Private School Feedback (Dallas, McKinney, Southlake: how much, buying, theatre)

[sunnyskies04]

Hello,
We are looking to move to Dallas with a 4th and 6th grader and are strongly leaning toward private school. The reasons we are doing so are: smaller class size, individualized learning, more opportunities for a well-rounded education (community service, sports, arts, theatre), less focus on standardized testing, and more diversity. Our kids are above average students but we are not interested in carving out a path to an Ivy League school. In fact, I do not want a super competitive school environment.

We're coming from a top public school district (outside of TX), so I understand the benefits of living in HP or Southlake for the great public schools. My concern is large class sizes in middle school, too much focus on testing and "teaching to the test", and how much time and access kids have for PE, art, and non-academics.

I'd welcome any insight.

[cordata]

One of the first things folks here will ask is when are you moving ? If you are talking about fall 2018 then you have missed the application windows for all of the private schools.

[sunnyskies04]

We are not moving until next summer to start school in the fall of 2019. We'll be in town this summer and we'd like to visit schools.

[eastdallasmom]

Another relevant question is whether you are open to both religious and non-religious private schools? There are lots of private school options in Dallas, but you will have more limited choices if you only want a secular school option.

[sunnyskies04]

Great question! We do not want a religious school.

[keribeth818]

You might look into Charter schools if you don't want religious.

[ChristieP]

Another question: where will you be commuting to for work, and where are you looking to live? Most of the Dallas elite private schools are clustered in north Dallas, so if you want to live in Southlake, you will be looking at a very long drive through heavy traffic 2X a day to pick up and drop off at school.

If your kids are particularly gifted in theatre or art, you'd be smart to look at Booker T Washington in DISD for when they get into high school. It's the arts magnet school. https://www.dallasisd.org/bookert

[jennifw]

If you don't want a religious school, the list is a little shorter. The "big" private schools include:
Hockaday (all girls school) - very competitive to get in. Not sure if your children are girls or if the grades they are entering have more openings that just attrition. It's a very elite school.

St. Marks (all boys school) - despite the name, it is not religious. Incredibly competitive to get in and then (from my friend's experience) very competitive among the boys. Creates leaders and and incredible network of alumni

Greenhill (coed) - also very competitive to get in. A whole different vibe from Hockaday.

Alcuin School (coed) - offers the IB diploma program. Younger grades are Montessori. From what I understand, the upper school is very small (they just added the high school a few years ago)

Dallas International School - French Immersion. Might be difficult if you are not already fluent. Non-French speaking students can join in high school for the IB program but not in the grades you need.

There are others but those are the ones that pop in my head. Someone earlier mentioned Booker T Washington - the arts magnet for DISD. YOu might also look at the other magnets at Townview - Science Engineering and Math, Law, TAG. These are all high school options so you would have to figure out what to do in the meantime. The magnets are very competitive for entry.

Do you have a work location? That might help with your decisions. Southlake and HP are a good 40-60 minutes away from each other. The Dallas area privates are a good 45-60 minutes from Southlake. I am not sure where you are moving from but Dallas is huge. You don't want to live one place and set yourself up for a giant commute.

Good luck!

[TurtleCreek80]

The non-religious private schools are all going to be ultra competitive which you said you didn't want. While some of the religious schools are competitive and have high academic standards, many are more known for being more laid-back and well-rounded (smaller, so more kids can do more things). Prestonwood Baptist, Legacy Christian, and McKinney Christian are three that come to mind that meet your wish list except for the religious element.

[cordata]

Good responses so far. If you want a less competitive environment you might add a couple of Montessori schools - Westwood School and White Rock Montessori.



Also for a smaller environment you should check out Lakehill Prep.



Do at least consider Dallas ISD magnets and choice schools. There are some complexities in the process but there are some good options.


Charter schools are another option. If you have the means to buy in Southlake or the Park Cities you might look at buying in Westlake and look at Westlake school which is an excellent charter.