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Welcome to
Douglas Creative Arts and Science!
What makes Douglas different from traditional schools and from other magnet schools?
At Douglas Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, we believe that each child holds more potential than we can measure. To that end, we are dedicated to an arts-infused teaching approach that inspires students to soar beyond traditional expectations. Students engage with the curriculum through arts-integrated thematic units and interdisciplinary instructional strategies. Individualized instruction, based on Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, nurtures each student’s unique strengths and includes learning through the kinesthetic, musical, spatial, verbal, logical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist intelligences. Intentional collaboration among teachers from all disciplines engenders creative instruction and builds an environment of joyful teaching and learning.
Douglas is a school community boasting a richly diverse student population. All students in kindergarten through fifth grade receive rotational instruction outside their regular classroom in Art, Dance, Drama, Science, Music, and PE weekly. Unlike some other magnet schools, Douglas does not offer electives. Based on the philosophy that individuals possess multiple intelligences, the Douglas staff strives to provide continual integration of the arts into the daily instruction.
Douglas operates on the traditional school calendar. Students may arrive at 8:45 AM. The instructional bell rings at 9:15 and the school day ends at 3:45 PM.
What is the A+ Schools Network?
Douglas is part of the A+ Schools Initiative in North Carolina established in 1995 by the Keenan Institute for the Arts. The program is grounded in the philosophy that education is a continuous cycle of teaching, learning, and assessment where the arts play a central role in how children learn. The A+ organization provides Douglas with professional development in arts integration.
What are “Multiple Intelligences”?
This term is based on the research done by Howard Gardner at Harvard University. The Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory holds that every individual possesses several different and independent capacities for solving problems and creating products. According to Gardner’s theory, individuals possess talents in eight different areas: verbal linguistic (word), mathematical/logical (math), bodily kinesthetic (body), musical/rhythmic (music), visual/spatial (art), naturalist, (nature), intrapersonal (self), and interpersonal (people). Douglas promotes development in all eight areas so students can learn through their individual intelligences. More on MI...
How does the program at Douglas meet the needs and challenge all students?
Because of the strong belief in Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, all students at Douglas are successful learners. The program challenges students by requiring them to explore their talents in the eight MI areas. Students are exposed to academic material through participation in a variety of activities allowing acquisition of curriculum in numerous ways.
My child has difficulty in a traditional classroom setting. Because your program emphasizes movement, will she/he be more successful at your school?
Although students at Douglas are actively involved in the learning process throughout the school day, the school setting is quite structured. The activities that students participate in require them to act responsibly and to use self-control. In order to be successful, students should be able to manage their own behavior.
Will my child be able to take violin or dance lessons or take foreign language courses?
Douglas does not offer elective courses in the arts. Our belief is that children should be exposed to a variety of integrated arts activities. The arts are used to support curriculum instruction in a creative and stimulating manner. Currently we do not offer foreign language to our students.
Do you provide transportation?
WCPSS Transportation Services has established a set of express bus routes to transport some of our students. Visit the www.wcpss.net site, look on the button bar on the left-hand side of the page and click student assignment to learn more about your busing options.
Do you provide before and/or after school care?
Students at Douglas may enroll in school sponsored, before and after school care. Before school care is offered beginning at 7:00 AM until the start of the school day at 8:45 AM. After school care is provided until 6:00 PM. Please contact the Douglas school office (919-881-4894) for enrollment information.
If my child is accepted, how would he/she see the school?
After acceptances have been mailed we offer an open house for students to view the school facility. Kindergarten Open House allows time for children to visit classrooms and kindergarten teachers to give important information to parents.
When will my kindergarten student begin school?
Kindergarten students begin the first week of school on a staggered entry schedule. Parents will receive information from kindergarten teachers regarding the day of the week the child is to attend school. During this day students are engaged in developmental screening, tour the school, get to know the kindergarten teachers, and become acclimated to the building. On the last day of the week, all kindergarten students return to meet their new kindergarten teacher. They begin a regular schedule the second week of school.
Tell me about your PTA.
The Douglas PTA is an energetic, enthusiastic organization of parents and staff who support Douglas in a variety of ways. Among a long list of activities they sponsor are monthly spirit nights, fund-raising events, teacher supply funds, co-sponsor grants, and provide many hours of manpower within the school each week. We are fortunate to have such an encouraging organization supporting Douglas.
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Our School