'DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI'

Where did Dave Chappelle go to high school?

IN 2021, comedian Dave Chappelle has faced backlash amid his newest Netflix comedy special.

In November, he made a stop at his alma matter and things did not go according to plan.

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Dave Chappelle is a comedian

Who is Dave Chappelle?

Born August 24, 1973, Chappelle, 48, is known as an American stand-up comedian and actor. 

Over the years, he has won countless awards including five Emmy Awards and three Grammy Awards as well as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

He is currently under contract with Netflix after signing a $20million-per-release deal with the company for six standup specials, helping add to his $50million net worth.

In October 2021, Chappelle made headlines after he released his newest stand-up special, The Closer, on Netflix which caused controversy because of his "anti-transgender" comments, and led to a company-wide walkout.

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Where did Dave Chappelle go to high school?

Prior to Chappelle's success, he attended the Washington DC-based Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts is known as a high school that provides students "a full academic course of study and an arts major: Dance, Literary Media and Communications, Museum Studies, Instrumental or Vocal Music, Theatre, Technical Design and Production, or Visual Arts," according to their website.

Chappelle is one of their most distinguished alumni and it was announced on November 12, 2021, that the school will be naming the theatre in his honor this coming Spring.

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"On April 22, 2022, we will celebrate one of our most distinguished alumni, Dave Chappelle, by naming our theatre in his honor," the school said in a press release.

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"This theatre naming was the desire of one of our founders, Peggy Cooper Cafritz, who recognized Chappelle as an important thought leader of our time.

"She understood that the current and future impact of his work and influence would raise the profile of the school, increase opportunities for the entire Ellington community, and provide critical fundraising support for the sustainability of our arts-based curriculum."

In 2020, the school was recognized by US News as one of the top schools in the nation and the No.3 best school in the District of Columbia.

He attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DCCredit: Getty
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What did Duke Ellington students say about Dave?

On November 24, 2021, Chappelle returned to his high school where he did a Q&A with 600 audience members.

However, what seemed like a walk down memory lane turned into criticism after a 16-year-old student reportedly took the mic and called Chappelle a “bigot” who had handled criticism “like a child," according to Politico.

“I’m 16 and I think you’re childish, you handled it like a child,” the student reportedly said.

Chappelle then responded by saying:  “My friend, with all due respect, I don’t believe you could make one of the decisions I have to make on a given day.” 

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Adding: “I’m better than every instrumentalist, artist, no matter what art you do in this school, right now, I’m better than all of you. I’m sure that will change. I’m sure you’ll be household names soon.”

Despite some disgruntled students, Politico reports that some students had different feelings and told their principal they were upset that they did not get to voice their support for him at the forum.

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