High demand leads Dallas ISD to launch new Montessori school

From Dallas ISD Staff Reports

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 year and is currently accepting applications.

“We have seen how families love our Montessori schools and are excited to provide this additional option for students,” said Angie Gaylord, deputy chief of the Dallas ISD office of transformation and innovation.

By offering a Montessori program and a Two-Way Dual Language program, students will have an opportunity to adapt to an independent learning environment while acquiring two languages — English and Spanish. Montessori instruction emphasizes student self-discovery and independence. Classrooms feature creative hands-on activities and small group and collaborative learning opportunities.

The Montessori Academy will start by enrolling pre-K to second grade for 2021–2022, adding a grade level each year up to fifth grade.

Dallas ISD already operates five pre-K-5th Montessori schools: George Bannerman Dealey, Downtown Montessori, Eduardo Mata, Onesimo Hernandez and Harry Stone. In last school year’s application count, there were approximately 2,500 applications for Montessori campuses to fill 700 seats. And just for George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy, 504 applied for 66 seats.

Dallas ISD will next be looking to open a new Montessori school in Pleasant Grove.

The sixth-through-eighth grades of E.D. Walker will remain designated as a neighborhood school. This secondary school currently offers three different pathways, which are set up to align with the pathways at W.T. White High school: two in performing arts and a Two-Way Dual Language pathway. The renovations are scheduled to end in the 2021 summer.