Best Schools!

[VickieP]

Simply log on to the school district web site, if you know it, and you can find out the scores. Best of luck.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by vfib

I am looking for a good public school district and this thread has been helpful.
I had heard HP was top notch but had concerns about comments above on how they treat outsiders. I assume HP is predominantly affluent white families. I am Asian and my daughter is half white so don't know if she would be treated differently or not. I will need to visit these schools and talk to other parents to get a firsthand look. I don't know the area to the west/northwest of Dallas so I need to look into Southlake, Coppell, Grapevine, etc. I've been around Plano a lot so that seems like a good possibility. I was surprised to see Garland on their (albeit on the poster's "silver list"). I work in Garland and Rowlett currently so living close to work with great schools would be nice but I am willing to move to other parts of DFW. Any more input into public schools would be great.

So why not just live in Garland close to work??? I live in Garland and have kids in the GISD and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! Been VERY pleased. Your daughter would fit in just fine in the GISD. Garland has magnet programs starting in kindergarten. The high schools offer a wide range of studies depending on the students interests. If you want out of the metroplex a little bit further then try Rockwall. I would NOT want to commute from Southlake, Coppell or Grapevine to Garland/Rowlett - YUCK! Live close to work and enjoy time with your family instead of commuting. You could be close enough to go have lunch w/ her, attend school functions, etc. Makes a HUGE difference moreso than being just in a district w/ "top scores" that don't mean diddly-do if a child does not have a parent present and involved in their education.

[SouthlakeSince1996]

Keep in mind that Newsweek determines the "best schools" in America by how many AP tests are TAKEN--how WELL students SCORE is not taken into account. Some schools have pushed AP testing (by using incentives, such as drawings for cars, iPods, etc.) on regular students in order to get a higher place on this list.

[Spree]

Originally Posted by SouthlakeSince1996

Some schools have pushed AP testing (by using incentives, such as drawings for cars, iPods, etc.) on regular students in order to get a higher place on this list.

Really? Does Southlake do this?

[tsangia]

Since were on Schools how is Rockwall ISD? No gangs, etc
Are they warm and welcoming?

[Grainraiser]

Rockwall use to be a small sleepy community. The area has really taken off within the last 5 years or so. The only crime you would have to deal with would be teenagers getting bored and doing things teenagers do. The town is very safe in my opinion. The schools are good for the most part but to be honest most of them or so new they really don't have a real track record.
I would have on problem living there.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by tsangia

Since were on Schools how is Rockwall ISD? No gangs, etc
Are they warm and welcoming?

I have many friends in Rockwall and they all love the schools. They all have kids from kindergarten thru high school. It is still a "small town" feel in the school spirit way and such. As with any and all districts and areas your going to have the kids that just don't know how to act or want to cause trouble but that is unavoidable anywhere you go. Rockwall does have a lot of volunteers and community spirit so that helps in keeping the schools, kids and community active.

As far as a "track record" Rockwall High School has been around for a LONG time as have some of the elem schools and middle schools. I have friends that have kids at the older schools and the newer schools.