Hexter Elementary (Dallas, Allen, Forest Hill: houses, transfer, neighborhood)

[oldaggie2000]

Hello all,

We are looking in the Hexter Elementary zone due to the number of mid century modern houses there. I know it was recently ranked exempelary - but does anyone have anything else to add on Hexter? Where are the kids from Hexter going after 5th grade - Are they going public to Byran Adams or going private to Bishop Lynch? Also - Any thoughts on future appreciation in the area?

Thanks for any help!

[Lakewooder]

I understand some go on to Hill. There have been problems at Hill but as long as there is a critical mass of kids for upper-level classes, it is an option. I think Allen Gwinn, who runs Dallas.Org - Dallas News and Information (a school watchdog site) sends his kids to Hill. Also Tim Rogers, editor at D Magazine, has his kid at Hexter. He sometimes posts about the school on FrontBurner

[FarNorthDallas]

Bishop Lynch is a high school - 9th-12th grades.

[debtex]

Getting your kids into private schools for jr high isn't easy. Hexter is a good school but because of the jr high and high school, a lot of folks in that neighborhood start with the private schools right off the bat. St. John's & St. Bernard's are the most popular private schools in that neighborhood, St. Pat's and St. James are also good.

[Lakewooder]

Things could get better in five years - some people think areas around there will see a Lakewood-like price appreciation. I don't know that area as well or all the school dynamics. The fact that the Lake Highlands area to the north has some schools which are becoming more dominated by poor and/or minorities may put additional pressure on the privates schools extant.

I think exemplary Sanger also feeds into Hill - so maybe people returning to Hexter and Sanger will make a difference.

[billdfw]

DISD is nortoriously bad. Exceptions are few and there are only a handful of decent elementary schools (Stonewall Jackson, Lakewood, and a couple in Preston Hollow and that's about it).

I would guess most people who live over in Forest Hills send their kids to private school. The trouble with that area is that it goes downhill quick once you go east of the railroad tracks and north of Buckner.

As for appreciation, that is an awesome area that will go nothing but up.

[Macbeth2003]

I know a few parents at Hexter and they say it is an amazing school. There is also a larger waiting list of kids who go to lower performing schools, waiting to transfer in there. SHe expects the Middle School to be excellent in a couple of years, as the large number of parents in the area who have sent kids to, and supported, Hexter will be sending those same kids, and same involved parents, to Hill.

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by billdfw

DISD is nortoriously bad. Exceptions are few and there are only a handful of decent elementary schools (Stonewall Jackson, Lakewood, and a couple in Preston Hollow and that's about it).

Absolutely not accurate, have to disagree.

Luckily I have the facts on my side.

JAMES B BONHAM Exemplary
DEALEY MONTESSORI Exemplary
EVERETT L DEGOLYER Exemplary
JULIA C FRAZIER Exemplary
VICTOR H HEXTER Exemplary
STONEWALL JACKSON Exemplary
SIDNEY LANIER Exemplary
WILLIAM LIPSCOMB Exemplary (where I and at least one other city-data poster send our sons)
B H MACON Exemplary
BEN MILAM Exemplary
GEORGE PEABODY Exemplary
ALEX SANGER Exemplary
WILLIAM B TRAVIS Exemplary
WALNUT HILL Exemplary
J P STARKS Exemplary
HARRY STONE MONTESSORI Exemplary

I'd list the Recognized Elementary schools but I haven't got all day
Having said this how a district does isn't all that relevant. It will still have great and terrible schools.

[Lakewooder]

You can also have great and terrible kids in the same building, which is also hard for DISD detractors to understand (or do they even want to try to understand?).

The great kids are not being shortchanged if they have their own classes. In fact, they do better than the kids at most DFW private and suburban schools. Plus they will have better social skills and broader minds.

[FarNorthDallas]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

The great kids are not being shortchanged if they have their own classes.

Please explain how "great kids" get to have their own classes. Who determines what is a "great kid" and which ones meet the requirements and is their classroom called the Great Kids Class? Or are they called Neighborhood classes like they were at Preston Hollow or are they called AP classes like they are called in the high schools or are they called Dual Language like it's called in other schools or TAG like even other schools?