GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR THE ARTS 2004

Cab Calloway School of the Arts

Cab Calloway School for the Arts (CCSA) remains the only area school with a vigorous arts-infused, academic curriculum serving students grades 6-12. A group of dedicated parents created CCSA about 11 years ago with approximately 200 students. American jazz legend, Cab Calloway, having moved to Delaware to be close to his daughter, devoted innumerable energies to the arts school. Not long after, the school was named “Cab Calloway School of the Arts” in his honor.

In 2004, the school enrolled over 800 passionate, arts-involved students in five areas of study: visual arts, dance, drama, and vocal and instrumental music. CCSA's students continue to impress the state with supreme achievements not only in the arts, but academically as well. For the second year in a row, the school ranked second in the state in 10th grade reading and writing on the Delaware Student Testing Program, and fourth in the state for math.

In 1994, CCSA students sang at a memorial service held in Cab Calloway's honor at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Other performances and recognitions include: joining Bob McGrath from the original cast of Sesame Street and representing the State of Delaware in dance and song at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; PNC Bank's Common Wealth Award; Comcast Leaders and Achievers Program; and the Brandywine Jazz Festival. “Students excel in academics when they are doing what they love. And the students come here [Cab Calloway] because they have a passion for the arts,” observes the school's principal, Julie A. Rumschlag.

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