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Class Act with Chris Wragge visits Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Talent walks the halls at Denzel Washington School of the Arts 04:18

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. -- Denzel Washington School of the Arts in Mount Vernon is preparing students for college and careers in the arts industry, opening doors most couldn't imagine walking through.

Founded in 2015, it serves grades six through 12, with an enrollment of about 450 students. 

CBS News New York's Chris Wragge takes us for our latest Class Act, sharing what makes the school so special. 

See live updates from our visit below. 

 

Thank you DWSA!

That's a wrap at Denzel Washington School of the Arts 01:17

"Thank you so much for coming, this is so exciting, it's been a wonderful morning for our children, and you can see they're amazing," Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith tells Wragge. 

By Chris Wragge
 

Live performances continue

Denzel Washington School of the Arts comes alive for Class Act 05:32

We have more performances from student vocalist Leanna Laino, poet laureate Kaitlyn Leslie, vocalist Charlize Ford and vocalist Eric Buchanan. 

Denzel Washington School of the Arts shows their stuff on Class Act 04:47
By Chris Wragge
 

Hear from some of the students

Hear from talented students at Denzel Washington School of the Arts 03:29

Hear from student vocalist Matthew Samuels, a dance routine from Madison Govia and performance from the DWSA Chorale choir. 

No shortage of talent at Denzel Washington School of the Arts 03:45
By Chris Wragge
 

Helping students hone their craft

Talent walks the halls at Denzel Washington School of the Arts 04:18

The Denzel Washington School of the Arts in Mount Vernon was founded in 2015. To go there, students have to be good and they have to be smart. 

The school provides an inroad to get into the arts and entertainment industry, opening doors they never thought could be opened.

Talent is what makes Denzel Washington School of the Arts so special.   

With an enrollment around 450 students, you audition to get in, and when you get in, it's not just about making the most of your opportunities, it's also about making the grade. Artistic performance aside, it's still all about the academics. 

This school gets things done -- from acting, to singing, to jazz band to drum lines, the halls are alive with the sound of music.  

See more from our visit here.

By Chris Wragge
 

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By Renee Anderson
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