Anna Schools (Dallas, McKinney, Howe: new house, transfer, school districts)

[robinhood]

Can anyone tell me what they know about the Anna school district? My sister is looking for a place near Anna or Melissa for her kids to enroll next year. Any information would be helpful. She can't decide whether to send them into McKinney for school or place them in a smaller school nearby. Thanks

[GayleTX]

Anna has grown too fast and they are having growing pains in their school. They have built some new facilities, but the academics/faculty haven't caught up yet. They had a big shake-up at the end of this school year so there will be some new people in key positions next fall....maybe things will start to come together. Until a couple of years ago it was an all-white rural school; demographics have changed a lot and there are a lot of 'social adjustments' to be made yet.

[sonshinelife]

I'm not sure if she lives in Anna that she can send her children to McKinney schools. Usually the only way you can cross districts is if you are considered homeless. Just a thought.

[robinhood]

I hadn't thought about that. I guess I assumed it was easy to transfer into the McKinney school district. Well I checked out the Anna Elementary on GreatSchools.net, and they didn't have a good rating. Their academic rating was low and their parent rating was only average. Melissa, however had a higher academic rating. Maybe she could look into that school if they are allowing transfers at this time.

[GayleTX]

You would need to apply for a transfer ASAP to the district you wish to transfer into.....and have a good reason!

[FarNorthDallas]

I thought the only way to transfer school districts was (1) if the district allowed it and then (2) if a parent worked in that district and/or (3) you paid out of district tuition.

[rantanamo]

In 10 years when Anna and Melissa have 100,000 people living in new houses, everyone will think the schools are great. Its usually just a perception thing, and test score success usually follows how successful the parents are. So I really wouldn't worry that much.

[sonshinelife]

I have to agree with rantanamo to some degree.

also, after thinking about it... I do recall a few years back a friend paying out of district tuition for her child to attend school in a North Dallas School. I think this is indeed another route to go for some. However, this was done about 6 years ago and it may not still be allowed. It be interesting to know for sure.

[robinhood]

Wow, this must be a metroplex thing. My own children are transfers in their school at no cost and I would say 40% of their classes are transfers as well. They go to school in a very small town with a population of under 800, but the school is so good that I wanted my kids there even if we don't live there. Unfortuneately our school isn't an option for my sister, because of residence and route to work. So do you guys think we shouldn't put as much stock into the info from GreatSchools.net? I am a teacher myself, but I'm unaware of any of the things going on in the schools around the Dallas suburbs, thats why my sister asked for my help. Thank you everyone for your information!

[FarNorthDallas]

This was on Melissa ISD's website.

Melissa ISD - TASB Policy On Line