Learn What Choices Are Available to You

Different Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area schools offer alternatives in teaching styles, content, and learning opportunities. This section briefly describes some types of Texas schools and area ISD's you may find.

Neighborhood Public Schools & Independent School Districts

Many parents choose to send their children to the public school in their neighborhood, according to the map boundaries developed by the Independent School District. Many ISD Websites, like Lewisville ISD, provide a map showing school boundaries. Choose any ISD from the list on the left for more information. Attending a neighborhood public school can make it easy for your child to get to school, to work with classmates on group projects, and to visit friends. These schools are often anchors in a community and getting involved in the school PTA / PTO / PIE helps new home owners quickly establish friendships and learn about the local activities, festivals, parks, and culture.

Other Public School Options

You may want to investigate other public schools. In an increasing number of districts, you can choose to send your child to a specialized public school. These schools of choice often emphasize a particular subject or have a special philosophy of education. One school might emphasize science, art, or language study. Another might offer a firm code of conduct, a dress code, or a rigorous traditional academic program.

Another may be an alternative school designed to respond to students who are insufficiently challenged by the regular school program, who are likely to drop out, or who have behavioral or substance abuse problems. These schools, often small, work to make students feel they belong. In the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex Area there are second chance schools and clinics for students who have dropped out of regular schools and now want to complete their education.

Texas Charter Schools

Texas Charter schools are public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the local Independent School District and State of Texas regulations that apply to traditional public schools within the ISD's. Texas Charter Schools allow parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, and others the flexibility to innovate, create and provide students with increased educational options. Texas Charter schools exercise increased autonomy in return for stronger accountability. They are sponsored by designated local, state, or other organizations that monitor their quality and integrity while holding them accountable for academic results and fiscal practices.

Texas Magnet Schools

Texas Magnet schools are designed to attract students from diverse social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds by focusing on a specific subject, such as science, technology, or the arts. Some Dallas Fort Worth DFW Metroplex Magnet Schools require students to take an exam or demonstrate knowledge or skill in the specialty to qualify to go to the school, while others are open to students who express an interest in that area.

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Choosing A School For Your Child is a parenting article by Mark Hitz, Realtor DFW Realty GMAC Real Estate 214-514-1800 for relocating home buying parents who evaluate their children's educational options when choosing communities, ISD's and area homes for sale.