I stood on the

shoulders of the astoundingly

talented and dedicated sta!,

artists and teachers. Because

of them and this institution, I’m

on the stage performing today.

Through these eight

outstanding arts

programs, we prepare

students for arts careers

both on and o! stage

or to use their creativity

and skills in other

careers. Our students

have many extraordinary

opportunities to showcase

their talents in recitals,

school productions and

o!site performances in

venues as grand as the

White House, the Kennedy

Center and Carnegie Hall.

At each step along their

journey, our students are

guided by dedicated and

highly trained teachers

and professionals—

remarkable men and

women who give their all

for our kids every day.

SYLVER LOGAN SHARP

INTERNATIONAL RECORDING

ARTIST, JEWELRY DESIGNER

& ELLINGTON GRADUATE

COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

While we are proud of our excellent reputation in arts education, that is only

half of the Ellington story. We also provide rigorous academic instruction that

allows our students to meet college readiness standards for the best schools.

Our students focus on academics each day from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with

Advanced Placement courses including Calculus, Biology, Language and

Literature, U.S. History, World History, Chemistry and World Language, as well

as Honors academic courses. Ellington students understand that a successful

arts career rests on a strong academic foundation. Their deep commitment

to their arts discipline motivates them to succeed in the classroom—whether

they are studying painting or English, geometry or dance.

Though a significant number of Ellington students accepted are below grade

level in one or more subjects, our dedicated teachers are committed to bringing

them up to speed as soon as possible. Students receive as much tutoring and

other support as they need to achieve success. Ellington students have gone

on to some of the most prestigious and selective colleges and conservatories

nationwide, including Julliard, Oberlin, Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons

College of Art & Design, NYU, Berklee College of Music, University of Virginia,

Penn State, Howard University and George Washington University.

By cultivating the intellectual and creative capacity of Ellington

students, we are investing in a new generation of scholar-artists

with the skills required to compete in the global economy of

the twenty-first century. As a student noted on her first day

of ninth grade English, “academics are an expanding universe

of knowledge.” At the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, we

encourage, equip and empower students to explore and

interrogate this universe through the inner and intersecting

lenses of the visual and performing arts.

Our pedagogical approach is founded on the premise that all

students have the capacity to learn, and that our teachers play

a vital role in fostering habits of mind that enable Ellington

students to embody excellence and overcome obstacles

through self-determination, discipline and a dedicated

commitment to the mastery of their craft. This type of growth is

essential to the realization of the Ellington vision for education

through art. In fact, the unique integration of academic rigor and

artistic imagination at Ellington makes a significant di!erence

in the lives of students, parents and families by engendering

beloved community partnerships for learning that transcend

artificial disciplinary boundaries and transform the landscape

of opportunity for vulnerable students throughout the District

of Columbia.

Simply put, an investment in the Duke Ellington School of the

Arts is an investment in the minds of those who will become

innovative thinkers with the depth of critical insight and

knowledge, breadth of educational experience and creative

resilience to lead us toward brighter tomorrows. The return on

such an investment is both invaluable and infinite.

CAMERON VAN PATTERSON, PHD

DIRECTOR, OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION

The Summer Retreat is a pivotal moment for our incoming students—and an integral

part of our innovative program’s success. For many students, this two-and-a-half day

trip to Camp Moss Hollow in the beautiful Shenandoah foothills is their first experience

spending the night away from home. The retreat serves three important purposes. First,

it gives students the chance to bond with their classmates, the faculty and returning

student facilitators. Students share their life stories, and learn that it is okay to be

vulnerable with one another at Ellington. Incoming students also begin learning about

the rigorous expectations of the Ellington curriculum. By the end of the retreat, they

are prepared for the start of the school year and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Finally, the open atmosphere at the retreat gives the faculty and sta! critical insight

into which students may need a little extra support along the way—a critical first step

to guiding them along their journey at Ellington.

Beyond arts and academics, there is something even more powerful that happens

within our walls and contributes to our students’ success. It is a deep sense of

community that wraps every one of our students in love and support. No matter

what challenges our students may be facing at home, our school is a sanctuary.

Within these walls, they are free to be themselves. Their talents and interests are

accepted and celebrated. And their wounds and sorrows are honored and healed.

At the root of the Ellington community is our Shepherding Program. Whatever

challenges students are facing in school or at home, they know they can turn to the

Shepherding Director or other faculty members for help. Nothing is o! limits.

THE ELLINGTON FAMILY

SUMMER RETREAT: BUILDING COMMUNITY, STRENGTHENING

BONDS

During my tenure here, I’ve seen some amazing

transformations take place within the walls of this school.

I could tell you stories for hours. There was the student

who had been kicked out of almost every middle school

in the city. One of the first things he learned to do as a

child? Weigh and bag cocaine. At Ellington, he was able

to overcome the odds and now has a successful career

and a beloved son of his own. There was the girl from

an a#uent family who had to learn that her years of

musical training didn’t automatically put her at the head

of the class. She had to work hard to compete with

kids with more natural talent. At Ellington, “privileged”

students learn that talent does not discriminate and

that only hard work will place them on center stage.

Then there was the young man who asked if he could

talk to me outside. We walked over to some bushes

and he reached in and pulled out a handgun. He said,

“Please take this away from me. I want a di!erent life.”

He was only 14 years old. Without Ellington, he might

not have made it to 18. And every year, there are kids

who start o! not believing in themselves, who struggle

with peers and acceptance. We embrace them and love

them and demand a lot from them. Then we send them

on the way to greater things than they ever imagined.

It has been the greatest blessing of my life to witness

their journeys.

Father Payne’s

twenty years at

Ellington shaped

many lives through

Shepherding,

scholarship and

love. The John F.

Payne Memorial

Fund has been

created to honor

his memory

and legacy.

THE LATE FATHER JOHN PAYNE

FORMER HEAD OF SCHOOL

& DIRECTOR OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

AMAZING ELLINGTON STORIES

There are powerful phoenix stories at this

school, and there’s a teacher attached

to every single one of them. Ellington’s

faculty taught me the art of self-

encouragement. They taught me to be

confident, hard working, diligent, detail-

oriented… all the skills you really need

to succeed. Those qualities also inspire

respect—not just within the school, but

on the streets as well.

On my way home from Ellington, after

evening rehearsals, I’d have to walk along

Fort Totten Drive in the dark. The drug

dealers on the corner knew I went to

Ellington. If anyone tried to bother me,

they’d say, “Don’t mess with her, she’s

doing something with her life.”

At Ellington, I came to understand that

art is everything. All people in this world—

doctors, bankers, and presidents—need

art. It might inspire the person who

cures HIV or the person who develops an

ecofriendly alternative to gasoline. That’s

powerful and that’s what Ellington gives

each of us.

YAHZARAH AWARD-WINNING VOCALIST

& ELLINGTON GRADUATE

THIS SCHOOL SAVED MY LIFE

People sometimes tell us that Ellington is successful because

we only accept the kids “most likely to succeed.” Not true. We

recruit raw talent, including many kids who have never had a

dance class or a vocal lesson. We seek students with passion

and potential from every ward of our city and all walks of life.

1/3OR MORE OF ELLINGTON STUDENTS ARE IN THE

FEDERAL FREE OR REDUCED COST LUNCH PROGRAM.

COME FROM THE MOST UNDERSERVED WARDS IN THE DISTRICT: WARDS 7 AND 8.

42%

95%

MOST OF OUR INCOMING STUDENTS ARE BELOW GRADE LEVEL IN ENGLISH OR MATH WHEN THEY

START AT ELLINGTON. YET, WE HAVE AN AVERAGE GRADUATION AND COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE RATE OF

COMPARED TO JUST OVER 50% CITYWIDE. WE TEACH OUR KIDS THAT WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE, NOBODY CARES WHERE THEY STARTED

FROM—SO THEY HAVE TO BE READY TO COMPETE.

WHO COMES TO ELLINGTON

Our costs are higher than a typical school because we do

much more. What we receive from DCPS is not enough

to run the “arts” side of our program. Despite the fact

that the school has significant revenue streams of its

own to augment public funding, we still fall far short of

the need. The result is that resources are stretched thin

for both arts and academics—and our teachers are paid

15% less than the DCPS average.

As we look ahead to our new facility, we are determined

to end the culture of austerity and move into the new

building with the resources necessary for our programs,

our teachers, and our students to thrive. The Duke

Ellington School of the Arts plays a vital role in meeting

the educational and cultural needs of the greater

Washington, DC region. It is a point of pride for our city

and a model of what every school should be—a place

where young people can dream and achieve great

things.

It is time for the people of this city to claim this school

as their own—and o!er their philanthropic support to

create a powerful public-private partnership to keep the

Duke Ellington School of the Arts strong for decades to

come. It starts with you. It starts right now.

Join us in this vision of the future.

HERE AT ELLINGTON . . .

HIGH SCHOOL THAT PREPARES STUDENTS

FOR GRADUATION AND COLLEGE.

RENOWNED SCHOOL OF THE ARTS THAT PRODUCES THE SCHOLAR-ARTISTS OF

TOMORROW.

DEVELOP CHARACTER AND VALUES, SO THEY

CAN GROW INTO CARING GLOBAL CITIZENS.

ARTS VENUE AND PRODUCTION COMPANY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE CULTURAL CAPITAL

OF OUR NATION.

JOIN OUR SUCCESS

JOIN OUR SUCCESS

Supporting the Duke Ellington School of the Arts is an

act of joy! There is the joy of being associated with the

arts and seeing the transformation of the raw talent of our

students into polished performances. There is the joy of

knowing how Ellington teaches the whole child, combining

academics and the arts in a multifaceted, e!ective synergy.

There is the joy of being part of one of the truly unique

institutions in the District of Columbia, and indeed the

nation, an institution that has the deserved reputation

as a school that both celebrates arts education and

uplifts its students. The members of the Board of

Directors of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts invite

you to share the joy and become a supporter today!

CHARLES BARBER

PRESIDENT DESAP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OPPORTUNITIES

PERFORM AT YOUR EVENTS

PERFORMANCES & EXHIBITS

(CFC, UNITED WAY, AMERICA’S CHARITIES)

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

WAYS TO GIVE

The Performance Series of Legends is Ellington’s signature fundraising event

annually held at the Kennedy Center. Through this special event, we are able

to raise critically important funds, gain national and international recognition

and forge close partnerships with companies and individuals committed to

arts education.

Past performers have included legendary artists Stevie Wonder; Earth, Wind

& Fire; Smokey Robinson; Patti LaBelle; Sting and Paul Simon; as well as

Ellington alumni—opera singer Denyce Graves and comedian Dave Chappelle.

These legendary performers have not only raised millions of dollars for the

school through ticket sales and sponsorships, but they have shared their

time, talent and knowledge with students in master classes, performances

and other invaluable experiences.

THE PERFORMANCE

SERIES OF LEGENDS

“Ellington is my family for life and for

that, I am profoundly blessed. The

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

has made me who I am today. This

is without a doubt. It really gave me

a sense of purpose. I didn’t know

anything about classical music but

I started taking voice lessons at

Ellington and I discovered myself. A fire

was ignited in me that made me want

to pursue this path. It all happened

at Ellington and I am very grateful.”

DENYCEGRAVES

OPERA SINGER &

ELLINGTON GRADUTE

BY OMOTAYO AKINBOLAJOELLINGTON GRADUATE

I became involved with the Duke Ellington School of the Arts because

its mission inspires me. I believe in the excellence of the academic

and artistic instruction we provide to students who value the

opportunity to learn and strive for success, overcoming all obstacles.

As President of the Ellington Fund Board of Directors and a

longtime donor, I know that my support really has an impact

on shaping the young generation and securing a bright future

for them. Every dollar raised makes a di!erence and every

person involved is a valued member of the Ellington Family.

I am a champion of arts education and will continue to promote the

success of this amazing school. To further express this commitment,

I have made Ellington a beneficiary in my will. I urge others to do

the same to provide a legacy that helps ensure that Ellington’s

work with young minds continues for generations to come.

ROBERT D.HORVATH, JR.

PRESIDENT

ELLINGTON FUND

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

T H E D U K E E L L I N G T O N S C H O O L O F T H E A R T S I S A

B E A C O N O F H O P E F O R T A L E N T E D Y O U N G P E O P L E

A N D A M O D E L O F A N E F F E C T I V E P U B L I C - P R I V A T E

P A R T N E R S H I P I N E D U C A T I O N . Y O U C A N J O I N O U R

S U C C E S S W I T H A T A X - D E D U C T I B L E C O N T R I B U T I O N

T O T H E E L L I N G T O N F U N D .

I N V E S T I N S U C C E S S F U L L Y E D U C A T I N G

Y O U N G P E O P L E F O R T H E 2 1 S T C E N T U R Y —

I N A N D T H R O U G H T H E A R T S .

THE ELLINGTON FUNDDUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

2001 10th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.299.5663 (P) | 202.299.5014 (F)

info@ellingtonarts.org | www.ellingtonschool.orgCFC: 38270 | TAX ID: 52-1152273

@DukeEllingtonDC