Specialty Brochure

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Academy for Performing and Visual Arts at Davis Middle School
3375 E. Fairview Road, SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281  •  770-388-5675  •  dms.rockdaleschools.org


Program Overview

General Ray Davis Middle School, in support of the Rockdale County Public Schools vision to offer expanded learning options, offers a rigorous fine arts program specifically targeting the performing and visual arts.  The goal of the Academy for Performing and Visual Arts is to explore and develop artistic talents within young students by making the arts part of each student’s core learning experience.  The program offers:
• Discrete arts instruction in dance, theatre arts, vocals, band, strings, photography,
video and visual arts;
• Integration of arts across other content areas:  math, science, language arts, social studies.

Academy classes prepare students for the next level of performing and/or visual arts education while maintaining high academic achievement.


Application, Eligibility, and Artistic Review

RCPS will use an electronic application process for 2024-25 School Choice programs.  Students may apply for one School Choice program only for the 2024-25 school year.

The application window is November 10 - December 15, 2023.  The online application will be available on the district website at:  www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice 

Only complete applications will be accepted.


Eligibility Criteria

•  Students must meet standards in ELA, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies on the Milestones assessment.

•  Students must meet the student registration requirement for Rockdale County Public Schools.*

•  Students and parents must agree to the Choice contract.

*All students must reside in Rockdale County or have a parent employed with RCPS to apply. Students residing in Rockdale County but attending home or private school who are accepted must fully enroll in RCPS in June. RCPS policy JBCB-R will apply to all RCPS employee children who are accepted.

Audition/Artistic Review


Please plan to attend the Parent Information Session at DMS on October 17, 2023, 5:00-6:00 p.m. to learn about requirements for audition/artistic review process. Eligible applicants must complete the audition/artistic review process for final selection.

The Audition/Artistic Review date is January 13, 2024.  Please visit our website: https://dms.rockdaleschools.org/specialty for the date/time and requirements of the Audition/Artistic Review.
 


Academy for Performing and Visual Arts at Davis Middle School

A Message from the Principal

Since the establishment of General Ray Davis Middle School (GRDMS), we have developed a rich history of excellence in academic, arts, and athletics.  We focus on the ideals of our namesake, General Ray Davis, as we seek to inspire student excellence through integrity, strong work ethic, perseverance, and respect.  Our school provides unique opportunities for our students to experience learning through the arts.

The General Ray Davis Middle School Fine Arts Academy programs offer our talented fine arts students and teachers a unique opportunity to achieve excellence in education through a passion for the arts.  The superior quality of our Fine Arts program provides students with the opportunity to work with local and regional artists while maintaining a high level of artistic rigor that few programs can emulate.  Our school earned the status of being named a “Title I Distinguished School” for multiple consecutive years. General Ray Davis Middle School was the first middle school in the state to earn the status of Green Ribbon School.  We offer many opportunities for academic, artistic, and athletic involvement after school, and we encourage all our students to get involved at school and show their Golden Eagle pride.

Our faculty and students work tirelessly to ensure students receive the highest level of instruction as demonstrated by our assessment scores and award-winning programs.  At General Ray Davis Middle School, we will continue to seek excellence and SOAR to the highest heights by working together, putting plans into action, learning from mistakes, and making changes for a better future the “Davis Way.”

Yours in Education,
Kimberly Dyer
Principal


Mission Statement

The Mission of General Ray Davis Middle School, an academy dedicated to patriotism, service and integrity, is to inspire, empower, and equip all individuals to recognize and reach their unique potential the Davis Way!
The Davis Way is a tradition of:
• fostering uncompromising excellence in a safe and orderly environment,
• embracing the talents, gifts, and diversity of every stakeholder,
• instilling pride in self, school and community.

General Ray Davis - USMC

Our school is named for a great hero and late resident of Rockdale County, Medal of Honor winner Gen. Ray Davis.  He earned this medal and many other recognitions for exemplary service to our country.  He was one of 94 men — three Georgians — to earn the Medal of Honor in the Korean War.  His awards include the Navy Cross, the nation’s second highest decoration for bravery, two Silver Stars, and the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for valor.  He became one of the most decorated veterans in U.S. History.  We are proud to be named for such a great person!


DMS Accolades

DMS Title I Reward / Distinguished School (Top 5%)
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022

Chorus
Georgia All-State Chorus - 9 students selected
GRDMS Chorale - All Superior Ratings at LGPE
Tenor-Bass Chorus - All superior Ratings at LGPE
GRDMS Chorale - 1st Place and Best Overall Choir, Music in the Parks Competition

Band
2022 County Honor Band - 30 students participated
2022 Solo & Ensemble 15 Groups Participated - All received Superior ratings
2021 All-State Band - Multiple students selected
2016-2019, 2022 Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) Superior Rating
2019 UGA Middle School Honor Band Participants  
2018 UGA Middle School Band Festival Participants   
2019-2018 Most RCPS Middle School Participants at GMEA District Honor Band    

Dance
2018 National Dance Alliance National Championship Bid
2018 National Dance Alliance Herkie Team Award
2018 National Dance Alliance All Americans - Three students

Strings/Orchestra
2018-2020, 2022, 2023 Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) Superior Rating
2018-2020 All-State Middle School Orchestra - Multiple students selected
2018 Solo & Ensemble Superior Awards - 10 students   
2018 Southern Star Music Festival - Silver Award
2023 Music in the Parks, Carowinds – 1st place middle school orchestra
2023 Music in the Parks, Carowinds – Best Overall Orchestra

Visual Arts
2023 - 2012 River of Words State Winner & Nat’l Finalist
2018 Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week Art Contest 1st Place
2022 and 2020 State Winner GA Art Educators Association Youth Arts Month Georgia Flag Design Semifinalists
2023 - 2012 GAEA Capital Art Exhibit
2019 - 2013 State School Board Youth Art Gallery Participant (One of 13 artworks selected in the state)
2020 - 2015 GA School Nutrition Association Design Contest 1st pl. State, Middle Grades 2018 - 2017 Atlantic Institute Art and Essay Contest 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th,10th pl. in State
2022 - 2017 Georgia School Bus Safety Poster Contest 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl.
2020 - 2015 Nat’l Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest State Finalists
2020 - 2017 High Museum of Art Exhibit/Virtual Exhibit
2023 - 2018 Hartsfield-Jackson International Concourse Exhibit
2022 - 2015 Jimmy Carter NHS Postcard Design, State 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl.
2023-2021 DOE Georgia Day Exhibit at State School Board 2021 GA Historical Society GA Day Art Competition 1st-3rd pl. 6th, 7th and 8th gr.
2021 KSU Youth Art Gallery Exhibit, Zuckerman Museum of Art
2023-2022 Judicial Council of Georgia Law Day Art Contest 1st Place in State
2021 Georgia Council on Economic Education Art Contest - 1st Place in State

Photography
2015-2022 Georgia Student Technology Competition State Level Winners
2015-2022 East Atlanta Student Technology Conference Winners
2015-2022 Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts Cherry Blossom Photography Contest
2021-2022 Hartsfield Atlanta Airport Youth Art Gallery Exhibit
2019-2022 GAEA Capital Art Exhibit
2017-2019 DMS Car Photography Show

Film-Video Production
2015-2019 GA Student Media Festival State Level, Best in Show, and Superior Winners
2015-2018 DMS Student Media Festival
2015-2022 Georgia Student Technology State Competition Multiple Winners
2015-2022 East Atlanta Student Technology Conference
2016-2022 National History Day Documentary State and National Winners



Additional Academic Services

Program Challenge
Foreign Languages
Academic Tutorial & Acceleration
National Junior Honor Society
Tri-M Music Honor Society