Notes for applying for Fall 2024

If you want to see how many seats are available at Magnet schools: check out this document.

If you have a love of data and want to know more about school numbers: check out the reports cards from 2022.

The deadline to apply for the fall is Jan. 31, 2024.

There are two upcoming DISD learning sessions, which are both virtual and can be accessed via https://www.dallasisd.org/choosedallasisd:
Saturday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024

ABC OF EDUCATION JANUARY 2023

Talking education during the second year of a pandemic

We had hoped to gather in person this year since Kidd Springs offered its space for this important talk, but as the omicron variant of COVID-19 numbers continue to grow, we decided to move this conversation online. Here is a recording of our virtual gathering on Jan. 12, 2022.

Applying to schools for 2022-23 school year

We are so grateful to Casey Cox for updating the FAQ on Navigating DISD. This is rich with the specific details you want to know when applying for elementary schools. Click here if you want to download this document.

Research during a pandemic

For families entering school for the first time in the fall, it has been difficult to learn about the DISD application process and what types of programs DISD schools offer without having the ability to tour schools in person. On Jan. 14, 2020, Raising Oak Cliff offered a virtual meeting to talk about education for families entering schools in pre-k or kindergarten. Typically we would have hosted a fair for families to talk to parents representing a wide variety of schools, but, you know, the virus! So here is a video that is 1.5 hours long that tries to cover all of the bases.

Here are some sites that we talked about during the video that might help you make an informed decision:

• DISD is asking parents to start here when doing your research: https://www.dallasisd.org/choosedallasisd

• If you are interested in a specific program (dual language, Montessori, Personalized Learning) this site will help you narrow down the schools to consider: https://dallasisd.schoolmint.net/school-finder/home

• More information about the pre-k programs: https://www.dallasisd.org/prek

• A list of DISD pre-k schools: https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/74641

  • PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Btifpf64EOH70PChad4DafYUXrQPyFym/view

• This is site to submit your application (you can go in and make any changes to your application until Feb. 7): https://choose.dallasisd.org/login

Important tidbits for families new to schools:

• DISD has extended the deadline to apply for Choice, Magnet or Transfer schools to Feb. 7.

• Every year you need to enroll your child in school. I think this is something that most parents don’t know. So even if you are going to your neighborhood school, you need to tell them you are coming in the fall: https://www.dallasisd.org/enroll

• We live in District 7 for the Dallas school district: https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/52195

• Our DISD board representative is Ben Mackey: https://www.dallasisd.org/district7

Ratings from Texas Education Agency

navigating DISD Choice schools

Comparing schools

While doing her own research, Martha Guerrero created this very helpful document to help you decide which school is the best fit for your family.

School tour dates

Here is a document that lists all of the DISD open house dates. Fall Preview Nights are an opportunity for families to learn about all the opportunities offered in Dallas ISD schools.

https://www.dallasisd.org/fallpreview

7 Parent hacks on how to pick the right school

“The Uninformed Parent” was a podcast by Keri Mitchell of The Advocate. She gets insight from parents on what drove them to pick their school. Here are 7 tips that might help you make an informed decision.

1. Take a tour of every school you are interested in, plus home school

2. You can transfer to any DISD public school

3. Magnet (testing/interview process) versus Choice (lottery)

4. Don’t underestimate convenience; what works best for your family

5. Don’t judge an elementary based on its middle school

6. Get to know the numbers, and then look beyond the numbers
   (test scores, demographics). Other numbers to consider: teacher/
   student ratio, climate survey, how many field trips, how many
   specials/electives, turnover

7. Determine what you value most and what you are willing to
   compromise.

THE ABC’s of EDUCATION: 2019

Thanks to everyone that came out for The ABC’s of Education event on January 10, 2019, hosted by Raising Oak Cliff. A very big thank you goes to the neighborhood parents and owners of The Cliff House for letting us use the beautiful venue. Visit cliffhousetexas.com to learn more about the venue that is available for hosting events.

Speakers from the evening included:

• Stella Kastl – Dallas ISD Early Learning Office

• Ashley Lozano – Dallas ISD Office of Transformation and Innovation

• Lindsay Duncan – Rosemont Elementary School

• Kaitlin Snow – Hogg Elementary School

• Brenda Duarte – Reagan Elementary School

• Chris Goskie – Stevens Park Elementary School

• David Silva – Winnetka Elementary School

• Jessie Ralat – Sudie Williams (TAG)

• Laura Corkery – Harry Stone Montessori

• Kate Thacker – Dealey Montessori

• Ms. Shuman and Mrs. Delong – Sam Houston Personalized Learning Prep

• Wendy Coltrane – Hernandez Montessori

• Samantha Strong Murphey – Solar Prep for Girls

• April Allen – Solar Prep for Boys

• Leslee Mallinson – The Kessler School

• Kelly Byers – Tyler Street Christian Academy

• Audrey Pinkerton – Dallas ISD Trustee

Speakers were asked to provide context to their process for choosing a school and why they choose the specific one. The specific reasons varied a lot, but overall everyone chose their school because it was the best fit for their family and their child. Some folks chose their neighborhood school, others toured and applied to many, but overall every parent was happy with their choice and raved about the teachers, principals, extracurriculars, culture and more.

Below are some of the takeaways and news and notes that came out of the meeting.

• Dallas ISD’s Early Learning program is now at 12,500 students. And you can visit their website for plentiful information or text 214-932-7735 with your questions.

• Those interested in International Baccalaureate should visit ibo.org or texasibschools.org. An Oak Cliff elementary school may have an IB offering soon.

• Rosemont is no longer using a lottery system for the dual-language program. It will be first-come-first-serve, and you can apply now.

• Hogg is off the list of schools to possibly be closed. Peeler is still on that list.

• Reagan’s STEAM academy is in its first year, but already receiving positive feedback and the dedicated staff is looking to grow it.

• Sudie Williams is a brand new TAG school near Dallas Love Field and providing individualized attention.

• Laura Corkery provided a wealth of knowledge about the Montessori schools and how the application process works. Grades are combined (PK-K and 1-3) so space is more limited.

• There are buses from Oak Cliff available to some of the outlying Montessori, magnet and transformation schools. Check specifics with DISD.

• The Solar Prep schools are 50/50 – meaning the school strives for half of the student body to be soci-economically diverse. They also have longer school days at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• The Kessler School is non-denominational and focuses on character building and servant leadership. Kessler is also introducing middle school soon.

• Financial aid is available to Kessler and Tyler Street private schools.

• Audrey Pinkerton reported that of the 31 schools represented in her district, around 90% have an A or B rating.

Overall, I think Jessie Ralat summed up the event really well saying that no matter what school you pick, because of the fact you’re engaging in discussion about the choice shows that your child already has a leg up going into elementary school.

Thank you to everyone that attended. If you have specific questions about schools and want to reach out further, email event organizer Amanda Reiter at secretaryroc@gmail.com and she can put you in touch with any of the speakers.

Details on Choice School selection Process

I stumbled upon this FAQ document on the Choice School Selection Process from the Office of Transformation and Innovation and have found it very useful.

For instance: What are Transformation Schools?

Transformation schools have four core components:

• Every student participates in the model in its entirety (i.e., Montessori, STEAM etc.)

• The choice model is based on national best practices

• Open enrollment districtwide (with some seats open to out of district students)

• No academic or parental entry requirements