Preschools (Dallas, Plano, Temple: neighborhood, living in, moving to)

[alwaysasking]

We are moving to the Dallas area (still not sure if fresco, Plano or where haha) in September, we have three boys ranging in ages (4-1) and we hope for all of them to go to St. Marks. I've read about the feeder preschools but we are on the wait list for two of them. I've also read that you can get into St. Marks without having gone to those feeder schools.

My question what preschools would y'all recommend for my 4 yr old and 2 yr old? My 4yr old is super social and loves to learn, my 2 yr old is a bit more shy but also loves to learn. I want them to go to a great school where they will learn and have fun, but also learn a lot haha. Any recommendations would be amazing!

[texstout]

Why would you be looking to live in Plano or especially Frisco if you want to aim for St Marks? Most (but of course not all) St Marks families are Dallas-proper. Most people who live in Plano or Frisco move there for the schools.

Any 'feeder' pre-school (like Lamplighter) will be in Dallas proper. St Marks is VERY hard to get into, but is an excellent school.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by alwaysasking

We are moving to the Dallas area (still not sure if fresco, Plano or where haha) in September, we have three boys ranging in ages (4-1) and we hope for all of them to go to St. Marks. I've read about the feeder preschools but we are on the wait list for two of them. I've also read that you can get into St. Marks without having gone to those feeder schools.

My question what preschools would y'all recommend for my 4 yr old and 2 yr old? My 4yr old is super social and loves to learn, my 2 yr old is a bit more shy but also loves to learn. I want them to go to a great school where they will learn and have fun, but also learn a lot haha. Any recommendations would be amazing!

Just making sure since you’ll be new to the area....the St Marks school in Plano is a Catholic day school. St Marks School of Texas is in the Preston Hollow neighborhood in north central Dallas. Two VERY different schools.

Were you thinking about living in Plano/Frisco to be closer to St Marks? Or to have good public schools
As a backup for private schools?

St Marks accepts about 15% of their applicants and many boys have to apply more than once to gain admission. It starts in 1st grade after all other privates have concluded their big elementary school expansion years so it’s not a smart strategy to put all of one’s “eggs” in the St Marks basket.

Strong feeder schools include Meadowbrook, Alcuin, DaVinci, Lamplighter, Temple Emanu-El though I’m sure there are boys from many other preschools & elementaries as well.