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A Comprehensive Review of the Public School Systems around Dallas, Texas

When planning to build a custom home in Dallas, one of the biggest things to consider is the quality of the local schools. In fact, if you have minor children, finding a neighborhood with good schools may be your TOP priority.

But because there are over 350 public elementary, middle, and high schools in the Dallas area, finding just the right neighborhood with just the right schools can seem overwhelming. Even worse, the Fair Housing Act prohibits realtors from directly informing buyers about specific schools in specific neighborhoods.

To make this task a bit less daunting, we have put together this guide that gives you the information you need to know, both as a parent and as a potential builder and homeowner.

NOTE: We have tried to be as comprehensive as possible, but there is no substitute for seeing a school with your own eyes. Please use this guide as a tool to help you narrow down your choices, and then schedule in-person school tours before making your final decision.  

Schools Matter More Than You Might Think

It’s common knowledge that buyers are often willing to pay a premium for a home in a strong school district.

~ Javier Vivas, Research Analyst, Realtor.com

Realtor.com says that neighborhood schools matter when choosing where to live even if you do not have children. This is because homes located in good school districts hold their value better than those in neighborhoods with less-highly-regarded schools.

For example, in 2016, a Realtor.com analysis compared home prices in school districts with ratings of 9 or 10 on GreatSchools.org with those in districts with a rating of 6 or less. Nationwide, the homes in higher-ranked school districts were 77% more expensive than those in lower-ranked districts.

If you decide to build your home in a highly-ranked school district in the DFW area, other benefits include:

  • Should you ever decide to sell, properties in higher-ranked school districts are viewed 42% more than homes in below-average districts.
  • On average, they also sell 8 days faster.

Specific to the local area, that same analysis found that home prices in the Highland Park Independent School District are 632% higher than elsewhere in Dallas County. As of this writing, 3 schools in Highland Park ISD have a 10 rating, 1 has a 9, and another has an 8 rating.

According to U.S. News and World Reports, 12 schools in the Dallas Metro are ranked in the top 1% of high schools in the country.

Dallas Schools Serve a Diverse Community

In Dallas County, there are 16 different school districts. We will examine each in greater detail.

  • Dallas
  • Carrollton-Farmers Branch
  • Cedar Hill
  • Coppell
  • De Soto
  • Duncanville
  • Ferris
  • Garland
  • Grand Prairie
  • Grapevine-Colleyville
  • Highland Park
  • Irving
  • Lancaster
  • Mesquite
  • Richardson
  • Sunnyvale 

NOTE: Although we have tried to be as comprehensive as possible, if a particular school does not have a rating on GreatSchools.com, we did not include it here. Also, because they are not rated, we did not include preschools,

Dallas Independent School District

9400 N. Central Expressway

Dallas, TX 75231

(972) 925-3700

Overall District Grade: (B) 86/100

Dallas ISD serves 154,000 students in 230 schools and over 384 square miles, encompassing the North Texas cities of:

  • Wilmer
  • University Park
  • Wilmer
  • Mesquite
  • Lancaster
  • Hutchins
  • Highland Park
  • Grand Prairie
  • Garland
  • Farmers Branch
  • Duncanville
  • DeSoto
  • Combine
  • Cedar Hill
  • Carrollton
  • Batch Springs
  • Addison
  • Cockrell Hill
  • Dallas

Dallas ISD is the second-largest school district in Texas and the 16th-largest in the United States. District-wide, the four-year graduation rate is 87%.

The property tax rate for Dallas ISD is $1.310385 per $100 in valuation.

To locate your neighborhood school, simply enter your address into the Dallas ISD School Finder. For each school, we provide a snapshot below. Unless otherwise noted, schools are within Dallas City Limits.

Superior Schools (10 or 9 ratings on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

Central (Seagoville)

Lakewood

Mockingbird

School for the Talented and Gifted at Pleasant Grove

William B. Travis Vanguard Academy for the Academically Talented and Gifted

Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy

Middle Schools

Dallas Environmental Science Academy

Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy

Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy

Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School

William B. Travis Vanguard Academy for the Academically Talented and Gifted

High Schools

Trinidad Garza Early College High School at Mountain View

Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Early College High School at El Centro College

Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy

Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School

Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet

School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center

School of Business and Management

School of Health Professions

School of Science and Engineering

Rosie M. Collins Sorrells School of Education and Social Services

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Nathan Adams

Felix G. Botello

Jimmy Tyler Brashear

Casa View

Everette Lee DeGolyer

L. O. Donald

Julius Dorsey

Paul L. Dunbar

Anne Frank

Charles A. Gill

Tom C. Gooch

Nathanial Hawthorne

Margaret B. Henderson

Victor H. Hexter

L. L. Hotchkiss

Louise Wolffe Kahn

Jack Lowe Sr.

John J. Pershing

Arturo Salazar

J. P. Starks

Harry Stone Montessori Academy

Winnetka

Harry C. Withers

Middle Schools

W. E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy

D. A. Hulcy STEAM

Raul Quintanilla Sr.

Harry Stone Montessori Academy

Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Batch Springs

High Schools

Kathryn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

John Q. Adams

Gabe P. Allen Charter School

William Anderson

Arcadia Park

Bayles

Mary McLeod Bethune

William A. Blair

Annie Webb Blanton

James Bowie

Harrell Budd

David G. Burnet

George Herbert Walker Bush (Addison)

W. W. Bushman

F.P. Caillet

Adelfa Botello Callejo

C.F. Carr

Chapel Hill Preparatory School

Cesar Chavez

Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa, M.D.

Leila P. Cowart

Gilbert Cuellar Sr.

J. N. Ervin

Geneva Heights

Henry B. Gonzalez

Lenore Kirk Hall

Ebby Halliday

Highland Meadows

James S. Hogg

John Ireland

Anson Jones

Barbara Jordan

Jerry R. Junkins (Carrollton)

Edwin J. Kiest

Obadiah Knight

Arthur Kramer

Umphrey Lee

William Lipscomb

Herbert Marcus

Thomas L. Marsalis

Eduardo Mata

Jose “Joe” May

Ronald E. McNair

Esperanza “Hope” Medrano

Ben Milam

William B. Miller

Maria Moreno

Nancy Moseley

Mount Auburn STEAM Academy

Clara Oliver

George Peabody

Personalized Learning Preparatory at Sam Houston

Pleasant Grove

Preston Hollow

John H. Reagan

Martha Turner Reilly

Reinhardt

Joseph J. Rhoads

Charles Rice Learning Center

Thelma Elizabeth Page Richardson

Dan D. Rogers

Rosemont

Edna Rowe

John W. Runyon

Julian T. Saldivar

Alex Sanger Preparatory School

Ascher Silberstein

Larry G. Smith

Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr.

Leslie A Stemmons

C. A. Tatum Jr.

T. G. Terry

R. L. Thornton

Edward Titche

Thomas Tolbert

Adelle Turner

Urban Park

Walnut Hill

Martin Weiss

Ignacio Zaragoza

Middle Schools

Benjamin Franklin International Exploratory Academy

Hector P. Garcia

W.H. Gaston

Oliver W. Holmes Humanities/Communications Academy

Ignite

Harold Wendell Lang Sr.

J. L. Long

Ann Richards STEAM Academy

Rosemont

Thomas J. Rusk

Alex W. Spence Talented/Gifted Academy

High Schools

City Lab

New Tech High School at B.F. Darrell

Woodrow Wilson

Below Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

Birdie Alexander

John Neely Bryan

John W. Carpenter

S. S. Conner

Lorenzo de Zavala

Stephen C. Foster

Frank Guzick

Lida Hooe

Kleberg

Richard Lagow

Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard

B. H. Macon

Maple Lawn

Eladio R. Martinez Learning Center

Lee A. McShan Jr.

Elisha M. Pease

John F. Peeler

K. B. Polk Center for Academically Talented and Gifted

Oran M. Roberts

Clinton P. Russell

San Jacinto

Seagoville (Seagoville)

Seagoville North (Seagoville)

Stevens Park 

Jill Stone

George W. Truett

Daniel Webster

Whitney M. Young Jr.

Middle Schools

William Hawley Atwell Law Academy

T.W. Browne

Edward H. Cary

Robert T. Hill

Zan Wesley Holmes Jr.

Kennedy-Curry

Thomas C. Marsh

Francisco “Pancho” Medrano

Piedmont G.L.O.B.A.L. Academy

Seagoville (Seagoville)

L. V. Stockard

Boude Storey

Sam Tasby

E. D. Walker

Young Men’s Leadership Academy at Fred F. Florence

Sarah Zumwalt

High Schools

Bryan Adams

W. H. Adamson

David W. Carter

Emmett J. Conrad

Hillcrest

Innovation Design Entrepreneurship Academy at James W. Fannin

Thomas Jefferson

Justin F. Kimball

James Madison

Moises E. Molina

North Dallas

W. W. Samuell

Seagoville (Seagoville)

Skyline

South Oak Cliff

H. Grady Spruce

Sunset

W. T. White

Poor (2 or 1)

Elementaries

Rufus C. Burleson

Cedar Crest

Nancy J. Cochran

Frederick Douglass

H. I. Holland

Wilmer-Hutchins

Middle Schools

E.B. Comstock

Billy Earl Dade

High Schools

Lincoln Humanities/Communications Magnet

John Leslie Patton Jr. Academic Center

L. G. Pinkston

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Wilmer-Hutchins

Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District

1445 North Perry Road

Carrollton, TX 75006

(972) 968-6100

Overall District Grade: (B) 89/100

The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District covers over 53 square miles and provides educational services to students who live in parts of not just Carrollton and Farmers Branch, but also Addison, Coppell, Dallas, and Irving. Unlike most other districts, CFBISD offers ‘Limited Open Enrollment’, which allows students who live outside the district’s boundaries to attend nonetheless. 

The 38 school campuses in the CFBISD serve more than 25,500 students. District-wide, the four-year graduation rate is nearly 95%, and over 10% of students are identified as “gifted and talented”.

The property tax rate for CFBISD is $1.2547 per $100 of valuation.

Superior Schools (10 or 9 ratings on GreatSchools.org)

Elementary

McCoy (Carrollton)

High School

Early College High School (Farmers Branch)

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Country Place (Carrollton)

Dale B. Davis (Carrollton)

Farmers Branch (Farmers Branch)

R. E. Good (Carrollton)

E.L. Kent (Carrollton)

Las Colinas (Irving)

Annie Heads Rainwater (Carrollton)

Rosemeade (Carrollton)

Janie Stark (Farmers Branch)

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Dave Blair (Farmers Branch)

Blanton (Carrollton)

Bernice Chapman Freeman (Irving)

Furneaux (Carrollton)

Tom Landry (Irving)

La Villita (Irving)

McLaughlin Strickland (Farmers Branch)

Kathryn S. McWhorter (Dallas)

June R. Thompson (Carrollton)

Middle Schools

Charles M. Blalack (Carrollton)

DeWitt Perry (Carrollton)

Ted Polk (Carrollton)

High Schools

Creekview (Carrollton)

Newman Smith (Carrollton)

R. L. Turner (Carrollton)

Ranchview (Irving)

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

Carrollton (Carrollton)

Central (Carrollton)

Charlie McKamy (Dallas)

Riverchase (Coppell)

Middle Schools

Barbara Bush (Irving)

Vivian Field (Farmers Branch)

Dan F. Long (Dallas)

Poor (2 or 1)

Elementary

Sheffield (Dallas)

Cedar Hill Independent School District

285 Uptown Boulevard

Building 300

Cedar Hill, TX 75104

(972) 291-1581

Overall District Grade: (B) 81/100

The Cedar Hill Independent School District covers 36 square miles and provides instructional services to children living in most of Cedar Hill, as well as parts of Dallas, Duncanville, Ovilla, and Grand Prairie.

The 11 school campuses in the CHISD serve more than 7,600 students. District-wide, the four-year graduation rate is an impressive 100%.

To locate your school, use the Cedar Hill ISD School Zone Finder.

The property tax rate for CHISD is $1.2833 per $100 of valuation.

Superior Schools (10 or 9 ratings on GreatSchools.org)

Middle School

Cedar Hill Collegiate Academy

High School

Cedar Hill Collegiate High School

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementary

Collegiate Prep

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Bray

Highlands

Lake Ridge

Plummer

Middle School

Besie Coleman

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementary

Waterford Oaks

Middle School

Permenter

Poor (2 or 1)

Elementary

High Pointe

Coppell Independent School District

200 S. Denton Tap Road

Coppell, TX 75019

(214) 496-6000

Overall District Grade: (A) 95/100

Coppell is conveniently located about 5 miles north of DFW airport, west of I-35E and north of I-635.

The Coppell Independent School District covers over 23 square miles and has a total enrollment of more than 13,000 students. CISD includes most of Coppell and parts of Lewisville, Dallas, Grapevine, Irving, and the Valley Ranch development. To best serve these communities, there are 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools, and a 9th-grade campus.

The numbers show that CSID is a premium school system in the State of Texas:

  • 80% of all students perform at or above grade level in all subjects.
  • The State average is just 50%
  • 54% of students master their grade level.
  • The State average is only 24%.
  • The mean SAT score of CISD students is 1288.
  • The Statewide mean SAT score is 1036.
  • The average ACT score of CISD students is 25.5.
  • The Statewide average is 20.6.
  • 64% of CISD teachers have 6 or more years of experience.

The property tax rate for CISD is $1.2834 per $100 of valuation.

Superior Schools (10 or 9 ratings on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

Canyon Ranch (Valley Ranch)

Denton Creek (Coppell)

Lakeside (Coppell)

Richard J. Lee (Dallas)

Mockingbird (Coppell)

Town Center (Coppell)

Valley Ranch (Valley Ranch)

Middle Schools

Coppell Middle School East (Coppell)

Coppell Middle School North (Coppell)

Coppell Middle School West (Coppell)

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Austin (Coppell)

Cottonwood Creek (Coppell)

Pinkerton (Coppell)

High Schools

Coppell 9th-Grade Campus (Coppell)

Coppell High School (Coppell)

New Tech High School (Coppell)

Average (6 or 5)

Elementary

Wilson (Coppell)

DeSoto Independent School District

200 East Belt Line Road

DeSoto, TX 75115

(972) 223-6666

Overall District Grade: (C) 79/100

DeSoto Independent School District is located approximately 15 miles south of Dallas. DISD covers over 23 square miles and has a total enrollment of more than 8,700 students. DISD includes most of DeSoto, along with portions of Cedar Hill, Ovilla, and Glenn Heights.

The property tax rate for DISD is $1.49 per $100 of valuation.

Average Schools (6 or 5 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

Frank D. Moates (Glenn Heights)

Ruby Young (DeSoto)

The Meadows (DeSoto)

Middle School

Christine S. McCowan (Glenn Heights)

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

Cockrell Hill (DeSoto)

Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy (DeSoto)

Woodridge (DeSoto)

Middle Schools

DeSoto East Middle (DeSoto)

DeSoto West Middle (DeSoto)

High School

DeSoto High School (DeSoto)

Duncanville Independent School District

710 Cedar Ridge Drive

Duncanville, TX 75137

(972) 708-2000

Overall District Grade: (B) 84/100 

Duncanville Independent School District is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Dallas, along Interstate 20 and State Highway 67. DISD serves all of Duncanville and portions of Cedar Hill, Dallas, and DeSoto. The total enrollment is more than 12,800 students.

Responsible for the education of these students are 803 teachers and 139 aides. Almost 60% of teachers have 6 or more years of experience.

The property tax rate for DISD is $1.3676 per $100 of valuation.

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementary

Charles Acton (Dallas)

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Central (Duncanville)

Fairmeadows (Duncanville)

Glenn C. Hardin (Duncanville)

William Lee Hastings (Duncanville)

Merrifield (Duncan)

Clint Q. Smith (Duncanville)

Middle Schools

William H. Byrd (Duncanville)

G. W. Kennemer (Dallas)

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

S. Gus Alexander Jr. (Duncanville)

James R. Bilhartz (Dallas)

Grace R. Brandenburg (Duncanville)

H. Bob Daniel Sr. (Duncanville)

C. J. and Anne Hyman (Dallas)

Middle School

J. Herman Reed (Duncanville)

High School

Duncanville High School

Poor (2 or 1)

High School

Mary E. Smithey PACE (Duncanville)

Ferris Independent School District

301 East 5th Street

Ferris, TX 75125

(972) 544-3858

Overall District Grade: (B) 83/100

Located 20 miles south of Dallas, Ferris Independent School District educates approximately 2700 students across five campuses, all located in Ferris. FISD serves the City of Ferris, Bristol, Trumbull, and parts of Southern Dallas County.

The property tax rate for FISD is $1.355 for every $100 in valuation.

Average (6 or 5 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementary

Lee Longino

High School

Ferris High School

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementary

Lucy Mae McDonald

Middle School

Ferris Junior High

Garland Independent School District

501 South Jupiter

Garland, TX 75042

(972) 494-8201

Overall District Grade: (B) 88/100

Encompassing 100 square miles and with a total enrollment of nearly 56,000 students, Garland Independent School District is the second-largest school district in Dallas County and the 15th-largest in the State of Texas. Extending northeast from the Dallas city limits to past the county line, GISD serves the communities of Garland, Sachse, and Rowlett, as well as portions of Wylie and Dallas.

Unlike most other districts, GISD has no attendance zone, meaning families can choose their campus. 98% of students are granted their first school of choice. All schools are located in Garland, except where otherwise noted.

GISD has a stellar 92% graduation rate, and college preparation is facilitated by free AP, PSAT, and SAT exams.

The property tax rate for GISD is $1.3463 per $100 of valuation. 

Superior Schools (10 or 9 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

Kimberlin Academy for Excellence

Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

John W. Armstrong (Sachse)

Austin Academy for Excellence

Back (Rowlett)

Beaver Technology Center

Classical Center at Vial Elementary

Ethridge

Handley

Hillside Academy for Excellence

Keeley (Rowlett)

Luna

Roach

Robert B. Sewell (Sachse)

Spring Creek

Watson Technology Center for Math and Science

Middle Schools

Austin Academy for Excellence

Classical Center at Brandenburg Middle School

B.G. Hudson (Sachse)

Jackson Technology Center for Math and Science

Lyles

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Abbett

Bullock

Cooper

Daugherty

Davis

Norma Dorsey (Rowlett)

Freeman

Giddens-Steadham (Rowlett)

Heather Glen

Herfurth (Rowlett)

Liberty Grove (Rowlett)

Vernal Lister

Northlake

Park Crest

Nita Pearson (Rowlett)

Rowlett (Rowlett)

Shorehaven

Shugart

Katherine Stephens (Rowlett)

Williams

Middle Schools

Coyle (Rowlett)

Sam Houston

Vernon Schrade (Rowlett)

Sellers

Webb

High Schools

Garland High School

Lakeview Centennial

North Garland

Rowlett High School (Rowlett)

Sachse High School (Sachse)

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

Bradfield

Caldwell

George Washington Carver

Centerville

Club Hill

Glen Couch

Golden Meadows

Montclair

Southgate

Toler

Weaver

Middle Schools

Bussey

O’Bannion

High Schools

Naaman Forest

South Garland

Grand Prairie Independent School District

2602 South Belt Line Road

Grand Prairie, TX 75052

(972) 237-4000

Overall District Grade: (B) 84/100

Located on the border between Dallas and Tarrant Counties, Grand Prairie Independent School District serves a 58 square mile area and educates over 29,000 students.

The property tax rate for GPISD is $1.5097 per $100 of valuation.

Superior Schools (10 or 9 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

Colin Powell

Hobbs Williams

School for the Highly-Gifted

Middle Schools

Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute

Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy

School for the Highly-Gifted

High Schools

Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute

Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Stephen F. Austin Environmental Science Academy

Lorenzo De Zavala Environmental Science Academy

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Garner Fine Arts Academy

William B. Travis World Language Academy

Middle Schools

Ronald Reagan

William B. Travis World Language Academy

High School

John A. Dubiski Career High School

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Global Leadership Academy at Barbara Bush Elementary

Delmas Morton

Suzanna Dickinson

Florence Hill

Hector P. Garcia

Thurgood Marshall Leadership Academy

Sally R. Moore College and Career Preparatory

Mike Moseley

Ellen Ochoa STEM Academy at Ben Milam Elementary

Sam Rayburn Elementary STEAM Academy

Juan N. Seguin

Uplift Morton Preparatory

Ervin C. Whitt Fine Arts Academy

Middle Schools

Digital Art and Technology Academy at Adams Middle School

Andrew Jackson

Sally R. Moore College and Career Preparatory

Harry S Truman

Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Bill Arnold

High Schools

South Grand Prairie

Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Bill Arnold

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

James Bowie Fine Arts Academy

David Daniels Elementary Academy of Science and Math

Middle Schools

Jame Fannin

Young Men’s Leadership Academy at Kennedy Middle School

High School

Grand Prairie High School

Poor (2 or 1)

High School

Crosswinds Accelerated High School

Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District

3051 Ira E. Woods Avenue

Grapevine, TX 76051

(871) 251-5200

Overall District Grade: (A) 92/100

Located 23 miles northwest of Dallas, the Grape-vine-Colleyville Independent School District serves not only the cities of Grapevine and Colleyville, but also small portions of Southlake, Hurst, and Euless. GCISD has 17 traditional campuses to provide for the educational needs of nearly 14,000 students.

The graduation rate is over 97%, thanks in large part to the exceptional staff. Over a third of the teachers in GCISD hold advanced degrees, and they have an average of 12 years of experience.

The property tax rate in GCISD is $1.3031.

Superior Schools (10 or 9 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

Bransford (Colleyville)

Glenhope (Colleyville)

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Cannon (Grapevine)

Colleyville (Colleyville)

Dove (Grapevine)

Grapevine (Grapevine)

Heritage (Grapevine)

O. C. Taylor (Colleyville)

Middle Schools

Colleyville (Colleyville)

Cross Timbers (Grapevine)

Heritage (Colleyville)

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Bear Creek (Euless)

Silver Lake (Grapevine)

Timberline (Grapevine)

Middle School

Grapevine (Grapevine)

High Schools

Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville)

Grapevine (Grapevine)

Highland Park Independent School District

7015 Westchester Drive

Dallas, TX 75205

(214) 780-3000

Overall District Grade: (A) 97/100

Encompassing just 6 square miles,Highland Park Independent School District serves the “Park Cities” of Highland Park and University Park, as well as two small portions of Dallas, and has a total enrollment of nearly 7000 students.

For years, HPISD has been one of the top school systems in America.

  • 97% of graduates attend college.
  • During the 2019-2020 academic year, high school students in the district had a composite score of 27.3 on the ACT, more than 7 points above the State average.
  • The SAT composite score was 1281, exceeding both the State and National averages by over 200 points.
  • 13 students were named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.
  • 47 were recognized as National AP Scholars.
  • 576 won Advanced Placement Scholar Awards,

Besides academics, HPISD sports teams have won 123 State titles. In fact, the Highland Park Scots are the winningest football team in Texas history, with over 800 wins and 6 State championships.

Finally, HPISD helps build strong character. Students from the graduating class of 2021 donated over 60,000 hours of community service.

Excellence in academics, athletics, and the fine arts explain why Highland Park High has won the Texas University Interscholastic League ‘Lone Star Cup’ an unprecedented 12 times.

The property tax rate in Highland Park is $1.0974 per $100 of valuation.  

Superior Schools (10 or 9 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

John S. Armstrong

Michael M. Boone

John S. Bradfield

Robert S. Hyer

University Park

High School

Highland Park

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Middle School

McCulloch Intermediate Highland Park Middle

Irving Independent School District

2621 West Airport Freeway

Irving, TX 75062

(972) 600-5000

Overall District Grade: (B) 87/100

in the northwest tip of Dallas County, the 49-square mile area serviced by the Irving Independent  School District includes portions of Dallas, Grand Prairie, and Las Colinas, as well as most of Irving. It does not include the Valley Ranch development located within Irving City Limits. Total enrollment is  approximately 33,000 students.

IISD boasts a laudable graduation rate of over 95%, and students can take the ACT, PSAT. SAT, AP. and TSI for free. District schools offer 30 Advanced Placement and 40 dual credit courses. The 2000-plus students who took dual credit courses saved more than $760,000 in college tuition.

The property tax rate in IISD is $1.2751 per $100 of valuation.

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Barton

Brandenburg

Elliott

Schulze

Middle Schools

Lorenzo De Zavala

Houston

High School

Jack E. Singley

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Davis

Farine

Gilbert

Good

John Haley

Thomas Haley

Hanes

Keyes

Lee

Lively

John W. and Margie Stipes

Townley

Middle Schools

Austin

Crockett

Lamar

Travis

High School

MacArthur

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

Britain

Brown

Johnston

Jackie Mae Townsell

Middle Schools

Bowie

Lady Bird Johnson

High Schools

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center

Irving

Nimitz

Lancaster Independent School District

422 South Centre Avenue

Lancaster, TX 75146

(972) 218-1401

Overall District Grade: (B) 81/100

Located in southern Dallas County, Lancaster Independent School District serves the City of Lancaster and small portions of both Hutchins and Dallas. The 12 campuses in LISD educate over 7300 students.

Academically, LISD has achieved two historic distinctions. 

  • It was the first district in the State of Texas to establish a Dollars for College Savings Plan, which allows parents to invest in their children’s futures
  • Additionally, LISD was the State’s first K-12 STEM district.

LISD has a rich athletic tradition, as well. Since 2001, the Lady Tigers Track and Field Team has won 12 UIL titles, while the Boys’ Team has won 7 straight.

The property tax rate in LISD is $1.4999 per $100 in valuation.

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Houston

Pleasant Run

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Belt Line

Rolling Hills

Rosa Parks Millbrook

West Main

Middle Schools

Elsie Robertson Lancaster STEM

George Washington Carver 6th Grade STEM Learning Center

High School

Lancaster

Mesquite Independent School District

3819 Towne Crossing

Mesquite, TX 75150

(972) 288-6411

Overall District Grade: (B) 87/100

Located east of Dallas and extending slightly into Kaufman County, the Mesquite Independent School District serves nearly 40,000 students across 48 campuses. Covering 60 square miles on both sides of Interstate 635, MISD encompasses not only most of the City of Mesquite, but also portions of Seagoville, Garland, Batch Springs, and Dallas.

  • In 2020, MISD was recognized as having the National School Library of the Year.
  • Memorial Stadium, which is shared by all of the local high schools, is the largest high school football stadium in the State of Texas.
  • MISD operates the largest student radio station in the United States.

The property tax rate for Mesquite ISD is $1.4464 per $100 of valuation.

Unless otherwise noted, all schools are in Mesquite.

Superior Schools (10 or 9 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementary

Zack Motley

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Gentry

Georgia W. Kimball

G. R. Porter

Middle School

Wilkinson

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Don Achziger

J.C. Austin

C. W. Beasley

Florence Black

J. H. Florence

Bedford Galloway

W. O. Gray (Batch Springs)

John L. Hanby

Dr. Linda Henrie (Dallas)

Joe Lawrence

Mackey (Batch Springs)

E. S. McKenzie

Ferd A. McWhorter

Mary Moss

Pirrung

J. C. Rugel

Sam Rutherford

Seabourn

Shands

Ruby Shaw

B. J. Smith

Tisinger

Charles A. Tosch

Middle Schools

Frank Berry

R. S. Kimbrough

High Schools

Dr. John D. Horn

Dr. Ralph Poteet

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

Dr. J. C. Cannaday

Walter Floyd (Batch Springs)

Ed Hodges (Batch Springs)

Vernon Price (Garland)

I. N. Range

J. R. Thompson

Middle Schools

Agnew

Lanny Frasier

T. H. McDonald

A. C. New

Dr. James P. Terry

Vanston

High Schools

Mesquite

North Mesquite

West Mesquite

Poor (2 or 1)

High School

Mesquite Academy

Richardson Independent School District

400 South Greenville Avenue

Richardson, Texas 75081

(469) 593-0000

Overall District Grade: (B) 84/100

Located northeast of Dallas and covering 39 square miles, Richardson Independent School District includes most of the City of Richardson, as well as portions of Garland and Dallas. In fact, 65% of RISD is in North Dallas.

The district has a total enrollment of over 39,000 students on 55 campuses.

  • For 10 consecutive years, RISD has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the entire country.
  • In 2020, the Texas Art Education Association named RISD a “District of Distinction”.
  • During the 2020-21 school year, over 200 RISD athletes earned All-State Honors.

The property tax rate for RISD is $1.4047 per $100 of valuation.   

Superior Schools (10 or 9 rating on GreatSchools.org)

Elementaries

Math/Science/Tech Magnet (Richardson)

Prairie Creek (Richardson)

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Arapaho Classical Magnet (Richardson)

Big Springs (Garland)

Bowie (Dallas)

Brentfield (Dallas)

Canyon Creek (Richardson)

Carolyn G. Bukhair (Dallas)

Forest Lane (Dallas)

Merriman Park (Dallas)

Mohawk (Richardson)

Prestonwood (Dallas)

Richardson Terrace (Richardson)

Spring Creek (Dallas)

Springridge (Richardson)

White Rock (Dallas)

Middle School

Parkhill (Dallas)

Average (6 or 5)

Elementaries

Dartmouth (Richardson)

Forestridge (Dallas)

Greenwood Hills  (Richardson)

Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet (Dallas)

Lake Highlands (Dallas)

Mark Twain (Richardson)

Northlake (Dallas)

Moss Haven (Dallas)

O. Henry (Garland)

RISD Academy (Dallas)

Yale (Richardson)

Middle Schools

Apollo (Richardson)

Forest Meadow (Dallas)

Lake Highlands (Dallas)

Liberty Junior High STEM Academy (Dallas)

Richardson North (Richardson)

Richardson West Arts and Technology Magnet (Richardson)

Westwood Math, Science, and Leadership Magnet (Dallas)

High Schools

Pearce (Richardson)

Richardson (Richardson)

Below-Average (4 or 3)

Elementaries

Aikin (Dallas)

Audelia Creek (Dallas)

Dover (Richardson)

Jess Harben (Richardson)

Northrich (Richardson)

Northwood Hills (Dallas)

Richardson Heights (Richardson)

Richland (Richardson)

Skyview (Dallas)

Spring Valley (Dallas)

Stults Academy (Dallas)

Thurgood Marshall (Dallas)

Wallace (Dallas)

High Schools

Berkner STEM Academy (Richardson)

Lake Highlands (Dallas)

Sunnyvale Independent School District

417 Tripp Road

Sunnyvale, TX 75182

(972) 226-5974

Overall District Grade: (A) 97/100

Sunnyvale Independent School District is located on the easternmost boundary of Dallas County, about 15 miles away from the City of Dallas. SISD is relatively small, encompassing just 17 square miles and serving approximately 1200 students. All of the campuses are within the Town of Sunnyvale.

  • 79%of SISD teachers have 6 or more years of experience.
  • The average SAT score among SISD students is 1174, well above both the State and National averages.
  • 88% of graduates are career, college, or military ready.

The property tax rate for SISD is $1.784 per $100 of valuation. 

Above-Average (8 or 7)

Elementaries

Sunnyvale Elementary

Sunnyvale Intermediate

Middle Schools

Sunnyvale Middle

High Schools

Sunnyvale High

SOURCES:

How to Choose the Right Neighborhood (realtor com)

Dallas County, Texas  – Public Schools by Independent School Districts (dallascountytexas.us)

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, School Districts & Quality Assessments | U.S. News Best Places (usnews.com)

Your Home Might Be More Expensive If It’s Near A Good School | Money

Best High Schools in the U.S. – US News

School Ratings & Reviews for Public & Private Schools: GreatSchools

Dallas Independent School District / Dallas ISD Home

Home – Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (cfbisd.edu)

Cedar Hill ISD / CHISD Homepage

Coppell Independent School District / Overview (coppellisd.com)

Home – DeSoto ISD

Duncanville Independent School District – Duncanville Independent School District (duncanvilleisd.org)

Home – Ferris Independent School District (ferrisisd.org)

Home | Garland Independent School District (garlandisd.net)

GCISD

Highland Park Schools (hpisd.org)

Property Taxes | Highland Park, TX – Official Website (hptx.org)

https://www.irvingisd.net/

Property Tax Information | Irving, TX – Official Website (cityofirving.org)

Lancaster Independent School District / Homepage (lancasterisd.org)

propertytaxrates-direct-tx-dfw-111020.pdf (oldrepublictitle.com)

Home – Mesquite ISD

Property Tax | Mesquite, TX – Official Website (cityofmesquite.com)

Richardson Independent School District (risd.org)

Richardson ISD Trustees Call Tax Ratification Election (risd.org)

Sunnyvale ISD / Overview

Texas School Report Cards (txschools.gov)