Moving to Dallas - Need help on information about Schools (Irving: apartment complexes, renting)

[Zu.ma.nw]

This has been a great forum for our family to collect information while we move to Dallas from NJ. There are lot of pros and cons we are looking at relatively looking at NJ vs Dallas. But now, we are planning to move to Dallas this academic year 2012-13 for the kids. We are evaluating the DSID school system and also saw the gold medal lists for so many good Dallas TX and are really excited. We also understand the competition is going to be cut throat.

Our kids are 7 year old girl and 5 year old boy. Both are doing exceptionally well in class and are in G/T programs here and highly recommended by their teachers. Both of them are enriched via outside school curriculum programs.

Both of them feel they need to pull back from active participation per request from teachers very often as other kids are also to be considered. We understand the teachers position as well. But anyway, we think this Dallas move could benefit the kids as we see few Academies they can apply in Dallas and potential TAG, SEM.

Our work location/commute would not be a problem since we may work from home for a NJ based company with once in a month travel to corporate and may be once or twice a week travel to Dallas corporate office or Irving office.

We want to first evaluate how the places are in Dallas and then maybe watch out for a year and then buy a home.

My question to the Dallas folks for their valuable feedback would be
1. Are there good private schools in Dallas TX if kids dont get into Travis academies for Grade 4. Grade 3 we are planning to put them in a DSID public/private school
2. Are there upper middle class zones, apartments which have like gated communities - we prefer renting 1st year since we dont want to buy house right away
3. In NJ all the magnet schools need u to be a permanent resident in the county - are there any requirements from DSID - TAG or SEM or other magnet schools
4. We are looking at backups in case Travis or TAG or SEM does not happen to our kids - like good private schools

Any inputs from folks in Dallas or who knows of these schools would be great and highly appreciated.

Thanks a lot !

[TurtleCreek80]

Yes, there are many excellent private schools all over Dallas, but most are quite competitive for admissions. 4th grade is a very tough year for entry as open slots are only due to current students not returning. 5th and 6th grades are easier as there are spots open by attrition but also due to schools expanding enrollment in those grades. Whereas most elite privates will have 0-3 spots open for 4th, there may be 10-25 for 5th and 6th. Most of the elite privates are in the north Dallas area, zips 75220, 75229, 75230, 75225 although others are sprinkled all over the Dallas area.

Yes, there are also very good DISD neighborhood schools in case TAG or private don't work out. Elemetary schools are easier to find than middle and high schools. You MUST live in the attendance zone for the specific elementary school(s) you want; there are not ma y transfers as the good schools are always full. In the north Dallas private school area, Kramer, Pershing, Walnut Hill, Preston Hollow, and DeGoyler are all great elemetary schools. In East Dallas, Lakewood, Stonewall Jackson, Hexter are all very good. In North Oak Cliff, Rosemont is great. There are fewer private options in East Dallas and North Oak Cliff than North Dallas.

I would recommend renting a house or duplex over an apartment. There are not a ton of upscale apartment complexes in many of these areas- some in Lakewood Elem zone (Winstead @ White Rock), some in Preston Hollow Elem (along Northwest Highway & Thackery). One @ Forrest & 75 by Medical City Hospital that may be zoned for Kramer. Some along University Blvd & Lovers Lane zoned to Stonewall Jackson. Most apartment complexes in 75229/ 75220 are pockets of lower income residents, not upscale apartment communities.

[Zu.ma.nw]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Yes, there are many excellent private schools all over Dallas, but most are quite competitive for admissions. 4th grade is a very tough year for entry as open slots are only due to current students not returning. 5th and 6th grades are easier as there are spots open by attrition but also due to schools expanding enrollment in those grades. Whereas most elite privates will have 0-3 spots open for 4th, there may be 10-25 for 5th and 6th. Most of the elite privates are in the north Dallas area, zips 75220, 75229, 75230, 75225 although others are sprinkled all over the Dallas area.

Yes, there are also very good DISD neighborhood schools in case TAG or private don't work out. Elemetary schools are easier to find than middle and high schools. You MUST live in the attendance zone for the specific elementary school(s) you want; there are not ma y transfers as the good schools are always full. In the north Dallas private school area, Kramer, Pershing, Walnut Hill, Preston Hollow, and DeGoyler are all great elemetary schools. In East Dallas, Lakewood, Stonewall Jackson, Hexter are all very good. In North Oak Cliff, Rosemont is great. There are fewer private options in East Dallas and North Oak Cliff than North Dallas.

I would recommend renting a house or duplex over an apartment. There are not a ton of upscale apartment complexes in many of these areas- some in Lakewood Elem zone (Winstead @ White Rock), some in Preston Hollow Elem (along Northwest Highway & Thackery). One @ Forrest & 75 by Medical City Hospital that may be zoned for Kramer. Some along University Blvd & Lovers Lane zoned to Stonewall Jackson. Most apartment complexes in 75229/ 75220 are pockets of lower income residents, not upscale apartment communities.

Thanks TurtleCreek!

Is it too late for 3rd grade admissions in Private. Our main goal / focus is for Travis 4th grade. We were thinking of enriching before 4th grade travis - if we go through their testing process that is...

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Zu.ma.nw

Thanks TurtleCreek!

Is it too late for 3rd grade admissions in Private. Our main goal / focus is for Travis 4th grade. We were thinking of enriching before 4th grade travis - if we go through their testing process that is...

Most schools' applications are due right now for next year. I would call the privates that interest you (many old threads on here can get you a list of schools to look into, depending on whether you want single sex or co-Ed / K-12 or K-8 / religious or independent, etc) ASAP to find out what your options are.

[SMS_Parent]

If you end up looking for apartments in the 75229 area, check out the Forestwood town home complex at the corner of Forest and Inwood. It is an older complex with a gate and guardhouse -- but the guardhouse isn't manned and the gates aren't typically locked. It often serves as the temporary residence for families in the neighborhoods near Hockaday who are doing full gut remodels of their homes -- so there are a lot of children from the neighboring private schools who live there for short periods. (Not sure what public school those apartments are zoned to, but would guess either Nathan Adams, Withers or Pershing -- all of which are among the better DISD elementary schools.)

[Zu.ma.nw]

Originally Posted by SMS_Parent

If you end up looking for apartments in the 75229 area, check out the Forestwood town home complex at the corner of Forest and Inwood. It is an older complex with a gate and guardhouse -- but the guardhouse isn't manned and the gates aren't typically locked. It often serves as the temporary residence for families in the neighborhoods near Hockaday who are doing full gut remodels of their homes -- so there are a lot of children from the neighboring private schools who live there for short periods. (Not sure what public school those apartments are zoned to, but would guess either Nathan Adams, Withers or Pershing -- all of which are among the better DISD elementary schools.)

Thanks. Looking at Lakewood as a primary school for move. Iam also looking at Travis admission process etc... If any one can share their experience or suggestions to the best path way to travel to Travis would be great.