Booker T Washington HS (Dallas, Howe: fit in, apartment, lease)

[Runner2000]

Does anyone have recent (sometime in the last 2 years) information about Booker T Washington high school? Putting admission aside - what is the caliber of the teachers? Is the school well run? Effective administration? Is it academically rigorous? Are the students academically inclined or more focused on their other talents? How is it socially/student behavior/partying?

[RonnieinDallas]

I don’t know any recent graduates but the the people I’ve met who went there were heavily focused on their talents and have gone on to have careers related to that. It’s very strict, I’ve met someone who was expelled from the school. They do reality television and advertising.

[TeamLynn]

I don't know anything about the internal workings of the school, but from what I have seen over 20-30 years is that if you have talent and you want to develop that talent....and be around some of the top talent in the country, it's probably one of the best schools in the country. I remember one kid I met who's parents told me he just never fit in other schools and they couldn't understand why.... this is a school where those kids tend to thrive as they do fit in and are celebrated.

Making a business and career out of talent is very very tough...probably like NFL tough....1 in 10,000 make it big....but there are many success examples....Erykah Badu and Norah Jones and Roy Hargrove come to mind...Edie Brickell (married Paul Simon)...and I'm sure many many others....

Go hang out at some performances or even just in the neighborhood when kids are around....and that may help you figure out if your kid would do well in the school.

[texstout]

I know many kids there that are very happy and had previously been at TAG or private schools. Their mock trial team won state last year and top 10 in Nation. Those kids aren't just focused on their talent, but also focused academically.


Its not for everyone and I have a pet peeve that kids can only go into one art academy - so for example if they are into theater and music, they have to pick only one.

[75214Dad]

Do you live in DISD or are you going to pretend to live in a 1 bedroom uptown apartment with 25 other families?

[NTXPerson]

It’s incredibly rigorous academically and talent wise. For example, in 2017, only 12 men in the nation were accepted into Julliard’s dance program. Five came from Booker T.

I do want to note that Booker T is for students who live within DISD boundaries. It is very much looked down upon to live outside the district, but lie on the application. I’m not sure if this was followed through, but the school was cracking down on those who were lying about where they lived. However, the school will look at out-of-district applicants once all qualified DISD students have been chosen. The message below is from the DISD website.

Dallas ISD Policy EHBJ (LOCAL): For each magnet program, all qualified in-district students shall be served before any out-of-district student may gain admission into that magnet program. Proof of residence must be submitted each year.

Falsifying information on the Magnet application will invalidate the application, and the student's application will be excluded from the selection process. The Dallas Independent School District reserves the right to change a student's enrollment status, placement and/or programming upon receipt of additional information.

[Runner2000]

Thank you all for your responses. We are zoned for DISD and are considering taking our child out of private school for Booker T if he were to get in. We have no issues with our current school, so I am trying to determine whether pulling him out would be the right choice (I know getting in is a long shot). We have applied and the audition is soon. I know several BTW graduates but not any current students so I am trying to figure out some details as to what it is like to be a student there now. We have gone to the open house, tour, workshops, shows, etc. and came out with positive views.

[75214Dad]

If offered admission he should take it. BTW college placements are equal to or better than every private school in DFW. It’s a great education along with a ton of resources for the arts.

[platon20]

What happens if I put a Dallas county post office box as my address? They gonna check it? LOL

[Runner2000]

The application requires you to attach a copy of a current lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill. Sadly, some people are not honest about those documents. At one of the meetings they said that the district is going to be double checking residence for all qualified students who did not attend a DISD middle school.