Inside Dallas ISD

Written by Lennon Formaggini, Student Activities Department Skyline High School’s gymnasium was transformed into a hub of academic excellence and vibrant school spirit as elementary students from across Dallas ISD gathered for the annual Lone Star Challenge. The academic event, which serves as the elementary school equivalent to Academic Decathlon, brought together hundreds of students to showcase their intellect and teamwork. Organized by the Dallas ISD Student Activities Department, the Lone Star Challenge tests nine-member school teams across math, science, literature, and social studies. This year’s theme focused heavily on Africa, leading students to dive deep into everything from complex…

At Camp Culture: A World Language Experience, middle schoolers aren’t just learning languages; they are painting, designing, tasting, and storytelling their way into new worlds.  Running through June 25, the camp lets students rotate through Spanish, German, French, and Mandarin with hands-on activities, from traditional dances and basic language lessons to food tastings in partnership with Food and Child Nutrition Services. Lisa Whitaker, director of Academic Enrichment and Support, said her idea for the program grew out of a simple concern: students don’t know what they’re missing. “Children often select Spanish or French, while German, ASL, and Mandarin are rarely…

Jazz filled the classrooms of Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation as student musicians spent part of their summer break learning improvisation and exploring the rich history of an art form deeply rooted in Dallas ISD’s legacy. Now in its second year, the Roy Hargrove Summer Jazz Camp continues to honor Hargrove, one of the district’s most celebrated alumni, while preparing the next generation of musicians. Leading the camp are two music educators, Kermit Gray and LeManuel Williams. “We teach elements of swing, playing in different modes, and then we really focus on improvisation and teaching the kids how…

Written by Julian Spearman, Student Activities  George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy is now the number one Dallas ISD middle school is the number one Dallas ISD middle school, according to the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association. Lorelei Nguyen, a TMSCA coach at Dealey, encourages students to look at room for improvement and learn from their mistakes rather than competing against one another. In turn, they had less anxiety and performed better. “Consistent practice and a focus on growth are most important to success. Another thing I do is make growth the focus of their grade,” said Nguyen. “Students need…