Ellington School for the Arts | Washington, D.C.

Named for the American jazz bandleader and composer Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899–1974), the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts, located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C, was founded in 1974 and is the only DC public high school that provides professional arts training and college preparation to talented DC public school students. Each student takes a full academic course-load and, additionally, majors in one of eight arts disciplines: dance, literary media, museum studies, instrumental music, vocal music, theater, and visual arts.

Other Facts:

• The school’s curriculum requires students earn 34% more credits than those at other D. C. public high schools.
• Students must maintain a minimum grade point average in both academics and the arts to be permitted to perform.
• The school has a 99% on-time graduation rate.
• Famous alumni include Dave Chappelle (comedian), Johnny Gill (R&B singer and member of New Edition), Meshell Ndegeocello (singer), and Wallace Roney (jazz trumpeter).

Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Address: 3500 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 282-0123
Official Website
Map & Driving Directions

Duke Ellington Mural | Washington D.C.

The Duke Ellington Mural is located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington D.C., within the Mount Vernon Square historic district, an area that has been a hub of African-American cultural life since the late 19th century and the neighborhood that shaped and nurtured him. The Duke grew up just around the corner on Bates Street and began his career in the music halls and clubs that flourished along nearby 14th Street in the 1910s.

The painting, completed in 1997 by muralist G. Byron Peck, is based on a photo of Ellington on the frontispiece of his autobiography, Music Is My Mistress. It is attached to the side wall of Mood Indigo, the “nostalgia” shop adjacent to the Green Line metro station at 13th and U Streets, N.W.

Duke Ellington Mural
Address: 1214 U Street North West, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: N/A
Official Website: N/A
Map & Driving Directions