If you’ve spent anytime in the stunning city of Dallas, you’ve probably already encountered some of its Out-Performers—like Lakeside Park (filled with stone teddy bears), the 42 Murals Project in Deep Ellum (each one is Instagram-worthy), or the Dallas Arts District (okay, maybe not so hidden…).
Searching for the right school for your family is kind of like exploring a new city— exciting and overwhelming at the same time! With over 200 public schools in Dallas ISD alone, it’s hard to know where to begin your search for the top Dallas schools.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of Out-Performer schools: easy-to-miss Dallas schools that definitely deserve a second look.
SchoolSparrow understands that parent income is the biggest driver of test scores at any given public K-12 school in the US. That’s why our ranking system normalizes for parent income, which elevates schools with socio-economic diversity to the forefront, instead of favoring schools in privileged communities which plagues other ranking websites.
School District Overview
The Dallas Independent School District is making great strides in educational excellence. It now includes 150 dual language programs and 27 P-TECHS and collegiate academics, and over 30 magnet schools. Like many school districts, these magnet schools require special applications, but other public schools accept all students whose home addresses fall within their attendance boundaries— and those are the schools you’ll find on this list!
Ready to start exploring? Let’s go!
1. Martin Weiss Elementary School
This K-5 school provides leadership in educational excellence to the Oak Cliff area, but with a 4/10 on GreatSchools, it’d be easy to overlook. Still, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are performing far above average on standardized tests, when normalized for parent income, making it one of the best Dallas schools!
Located a 16 minute drive from Dallas Downtown Historic District, this school’s zip code has a median sale price of $179,800. That’s $122 per square foot, making this neighborhood very affordable compared to Dallas’s overall average of $202 psf.
With an overall A score on SchoolSparrow, great diversity stats, an affordable neighborhood location, and an emphasis on cultivating student leaders, Martin Weiss deserves a place on your school search list!
Address: 8601 Willoughby Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75232
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/weiss
2. Forestridge Elementary School
Forestridge achieves an A- rating on SchoolSparrow, and it’s no mystery why: its 4th, 5th, and 6th graders all achieve at an A- level or higher on standardized tests when normalized for parent income!
This K-5 school scores around average according to GreatSchools rating (6/10), but if you look a little closer—at the school’s fantastic diversity score, for example—you’ll see that Forestridge is well worth a visit.
Plus, Forestridge is located only 20 minutes away from the Downtown Historic District, and its housing prices are, on average, lower than Dallas overall. Zip code 75243 has a $289,200 median sale price, which comes out to $123 per square foot.
Although Forestridge has a Dallas address, this school is part of the Richardson Independent School District.
Address: 10330 Bunchberry Drive, Dallas, TX 75243
Website: https://schools.risd.org/ForestridgeES
3. Kleberg Elementary School
“Kids First, Kids Second, Kids Always” is Kleberg’s motto, and it’s clear that their student-focused teaching makes a difference. Kleberg’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders all score above expected on standardized tests, ranking them as one of the best elementary schools in Dallas!
A special shoutout to Kleberg’s 3rd graders, who are scoring at A+ level according to SchoolSparrow ratings!
Kleberg boasts a median price of $129 per square foot, and the median price of homes listed in its zip code is $205,400, making it generally more affordable than the Dallas average, though it’s only 20 minutes from downtown.
Address: 1450 Edd Road, Dallas, TX 75253
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/kleberg
4. Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School
This K-5 school, which serves the Vickery Meadows community, boasts both great test scores and great diversity stats— a perfect combination for a top Dallas school!
Don’t dismiss Jack Lowe just because it only scores 6/10 on GreatSchools. Its 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are all scoring at A- or above, earning it an A overall, according to SchoolSparrow rankings!
Located only 14 minutes from Dallas’s Downtown Historic District, Jack Lowe’s zip code has a median list price per square foot of $155 and a median home value of $177,713.
Address: 7000 Holly Hill Drive, Dallas, TX 75231
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/lowe
5. Julius Dorsey Elementary School
With a fair diversity score and even better test scores, Julius Dorsey deserves a place on your family’s school search! 3rd and 5th graders score at an A+ level, according to SchoolSparrow rankings, with 4th graders following close behind with an A!
Though GreatSchools rates this K-5 school 6 out of 10, its normalized test scores suggest it deserves closer to a 9 or 10. “Igniting Excellence, Every Day in Every Way!” is Dorsey’s motto, and these scores are hard evidence that this school practices what it preaches. Go Wildcats!
Dorsey’s zip code is the most affordable on our list, with a median list price per square foot of $116— almost $90 psf lower than the Dallas average! Overall, the median price of listed homes in 75217 is $150,000.
Address: 133 North Saint Augustine Rd., Dallas, TX 75217
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/Domain/504
Bonus: Leslie A. Stemmons Elementary School
Don’t be fooled by the 5/10 rating GreatSchools gives Stemmons. Students at this school perform at a solid B level, according to SchoolSparrow rankings, and their fourth graders are doing especially well!
Only 17 minutes drive from downtown, the median list price per square foot in the Stemmons zip code is $167, with a median listed home price of $209,000.
If you’re looking for a close-knit community that’s dedicated to your child’s academic and social success, be sure to take a second look at Stemmons!
Address: 2727 Knoxville Street, Dallas, TX 75211
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/stemmons
My daughter Megan Murphy has taught 6th grade at Forestridge elementary for 20 years. The school has such dedicated teachers and a wonderful principal !