Dallas ISD trustees approved opening two new transformation schools in August with learning models that have been successful on other campuses.
Students have until April 30 to go here and apply to these two new schools.
Sam Houston Elementary will become a personalized learning campus that will mirror the successful model of Dan D. Rogers Elementary School. Students currently in grades 2–4 at Houston Elementary can stay at the campus under the same elementary school model as previous years, while students currently in grades pre-K-2 will start under the personalized learning model next school year.
Meanwhile, Onesimo Hernandez Elementary will become a Montessori school in August. The existing campus will consolidate with Maple Lawn Elementary. The new Montessori school will start by serving students in grades pre-K–2, and then build out in following years to serve additional grades. Current Hernandez students going into grades K–2 will be given priority if they apply to the new Montessori school.
Both Hernandez and Houston elementary schools have low student enrollment. Angie Gaylord, deputy chief of the Office of Transformation and Innovation, said bringing these new learning models to the campuses will set the campuses and families up for future success.
“There is proven demand for Montessori and personalized learning schools here in Dallas,” Gaylord said. “This decision will help these campuses succeed and serve families for decades to come.”
Families could start applying to the new Montessori and personalized learning schools on Monday, March 26.
More than 13,500 students applied to attend a Dallas ISD choice school—which includes magnets, early college high schools and transformation schools—during the application window that was open Dec. 1–Jan. 31.
