About Durham School of the Arts

  • Tobias

    Dr. Jackie Tobias

    I was born and raised on the island of Jamaica. My family migrated to Florida, and I attended to the University of Florida. I am a die-hard Gator Fan. I received Bachelors, Masters, and Specialist degrees in education from the University of Florida. In addition, I have a Masters in school administration from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. I also have a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner Webb University. I am also National Board Certified. Being an educator is my passion and I truly love being a part of molding and changing the lives of students and adults. It is my pleasure to serve DSA family. Our goal is to challenge students intellectually, grow them socially, and guide them toward independent thinking and problem-solving. Our school’s mission is to challenge students through rigorous and excellence in both performing and visual arts.. We strive to instill DSA’s student body with a sense of personal pride as well as collective pride in and love for our school. My personal philosophy is that it “takes a whole village to raise a child.” We as a family have made much growth and we will continue to strive for excellence in all areas. When you have questions about the school, please feel free to contact me or any other member of our school staff.
    Marla Bullock

    Marla Bullock

    I am a graduate of The oldest HBCU in the South, Shaw University ('96) and THE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ('09) and a 28-year veteran of public education serving 24 of those years in Durham Public Schools. I am the Assistant Principal for 10th grade and 11th grade (A-J). As an educator, I believe it is our service to meet the unique needs of all students academically, socio-emotionally, and functionally.  Though they learn, grow, and develop differently, they all have the capacity to do so.

     
    Carter

    Charles Carter

    Mr. Carter is a 25-year veteran of education who received a BA in  education from Winston-Salem State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from High Point University.  He supervises 9th grade, Global Languages and all Arts programs. He believes that all students have the ability to reach their dreams  with the support of parents, teachers, mentors and stakeholders.

     
    Broc Dickerson Broc Dickerson

    Broc Dickerson is a true “Durhamite,” born and raised in Durham and a proud product of DPS. He graduated Summa Cum Laude earning his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University and a Master’s degree in School Administration from North Carolina State University. At DSA, he oversees 11th and 12th grade students and our Math and Science. Departments. He believes all students deserve a comprehensive and inclusive education that addresses the diverse needs of each student.
    Gibson

    Joshua Gibson

    Mr. Gibson earned his Masters in Educational Leadership from North Carolina State University.  He has served in Durham Public Schools for the past 12 years, first as a teacher and then transitioned to a school administrator.  Mr. Gibson supervises the 6th and 7th grades and the EC and ESL programs. He believes the foundation of any highly effective educator begins with the ability to create authentic, meaningful relationships and through them, help people to develop and grow to meet their goals.
    Redfearn Cornelius Redfearn

    I was born and raised in Wadesboro, NC in Anson County.  I received both my Bachelors and Masters in Education from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) here in the great city of Durham. Although I am a proud North Carolinian, I am a lifelong fan of the Miami Dolphins football team and will always support my beloved NCCU Eagles. My wife Tonya and I have been married for 26 years with 5 children: Taylor, Chandler, Morgan and twins Emerson and Evan.  All of whom have been or are currently educated through Durham Public Schools (DPS). We also have a fur baby named Anson.  I am proud to call Durham my home and I have much love for DPS. As an educator, I am extremely passionate about the education of young scholars and enjoy and accept the responsibility of being a role model for ALL students.

    Org Chart

    Principal: Dr. Jackie Tobias (lorna_tobias@dpsnc.net)
    Twitter Feed: @LjackieT         
    Address: 400 North Duke Street Durham NC 27701
    Phone : 919-560-3926
    Hours of Operation : 8:00AM - 3:30 PM
    Enrollment : 1,835

     Durham School of the Arts first opened in 1995 and is housed in the former Durham High School building, which opened in 1922 and closed as a traditional high school in 1993.  Our campus is expansive, covering three city blocks and includes eight separate buildings.  Approximately 1,655 students from all parts of Durham County are enrolled in grades 6 thru 12.  All students enroll through a lottery application system since DSA has no specific attendance zone and over 2,000 students apply for open positions yearly. Since both students and staff have elected to be at DSA, we feel it is both an honor and a privilege for all of us to be a part of this learning community.  That is one of the reasons that DSA is the most successful school in our district both academically and artistically.    

     

    School Facts

    • Enrollment: 1,766
    • Grades 6 - 12
    • 130+ teachers
    • 6 school counselors

     

    What is unique?

    DSA is an active and dynamic center for arts and academic education.  School life at DSA is based on our shared culture of success and an emphasis on tolerance, diversity, personal responsibility, and respect for individual differences. 

    We are a school like no other. Durham School of the Arts (DSA) is a magnet school founded on the premise of providing our students with an education focused on excellence in the visual and performing arts and rigorous academics.  We believe that since our students are both participants and consumers of the arts, they will be better educated and more informed citizens.  As a result, we expect our students to be the leaders and intellectuals of tomorrow. 

    DSA partners with top tier institutions, such as the Durham Performing Arts Center, Duke University and the American Dance Festival, to expose our students to high-caliber guest artists who provide workshops and master classes. 

     

    Concentration Areas: 

    •  Chorus

    •  Strings

    •  Band

    •  Guitar

    •  Piano

    •  Dance

    •  Theater (Acting & Technical Theater) 

    •  Visual Arts (Draw, Painting, Clay, Sculpture & Photography)

    •  Game Art Design

    •  Creative Writing

    • Film

    		  

     

     

    After DSA:

    DSA has launched students for full-time study in the visual and performing arts at the following schools and programs in North Carolina and all over the United States: 

    American University

    Rhode Island School of Design

    Berklee College of Music

    Rochester Institute of Technology

    Duke University

    Ryder University

    Elon University

    Savannah College of Art and Design

    Georgetown University

    The Pratt Institute

    Howard University

    The University of Chicago

    Maryland Institute College of Art

    UNC - School of the Arts

    Meredith College

    UNC-Chapel Hill

    Michigan State University

    UNC-Greensboro

    NC State University

    University of Nebraska - Lincoln

    New York University

    University of Kentucky

    New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts

    University of Maryland - College Park

    North Carolina A & T State University

    University of Michigan

    North Carolina Central University

    University of Pennsylvania

    Northwestern University

    Westminister Choir College

    Oberlin Music Conservatory

    Wingate University

    Princeton

    		  

     

    Ntianu Nkenge, Magnet Coordinator
    Ntianu.nkenge@dpsnc.net
    919-560-3926; ext. 23229