Inside Dallas ISD

Akash Patel, the founder at Happy World Foundation Inc. and Spanish teacher at Ignite Middle School , is one of 30 literacy leaders named to the International Literacy Association’s (ILA) 2021 30 Under 30 list. The global list celebrates rising innovators, disruptors and visionaries in the literacy field. The 29-year-old  was recognized for his work promoting global citizenship in schools and communities worldwide. Realizing most of his students had never been out of the United States, Patel—who speaks six languages and has traveled to more than 50 countries—sought to bring the outside world to his students by turning to technology.…

“How do you think Dr. King’s teachings can help us today?” That is the question eight Dallas ISD fourth and fifth graders will answer on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth date as they contend in the finals of the 29th annual MLK Oratory Competition. The event, held virtually this year, will be livestreamed on the district’s website and on Facebook Live at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 15. The students’ inspiring speeches will be the high point of a monthslong process in which—in spite of the pandemic—dozens of students at 13 district schools participated by penning, memorizing…

CityLab High School is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. Visit www.dallasisd.org/applycitylab to learn more. When CityLab High School sophomore Stephanie Jimenez moved to the United States just two years ago, she only knew one word of English. Jimenez was determined to get the education she wanted and, after visiting a number of schools, enrolled in CityLab, a Dallas ISD transformation school. In just two years, Jimenez has not only learned English thanks to bilingual classmates and teachers who helped her learn at her own pace, the school has nurtured her passion for art. “CityLab is in an…

The new Montessori Dual Language schools is now accepting applications for students entering pre-K, kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade next school year.  Families can apply by visiting www.dallasisd.org/choosedallasisd and filling out the online application. Dallas ISD has seen a huge demand for Montessori schools, with there being three times as many applications as there are available seats. With that in mind, Dallas ISD is launching a new Montessori Dual Language school in North Dallas to provide additional choices to Dallas-area families. The school, which will be located at the current E.D. Walker Middle School campus, will open next school…