Lakewood private schools (Dallas, Plano, St. Jo: 2014, house, best school)

[Irish001]

Local help needed! We are due to move into a house in Lakewood drive by Xmas at the latest and have and 8 year old son to place in a local school. To date he has attended a private british international schools as we lived in Singapore. Looking at the two local options I see St. John's and lake hill. Both receive strong negative comments on forums. The first regarding the number of children with special needs and therefore opportunity for others to develop, the second around bullying. Are there any views on this and any other private alternatives that don't require a long drive?

Thanks!

[Considering Coming Back]

The east Dallas privates are all white flight academies established during desegregation- they aren't worth your money. Go north Dallas privates or stay public.

[pepper131]

I'm not sure what the process is for gaining private school admission once the year has already started. Schools already have their 2013-2014 selections.
I don't have personal experience at either school mentioned, but I do know from looking at public schools, you hear/read bad things all the time. You really have to look at the schools with your own eyes to get the full picture.
And do consider your public school when you move; it might be a great option while you get settled and can tour some private schools.
There are some Montessori options - Lakewood and White Rock.
I'm assuming you aren't interested in religious private schools such as St Thomas or St Pats.

[Lakewooder]

Lakewood Elementary is the best school in Dallas, why would you want to pay for private schools?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by Considering Coming Back

The east Dallas privates are all white flight academies established during desegregation- they aren't worth your money. Go north Dallas privates or stay public.

Consider deleting this post as it's just wrong in multiple ways.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

Lakewood Elementary is the best school in Dallas, why would you want to pay for private schools?

Wow.

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by EDS_

Wow.

I think they meant best rated public elementary school in DISD, though I'm not sure how accurate even that statement is.

http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/201...e-for-success/

[Ramona72]

Originally Posted by bencronin04

I think they meant best rated public elementary school in DISD, though I'm not sure how accurate even that statement is.

24 DISD Elementary Schools Recognized by State for Success | FrontBurner

That list recognizes Title 1 schools who are doing very well despite a high concentration of low-income families. Lakewood has a very low percentage of free and reduced lunch kids and it is an exemplary campus with extensive parental involvement. It is large and may not be for everyone, but people move to Lakewood specifically for the elementary. I'm not sure why someone would automatically consider private first.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by Ramona72

That list recognizes Title 1 schools who are doing very well despite a high concentration of low-income families. Lakewood has a very low percentage of free and reduced lunch kids and it is an exemplary campus with extensive parental involvement. It is large and may not be for everyone, but people move to Lakewood specifically for the elementary. I'm not sure why someone would automatically consider private first.

Because the best privates are better and a lot better is why. Will you even for a moment argue that Lakewood E is a better school than say Prince of Peace (catholic) in Plano?

I can't tell you how many parents and kids I know from Lakewood who go to/pay for BL, UA, Jesuit, Greenhill, ESD, St. Marks, Hockaday etc.

[Considering Coming Back]

EDS, I think you need to reread the OPs question. OP is moving to Lakewood Blvd with an 8 year old. OP is wanting to know about Lakehill and St. John's.

Lakewood Elementry is, at worst, on par with those schools. We aren't talking about Mata against Hockaday.