DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts

Coordinates: 41°13′50″N 111°58′30″W / 41.23056°N 111.975°W / 41.23056; -111.975

DaVinci Academy of Science and The Arts is a charter school located in Ogden, Utah, USA.

History

The DaVinci Academy was founded August, 2004. Originally located in the Old Post Office Building, it is now located in the former AmeriCan Company building. During its first year in operation, DaVinci's student body consisted of the 9th and 10th grades. DaVinci Academy is now in its fifth year of operation with grades 7 through 12. The spring of 2007 brought DaVinci Academy's first graduating class. Most graduates had been at the school since it opened. The graduation ceremony was held held at Peery's Egyptian Theater on May 25, 2007. In 2009, 7th and 8th grades were added, along with a new building. As of 2009, the school had an enrollment of 450 students.^[1]

Premise

The founding premise of the school was a project-based learning environment focusing on arts and science classes. DaVinci's graduation requirements require more course credits in the specific areas of mathematics, science, and English than does Utah's public school system.^{[citation needed]}

Jon Stewart scandal

The DaVinci Academy gained large notoriety when a Jon Stewart was booked to attend a dinner fundraiser during the 2005-2006 school year. Due to a misunderstanding, tickets were sold to see The Daily Show's Jon Stewart. The Jon Stewart the school had booked was actually a former wrestler and motivational speaker. Many hopeful attendees withdrew their donation and demanded a refund on their tickets. The school went ahead with the fundraiser, instead featuring Johnny Biscuit, a local comedian.^[2]

People

Mr. Fred Donaldson is the current principal of the DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts.

External links

• School Information
• Proschool Website

References

1. ^ "$5M expansion of DaVinci in Ogden wrapping up", The Standard Examiner, 29 Sept 2009
2. ^ "Utah School Gets Wrong Jon Stewart", CBS News, 14 April 2006.