National Blue Ribbon Award and Discover Dallas ISD

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Cheers, hugs and celebrations have recently been on the menu at Walnut Hill Elementary as the school is the first Dallas ISD elementary to earn two National Blue Ribbon Awards as an exemplary high-performing school. The school earned its first Blue Ribbon in 1999 and its second one late last month.

Current Walnut Hill Elementary Principal Phillip Potter credits the school’s unwavering commitment to excellence for achieving this prestigious award during his tenure, and under the leadership of former principal R. Chase McLaurin, now the principal of North Lake Early College High School.

The honor reflects the direction of staff and community at Walnut Hill in accomplishing their goals and providing a quality education to all students. The school has established a tradition of excellence and plans to continue building upon this national recognition.

Principal Potter expressed great pride in his school community and showered them all with gratitude. 

Walnut Hill also prides itself in offering choice academic models such as a two-way dual language program. Application period for the 2020-2021 school year will open Nov. 2. The program empowers students to learn two languages and become bilingual and biliterate. You can learn more about this and other choice model schools by visiting www.dallasisd.org/yourchoices.

The dual language program is just one of many choice options offered in Dallas ISD, which is rapidly becoming a district of choice where every child can find a school that best fits their unique interests, needs and aspirations. The academic options offered are as diverse as the learners themselves, and many of the top-tier programs offered at area private schools can be found in Dallas ISD.

The district is proud to offer countless specialty school choice programs and models for students in all grades. The options include programs such as Montessori, International Baccalaureate, Talented and Gifted, Single Gender, STEM/STEAM, Visual And Performing Arts, P-Tech/Early College, Career Institutes, Collegiate Academies, Two-Way Dual Language and much more.

In District 1, you can find a dual language program at Nathan Adams Elementary, George H. W. Bush Elementary, F. P. Caillet Elementary, Everette L. DeGolyer Elementary, Anne Frank Elementary, Tom C. Gooch Elementary, Jerry R. Junkins Elementary, Arthur Kramer Elementary, Walnut Hill Elementary, Harry Withers Elementary, E. D. Walker Middle School, and W. T. White High School. 

At the high school level, students have an opportunity to get ahead and begin preparing for their college education. Incoming freshmen students have the opportunity to begin gaining valuable experience in a professional pathway of their choice while earning 60-hours of tuition-free college credits and a high school diploma, simultaneously. 

In partnership with Brookhaven Community College, Thomas Jefferson High School offers a P-TECH program with a focus on business and technology, and W. T. White High School offers its students a P-TECH program with pathways in accounting and early childhood education. In addition to the P-TECH program, W. T. White students with a passion for dance, have the opportunity of participating in a fine arts collegiate academy.

Another popular program in District 1 is the Montessori program offered at George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Vanguard and International Academy. Through Montessori programs, students have the freedom to choose how they learn while nurturing independence, social harmony and love of learning.

To learn more about these and other specialty school offerings in District 1 and throughout the district, I invite parents to join us at the annual school expo Discover Dallas ISD on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at W. H. Adamson High School:  309 E. Ninth Street. The event will also include workshops to guide parents on how to select the best school for their child. For more information about the event, visit: www.dallasisd.org/discover. 

Learn more district news by following us on social media @Dallasisd and @dallasisdEspanol.