Help!!! Just moved to Dallas a month ago and I can't find good schools. (Richardson: renting, transfer to)

[Newtodallas0609]

I am new to Dallas and I have two kids. A third grader and a fifth grader. I am stressed out about finding good schools for them. The schools that they are "assigned" didn't receive good reviews. Any help I could receive would be appreciated. We live in the 75238 zip code.

[smuboy86]

Well you better move or go private then.

[ChristieP]

That's Lake Highlands. For DISD schools, those are pretty good. What do you see that concerns you?

[pepper131]

It should be Lake Highlands and Richardson schools. I thought many people liked the schools in that area. Talk to your neighbors; don't read the online reviews.

[TurtleCreek80]

What schools are you zoned to? 75238 is Richardson ISD, Lake Highlands schools. Most of the elementaries there are quite good and you're far enough south to be zoned to LHJH, not Forrest Meadow JH, which is a big positive.

If you're not satisfied with your assigned public school, your only option is private. RISD doesn't operate magnets and I'm not sure they do transfers, either. Privates will be quite difficult to get 2 kids into the same school with 5 weeks to go before classes start. You may call Highlander and Schofield. Both are in the LH area. There's also the expense..

[robmab]

I hope you're not relying on GreatSchools.com for your "online reviews" -- that site is WAY off in many (if not all) cases. You are much better off talking to other parents or scheduling a time to visit the school, meet the principal and/or observe a classroom.

At this late point, you are probably too late to be requesting a transfer to another school.

Out of curiosity, what school are they assigned? There are some pretty good schools in 75238.

[mcmom10]

Actually, RISD does have 3 magnet schools at the elementary level: Hamilton Park and MST (Math, Science, Technology) are closer to the Lake Highlands area; Arapaho Classical Magnet is on the western side of RISD. The application due date has passed months ago, but it does not hurt to ask the school district if there are any spots left. As far as I know, applications for transfer to magnets and other schools in RISD are accepted year-round, but granted based on openings at particular grade levels, reason for transfer etc. Regardless of what school your kids end up at, make sure to fill out the paperwork to have them tested for REACH (RISD's G&T program). Of course, I assume you are in RISD -if in DISD, that's a whole 'nother story.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by mcmom10

Actually, RISD does have 3 magnet schools at the elementary level: Hamilton Park and MST (Math, Science, Technology) are closer to the Lake Highlands area; Arapaho Classical Magnet is on the western side of RISD. The application due date has passed months ago, but it does not hurt to ask the school district if there are any spots left. As far as I know, applications for transfer to magnets and other schools in RISD are accepted year-round, but granted based on openings at particular grade levels, reason for transfer etc. Regardless of what school your kids end up at, make sure to fill out the paperwork to have them tested for REACH (RISD's G&T program). Of course, I assume you are in RISD -if in DISD, that's a whole 'nother story.

Thanks for setting me straight. I wasn't aware of them.

[Newtodallas0609]

Originally Posted by robmab

I hope you're not relying on GreatSchools.com for your "online reviews" -- that site is WAY off in many (if not all) cases. You are much better off talking to other parents or scheduling a time to visit the school, meet the principal and/or observe a classroom.

At this late point, you are probably too late to be requesting a transfer to another school.

Out of curiosity, what school are they assigned? There are some pretty good schools in 75238.

Yes that's actually what I was looking at greatschools.com. They are assigned to Robert t. Hill jh and Martha turner Reilly elementary.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Newtodallas0609

Yes that's actually what I was looking at greatschools.com. They are assigned to Robert t. Hill jh and Martha turner Reilly elementary.

Oh, you aren't in RISD/ Lake Highlands. Yes, you definitely are zoned to some rotten DISD schools. Hopefully you're just renting and you have the funds to go private this year. I'd be calling every single private school you can get your hands on.