With tons of amazing programs in the Dallas suburbs, you’ll have no trouble finding the district that’s right for your family.
Whether you prioritize STEAM, the arts, career readiness, college prep, or anything outside of the typical curriculum, there’s a school in the DFW Metroplex that’s right for your family. The Dallas & Fort Worth suburbs are packed with unique and innovative educational programs from an art school with Grammy-award-winning alumni to a Health Sciences program offering 60 college credit hours. Check out some of these sought-after schools and how they’re shaking up education.
#1. Keller Collegiate Academy (Keller)
All Keller ISD students can apply to the Keller Collegiate Academy, an early college high school that focuses on healthcare programs. Graduating students meet the state’s high school requirements and can earn 60 college credits, an Associate’s Degree or a professional certification.
This school provides four pathways: Associate of Applied Sciences, Associate of Arts Degree, Surgical Technology and Vocational Nursing. During their time at Keller Collegiate Academy, students gain hands-on experience in the on-campus lab and attend lectures from experts in the healthcare field. After graduation, students are prepared to enter the workforce or continue to higher education- with a head start.
#2. STEM Academy at Northwest High School (Northlake, Roanoke & Trophy Club)
This “school-within-a-school” is designed for Northwest ISD students with a serious interest in the STEM fields. Participating students take most of their courses in the academy, which means they have access to unique educational opportunities not found in the traditional setting.
The STEM Academy follows the engineering-focused “Project Lead The Way” Curriculum and students participate in real-world learning exercises throughout their academic careers. Students also complete cross-curricular projects that help them develop critical thinking skills and build dynamic connections across disciplines. Graduates leave with a solid STEM foundation and are prepared to enter challenging collegiate programs.
#3. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Downtown Dallas)
Do you have a young performer in the family? You’ll want to consider Booker T. Washington High School. This highly-respected arts school has trained more than a few stars, including Grammy-award-winning Norah Jones.
This fine arts magnet school focuses on theater, dance, music and visual arts. By completing the program, students are prepared to enter the professional art world or continue their training in a collegiate setting.
Another thing that sets this art school apart? It’s connected. Booker T. Washington High School is located in downtown Dallas and has relationships with tons of the city’s cultural institutions. Students are regularly presented with opportunities to perform and collaborate with partners like the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Film Society and many more.
#4. Plano ISD Academies (Plano)
The Plano ISD offers more than one unique academy for local students. This district features two International Baccalaureate (IB) schools: Huffman Elementary International Baccalaureate and IB World School at Plano East Senior High. Both schools offer a global perspective and help the students learn about different cultures and international issues with open minds.
Plano residents also have the option to send their kids to Plano ISD Academy High School. This STEAM-focused program offers hands-on experiences and fosters learning through cross-discipline collaborations. For students who want to kick-start their healthcare career goals, there’s the Health Sciences Academy which offers workforce dual credit courses through Collin College.
#5. Frisco ISD (Frisco)
Frisco ISD encourages students to explore a variety of interests and goals through real-world learning. This district works to set students up for career and collegiate success with rigorous academic programs and unique extracurriculars in sports marketing, animal science, video game design and art history and more.
What really sets this district apart is its unique Dyslexia Program. This program is dedicated to the success of every student and Dyslexia support is available on each campus. Plus, this was the first public school program in America to “become an IMSLEC accredited dyslexia therapist training center.” Students who are identified and entered into the Dyslexia Program typically participate for two years. After leaving the Dyslexia Program, these students are still given additional support when needed.
#6. Vanguard High School (Mesquite)
Vanguard High School is a new type of high school. Instead of focusing on college readiness, this school prepares its students to start a career in engineering, technology, construction science or health science.
Students can earn multiple industry certifications in the 16 different programs, including robotics, architectural design, graphic design, logistics and pharmacy technician. Students are also encouraged to complete an internship program and have the option to earn dual credit, which they can use if they decide to continue their academic careers.
Although this school just opened in Fall 2021, it’s been attracting attention for a few years. In 2019, the 250,000 square foot campus won the 2019 Outstanding Design Award from School Planning & Management Magazine. Throughout the award-winning campus, students have access to walking trails, outdoor classrooms, open common areas and other elements that make it feel more like a college than a typical high school. In a few years, the school even plans to get rid of the bell system to help students learn to rely on their own time management skills.
BONUS: The Einstein School (Plano)
Although we are mainly focusing on public schools, we’d be remiss not to mention this innovative private school. The Einstein School fosters creativity, curiosity and a love of learning. Students are encouraged to think outside of the box, gain self-confidence and develop a sense of ethics.
Through hands-on, interactive experiences, students gain a practical understanding of the college-prep curriculum instead of just memorizing facts and figures. Students are also exposed to a variety of STEAM disciplines through unique courses like forensics and aerospace engineering. The arts are a big deal at The Einstein School (the performing arts program director trained at Julliard) and students can learn to express themselves through painting, animation, theater and more.
Ready to find that A+ fit for your family? We’re here to help! Schedule your FREE Suburbs Strategy session today.