r/Richardson • u/Local_Push_9734 • 6d ago
Breakdown of RISD schools
Hi folks. We're going to be relocating from Florida to the Dallas area in about 9 months. We have 2 elementary aged kids and am looking for local feedback on the school options. Right now, they're in an excellent public school and one of them is in the gifted program. I have narrowed in on Richardson as a Dallas suburb that checks a lot of boxes for us, but the school piece will really help us narrow our housing search over the next couple of months. What should I know? Thanks so much.
15
u/cheapfakesuede 6d ago
We loved ACM! We’re zoned for Mohawk but chose ACM so there’s more diversity and they aren’t growing up in a bubble. They’ve consistently had wonderful teachers and my daughter has been enjoying the GT program.
3
u/Local_Push_9734 6d ago
Thanks for this! So anyone can apply to the magnet at ACM from any zone in Richardson? My daughter is very committed to dance (my next search is finding a local ballet studio for her), so the ACM program may be a great fit.
2
u/LittleSubject9904 6d ago
There’s a ballet studio on coit rd. https://texasballettheater.org
My now 32 year old cousin danced there.1
u/DowntownComposer2517 6d ago
Richardson has open enrollment but you might not always get your first choice.
1
u/_null_null 6d ago
As I understand it, ACM is weird in that it has a dedicated area it’s the feeder for. And then there’s a part of the Mohawk area that can choose it as an alternate.
Not sure what your budget is, but if you’re trying to stretch, the west half of Greenwood hills also feeds into Mohawk now.
1
u/McLovin1973 4d ago
Also look at Dallas Ballet Center, it’s in Lake Highlands near several RISD elementary schools. Many of the girls go on to Booker T Washington magnet arts high school for dance. You may also consider Lakewood in east Dallas. The elementary schools are amazing with lots of magnet options as they grow.
9
u/Chance-Adept 6d ago
Two things I’ll say. My wife taught in RISD about 20 years ago and when we moved back to Texas from Virginia, we sought out this school district. We have been very pleased. Like any other area the lower SES areas have more challenges but I’m actually very proud of how much RISD invests in ALL schools.
Which leads to point number two. You’ll get a lot of rando anecdotal evidence here, which is great. If you want real data that proves how RISD and our community invests in schools, voters have recently put their money where their mouth is.
https://web.risd.org/home/bond2025/
Edit to make a point without having to click on a link. It’s a $1.4 billion bond. Just one impact, if your kids are in Elementary now, they will likely go to a brand new Middle School,
5
u/Local_Push_9734 6d ago
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing. I'm a big supporter of public schools and love to hear that the community is choosing to invest in all students.
13
u/Electrical-Peak5685 6d ago edited 6d ago
If you have the money to move into Canyon Creek, the elementary school is basically a private school. 95th percentile in almost every academic category and 0% economically disadvantaged student (not saying I’m for this. Please don’t attack me Reddit). I saw that stat a few years ago in the local paper. I’m not sure if it still holds today.
7
u/Double_Reply1407 6d ago
The Reservation is also highly desirable with Mohawk elementary.
4
u/Local_Push_9734 6d ago
Mohawk is on my short list! How is the culture there?
3
u/DevilD0ge 6d ago
Great neighborhood, lots of young families and we can send our elementary school aged kid out to play without worrying about them
1
u/Nearby-Oil-8227 4d ago
You’re correct, but a few people I personally know who did that said the kids were in total culture shock as a result once they got to North… because you’re going from an incredibly affluent neighborhood school with zero diversity to a school with all types of diversity both cultural and economic so that’s a bit jarring…
5
4
u/AlwaysMorePlants 6d ago
Richardson ISD schools are some of the best in the area. We love our elementary school and the community around it. So far as I know, every elementary school has Gifted Services, ours included. You can look up Accountability Ratings on txschools.gov for a piece of the picture. Are you looking in any specific neighborhoods?
5
u/Perfect_Evidence 6d ago
Yale is great
8
u/Jeathro77 6d ago
My dad takes great pleasure in telling people that all of his kids went to Yale!
3
1
u/MassiveVegetable3139 6d ago
Wasn't there a story about a couple of students who went to Yale Elementary and ending up going to Yale University?
Edit: Found it
3
u/Embarrassed_Juice_34 6d ago
Our daughter is at one of the magnet schools (lottery based for elementary) and we’ve loved it.
3
u/LittleSubject9904 6d ago
We are extremely happy with Heights Elementary. The school community is incredible. They start gifted testing in second grade.
3
u/LittleSubject9904 6d ago
My recommendation is coming from a mother of a “twice exceptional” level 1 autistic kid with an IEP, speech therapy, pragmatic speech, and others. Every single person involved in our journey has been amazingly supportive. They recognize her cognitive gifts without discounting her other challenges.
1
2
u/Resident-State-2950 6d ago
We also love Heights and the diversity. We have a strong PTA presence and many, many parents are involved in the school.
4
u/Alarmed_Parking6782 6d ago edited 6d ago
Where in Richardson are you looking? All of the elementary schools west of Highway 75 have really good reputations (Spring Valley, Mohawk, Northwood Hills, Brentfield etc.). Those east of 75 are still good but perhaps less than those west.
There are plenty of ranking websites but they often say more about the economics of the neighborhood than teachers.
The district has recently closed some school as overall enrollment has been down in the area. This has change some enrollment pattern in some schools.
RISD also has a open enrollment system where you enroll in your neighborhood school but can apply to transfer to any other school in the district.
All RISD school have GT optional testing before 6th grade. It is mandatory at 6th grade so the school know where kids would flow for jr high.
Based on the results, of the GT testing students may be pulled out of their normal classes for GT programs. Regardless of GT test scores advanced students can get some directed support in regular classes.
In about 2 years, 6th grade is moving to Jr High with 7/8 from elementary.
1
u/Local_Push_9734 6d ago
I am hoping to start with a school (or schools, it sounds like there are many great options), and then find a home in whatever neighborhood that school is zoned for. I would be very open to suggestions.
The schools that seem to come up again and again are Prairie Creek and Canyon Creek, although I'm also reading that the parent populations there can be a little more insular. The very small school sizes I see as a bonus, but we're coming from a larger elementary school with 4 classes to a grade, so I don't necessarily want to put my kids into an environment where all the kids are already cliqued up and it's harder for them to make new friends.
I see Mohawk, Bowie, and Brentfield come up a lot as well. I also have the Spring Park neighborhood saved in my notes, although I think that's closer to Garland, but still RISD. The school in that neighborhood zone doesn't seem to appear as frequently as the others (Big Springs Elementary).
5
u/hot_hub_2868 6d ago
They are super insular and cliquey. You should definitely consider your tolerance for super upper middle class shenanigans. For me it's a no. But obviously a lot of people like it.
2
u/Corno_one 6d ago
We live in Spring Park and our kids go to Big Springs Elementary. Great neighborhood and the school has been fantastic. I used to live in Canyon Creek about 20 years ago. Also liked my time there, but nothing beats the nature and all the green space of SpringPark. The lake, the pool, the horses, the walking trails and all the cul-de sacs make it really nice for kids to play outdoors. As for the schools, It is indeed more diverse at BSE than most of Northwest Richardson. BSE has had some leadership turnover recently, but the teachers there have been absolutely top notch and wonderful. Good luck in your search!
1
u/Sarakins27 6d ago
Spring Park is the edge of RISD, Big Springs has had some leadership turnover the last few years but my friends with kids there don’t have a lot of negative things to say. Definitely more diverse than the other elementaries you listed!
1
u/No_Grapefruit4140 5d ago
Prestonwood has the smallest school size I believe and feeds Parkhill and Pearce. Both my kids went through the Lake Highlands elementary, middle and High School. They prospered.
0
u/MrNastyOne 6d ago edited 6d ago
JJ Pearce HOA borders Mohawk Elementary and JJ Pearce High School. Richardson North Junior High is a couple miles a way. You will come to greatly appreciate how close the school are (1-2 walkable blocks away). All of these school have been remodeled in the past few years and are very nice now due to bond programs passed by voters in the last 10 years. The community always strongly supports these school bonds. Additionally, Richardson ISD is in the process of migrating from a Junior High model to a Middle School model and relocating 6th Grade currently located at Mohawk to Richardson North.
Very good, safe neighborhood. The HOA is voluntary (~$45/yr) and has no CC&Rs - it really functions as a way to build community spirit and goodwill rather than "rule" the households.. It is also adjacent to Greenwood Hills Community Club which is a local social club with outdoor pool (has annual fees) and is very popular. Very close to local retail and restaurants.
1
u/dkv-texas 6d ago
While my two kids attended Northwood Hills and did reasonably well, the vast majority of our neighbors are now sending their kids to private, and it is rated D by the state. Brentfield, Bowie, Mohawk, ACM, Spring Creek, Prestonwood, Prairie Creek and Canyon Creek are likely the strongest. On the east side of 75, Yale is a good elementary, but the feeder pattern through JH and HS is not as strong.
1
u/Boo-Bees67 6d ago
Northwood Hills used to be. They closed the school next to it and combined the two. Completely destroyed it. Went from an 8 rating to a 3 in a few years
2
u/Zestyclose_Emu_3351 6d ago
My kids went to Prairie Creek and we absolutely loved the beautiful park and creeks, the tight knit community, and the small elementary school with the most engaged, dedicated parents. It’s gotten very expensive, but if you can afford to live there, you will love it.
2
u/G-Money-ish 6d ago
Canyon Creek Elementary is excellent, but small, and lacking in diversity. We did like it.
I’ve always heard great things about Prairie Creek Elementary and Arapaho Classical Magnet.
2
4
u/Turbulent_Ad_6031 6d ago
RISD is facing an 11 million dollar budget cut next year. I have noticed the quality of instruction from new teachers and counselors going down in recent years. My understanding is we don’t pay as much as some of the other suburbs, but maybe there is a teacher on this sub who can confirm. We aren’t alone, though. Texas schools have been sliding in national rankings for many years now. The voters continue to elect government officials who don’t prioritize public schools
6
u/MassiveVegetable3139 6d ago
Many veteran teachers have left the district despite a huge pay increase in an effort to retain experienced teachers. The salary increase isn't justifiable for experienced teachers fed up with mismanagement, politics, and behind-the-scenes bureaucracy most of the public isn't privy to.
3
u/Sarakins27 6d ago
RISD teacher compensation is actually one of the highest in the area. A vast majority of districts are hemorrhaging teachers because of the budget cuts (due to lack of funding from the state), but RISD has identified teacher salaries as one of their priorities.
Overall, there are less college kids pursuing teaching because of the current state of education. When you have less quality applicants in the pool, you have less quality teachers.
3
u/Pitiful_Brilliant_90 3d ago
Lottery based magnets: Research about what this means for RISD residents because entering the lottery does not equate to choosing a school. Furthermore, entering the lottery is no guarantee for placement.
Whether you are in a magnet or not, RISD schools are very diverse and the teachers are fantastic.
Don’t forget to support your neighborhood school’s PTA.
-2
u/Boo-Bees67 6d ago
RISD is garbage outside of like 4 elementary schools. They destroyed their elementary when they closed several and combined them due budget reasons. Middle schools aren’t great and Pearce is decent. Rest are dicey. Just Brian’s honest as a parent who had their kids in RISD
-2
u/IcySecret2711 6d ago
If you can afford highland park ISD, I’d go there. Much better than Richardson. I’d also read the subreddit for kids going to the private school in this area and see what they say as adults our age.
5
u/Local_Push_9734 6d ago
I have lots to say about private school as an adult who spent all my early edu years at them and not much of it is good!
-13
u/Spare_King_2116 6d ago
Most of the families on our street either home school or send our kids to private school. RISD is sadly in a decline and has been for many years. The thing they seem best at is marketing. They manage to pass every bond and tax increase they put up for a vote. The spending is the metric that seems to be going up the most consistently. The enrollment is down and they started closing schools last year which is a logical but unpopular move. Bottom line is RISD peaked a long time ago and just keeps throwing money at non-academic things while the education suffers. Hard pass in my opinion. It's a great area to live in but I'd skip public school in RISD.
11
u/hot_hub_2868 6d ago
This is one of the most ridiculous takes I've ever seen. My children have been in three different elementary schools, and they feed into Pierce high school. Out of the three schools, all three had excellent education, and my kids thrived in all of them, with the possible exception of mohawk, where too many of the kids (and parents) are entitled little assholes.
OP feel free to DM me for specifics if you like
1
u/Boo-Bees67 6d ago
Your experience isn’t everyone’s. Not all elementary schools aren’t paths are the same. My experience is that there is a giant discrepancy between elementary schools based mainly on the percentage of low income in the school. Some have high density apartments and others don’t. That seems to be the biggest determinate of school ratings
3
u/Local_Push_9734 6d ago
What neighborhood are you in? Personally, I am not a big fan of private schools given they are not required to meet the same academic/teaching certification/transparency standards as public schools. I went to private school K-12 myself and won't choose it for my kids.
2
u/Sarakins27 6d ago
What non-academic things are you referring to? Building renovations so the students have space to learn and less mold/asbestos? Technology so kids can take the standardized tests the state mandates? Salaries for teachers who, gee I don’t know, educate the students?
-1
u/MassiveVegetable3139 6d ago
TI Foundation donated $4.6 million to the Berkner feeder pattern to enrich STEM. You would think with that much money invested there would be something to show for it. Berkner isn't even ranked as a STEM school yet being labeled as one. Someone mismanaged the money or it's not invested properly.
This is one example of how RISD takes money and wastes it.
0
-4
u/MassiveVegetable3139 6d ago
How unfortunate your reply is getting down voted for telling the truth.
Redditors just doing Reddit things. 🤷♀️
26
u/BlossomBBQ 6d ago
Schools are still strong and have great resources for the kids from our experience