Specialty Brochure
(Click here to return to Specialty Page)
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 2022-23 School Choice programs. Students may apply for one School Choice program only for the 2022-23 school year.
The application window is
November 12 - December 10, 2021. 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.
Audition/Artistic Review
Please plan to attend the
Virtual Parent Information Session on October 26, 2021 at dms.rockdaleschools.org 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 15, 2022.
Contract Signing Day is February 17, 2022.
Academy for Performing and Visual Arts at Davis Middle School
A Message from the Principal
Our 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. 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. Our Milestone Assessments continue to lead the district and our Fine Arts program continues to be recognized at the local, state, and national level. 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. General Ray Davis Middle School was the first middle school in the state to earn the status of Green Ribbon School. Our school also earned the status of being named a “Title I Distinguished School” for multiple consecutive years. Our student athletes continue to be role models in the classroom and are competitive in every sport. 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.
In the first 15 years of the history of Gen. Ray Davis Middle School, we established a rich history of excellence in academics, arts, and athletics. We focus on the ideals of our namesake, Gen. Ray Davis, as we seek to meet our mission of student excellence through integrity, strong work ethic, perseverance, and respect. Our school provides unique opportunities for our students to experience learning through the arts. At Gen. 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.”
Sincerely,
Scott T. Stanton, 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
Chorus
2019 District IV Honor Chorus - 25 students selected
Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) Superior Ratings 2016, 2017, 2018
2018 All-State Chorus - 11 students selected
Band
All-State Band - Multiple students selected, 2021
Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) Superior Rating 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
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
Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) Superior Rating 2018, 2019, 2020
All-State Middle School Orchestra – Multiple students selected, 2018, 2019, 2020
2018 Solo & Ensemble Superior Awards - 10 students
2018 Southern Star Music Festival - Silver Award
Visual Arts
2021 - 2012 River of Words State Winner & Nat’l Finalist 2018
2018 Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week Art Contest
2020 - 2014 State Winner GA Art Educators Association Youth Arts Month Georgia Flag Design Semifinalists
2021 - 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
2019 - 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
2021 - 2018 Hartsfield-Jackson International Concourse Exhibit
2021 - 2015 Jimmy Carter NHS Postcard Design, State 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl.
2020 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
Photography
Georgia Student Technology Competition State Level, 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl. 2021 - 2015
East Atlanta Student Technology Conference, 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl. 2021 - 2015
Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts Cherry Blossom Photography Contest, Grand Champion and 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl.
GAEA Capital Art Exhibit, 2019, 2020
DMS Car Photography Show 2017, 2018, 2019
Film-Video Production
GA Student Media Festival State level, Best in Show, Superior, Winners 2019-2015
DMS Student Media Festival 2018-2015
Georgia Student Technology State Competition 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl. 2021 - 2015
East Atlanta Student Technology Conference 1st, 2nd, 3rd pl. 2021 - 2015
Nat’l History Day Documentary State 2019-2016 & National 2019 - 2018
Additional Academic Services
Program Challenge
Foreign Languages
Academic Tutorial & Acceleration
Nat’l Junior Honor Society
Tri-M Music Honor Society