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Local news put out articles saying that DSA was planning to move locations, because there is a possibility that DPS wants to relocate their district office to the heart of downtown.
DSA has a long history of being located in the heart of downtown. Known for both rigorous academics and art pathways, DSA provides classes such as Chorus, Band, Visual Arts, and more. With recent news coming out that DSA might be moving locations, the school's reputation might be at stake as speculation rises about the school’s location.
“DSA might move to Duke Homestead because the building that we are currently in is in despair and needs a lot of work done,” Baylis Healy, 6th grader at DSA, said.
The Duke Homestead is a state historic site and a National Historic Landmark in Durham. It is 3.7 miles from DSA’s current location moving for DSA has its benefits.
“The benefits of moving DSA’s campus are better safety and accessibility, as well as less risk of damage or danger due to outdated buildings,” Bestwick, explained.
The benefits don't stop there. Due to DSA’s prime downtown location, traffic is a huge issue. Both morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups can be hindered by this dense traffic.
“The benefits are that we will get a new school and a new building. There will be fewer interruptions to our learning because we won't have to go to remote learning every time something breaks. It will also be safer for students because it will be tucked away and no longer downtown. There will also be fewer traffic jams that were caused because of the carpool line,” Healy, exclaimed.
Commute time to DSA has always been a problem to students, but while moving away may shorten the commute for some students, it could significantly extend it for others.
“I think it will be harder for people that live in South Durham to get to DSA because it will be a longer drive. DSA is in a good location for people who live all around Durham. It would also be sad to lose the first public high school in Durham,” Healy, stated.
Not only will commute time be hindered, but students and teachers will be affected by this huge move.
“It will affect me because it will be a new school that I will have to get used to. It will also be very different from the downtown campus, but it will be a closer drive from my house. Overall, I am okay with a new school, although it will be a little disappointing to no longer be downtown where a lot is going on,” Healy explained.
No matter what happens in the future for the school, one thing can be certain, the move will affect everyone in the DSA community differently.
“I think moving the location will be a significant change for the students and faculty to navigate, but the adjustment won’t be too difficult, the move will probably involve a lot of planning and change for the students and faculty in terms of their routines. Students who only experience the new campus won’t be really affected since they never had to make the transition from one campus to the other,” Bestwick stated.
PHOTO CREDIT: GOOGLE IMAGES
PHOTO COURTESY: SRIKAR KALIGOTLA
DSA’s main entrance to the school is through this area. Everyday 100’s of cars fill up the area to pick up and drop off students.
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