Best Schools in Dallas, Texas
480 schools · 279 Elementary · 70 Middle · 85 High · 46 Other
Choosing a school in Dallas?
Use this page to compare every school in Dallas by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Michael M Boone EL
Elementary · Highland Park ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Dallas Hybrid Preparatory at Stephen J Hay
Middle · Dallas ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lakewood EL
Elementary · Dallas ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dallas for 2026 are Michael M Boone EL (9.8/10), Dallas Hybrid Preparatory at Stephen J Hay (9.7/10), and Lakewood EL (9.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
480
385 public · 95 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$406,844
home value · ACS
Districts
35
serving the city
Schools
480
385 public · 95 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$406,844
home value · ACS
Districts
35
serving the city
Rates 9.5/10 despite 96% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.5 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Dallas schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +23.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Dallas schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Dallas
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 480). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael M Boone EL | 9.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Dallas Hybrid Preparatory at Stephen J Hay | 9.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Lakewood EL | 9.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Trinity Heights Gifted and Talented School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Rosie Sorrells Education and Social Services H S | 9.6 / 10 |
| 6 | George B Dealey Montessori Academy | 9.6 / 10 |
| 7 | University Park EL | 9.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Golden Rule | 9.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Solar Preparatory School for Girls at Bonham | 9.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Armstrong EL | 9.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $77,161
- Median home value
- $406,844
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 44%
42% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dallas compares
Texas rank
#348 of 654
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Texas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$77k
104% of Texas median
Schools in this city
453
Education Snapshot
Dallas, TexasDallas draws on 35 school districts and 480 schools to educate approximately 238,662 students — one of the largest public-school populations in Texas. The city's composite rating of 6.4/10 across 453 scored schools clears the Texas state average of 6.3/10 by a slim margin; that gap is more meaningful when set against the city's economic profile. The level split tilts heavily elementary: 279 elementary schools against 85 high schools and 70 middle schools, with 46 combined or alternative campuses rounding out the mix. Charter options account for 98 schools — roughly one in five — giving families wider public-school choice than many Texas metros of comparable size. Median household income of $71,100 runs 11% below the Texas state median of $79,932, and 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, two figures that sharpen how rating data should be read in context.
About Schools in Dallas, Texas
Dallas has one of the largest public school landscapes in Texas, with 374 ranked public schools spanning the city's many distinct neighborhoods and independent school districts. The city's average school score sits at 6.3 out of 10 — a useful baseline for parents entering their search, since performance varies sharply depending on which district boundary a home falls within.
The spread matters: 136 schools, or 36% of Dallas's ranked public schools, score 7 or higher out of 10. That means more than a third of the city's schools are performing at a solidly above-average level — a higher count of strong options than many comparably sized metros can offer. But the bottom two-thirds of the distribution pull the citywide average down, so zip code still does significant work here. Parents should treat the 6.3 average as a floor estimate for midtier options, not a ceiling.
At the top end, Dallas has legitimate standouts. Golden Rule Elementary leads the city at 9.7 out of 10, followed closely by Trinity Heights Gifted and Talented School (9.6) and School for the Talented and Gifted at the high school level (9.6). Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary (9.5) and Highland Park High School (9.4) round out the top five. Notably, four of the five top-rated schools are gifted or specialty programs — meaning admission often depends on program eligibility, not just home address. Highland Park High School is the exception: it feeds from the Highland Park Independent School District, one of the wealthiest and most sought-after traditional districts in Texas.
Practical takeaway for parents: Dallas rewards research. The citywide average undersells what's available if you're willing to dig into district boundaries and program options. Families targeting elementary years should look hard at both boundary schools and magnet or gifted pathways — the gap between an average neighborhood school and a specialty program can be three or four rating points. At the high school level, Highland Park ISD and the School for the Talented and Gifted represent the top of a genuinely competitive field. Map your address to the correct district first, then layer in program eligibility to build a real shortlist.
Elementary Schools
279 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 475 students · Pre-K–4th | 9.8 |
| 2 | 960 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.6 |
| 3 | 313 students · 1st–8th | 9.6 |
| 4 | 636 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.6 |
| 5 | 453 students · Pre-K–4th | 9.6 |
| 6 | 101 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.5 |
| 7 | 722 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.4 |
| 8 | 415 students · Pre-K–4th | 9.4 |
| 9 | 812 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.4 |
| 10 | 549 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
Show all 279 elementary schools in Dallas
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
70 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 148 students · 3rd–8th | 9.7 |
| 2 | 887 students · 5th–6th | 9.4 |
| 3 | 431 students · 6th–8th | 9.3 |
| 4 | 418 students · 6th–8th | 9.2 |
| 5 | 445 students · 3rd–8th | 9.1 |
| 6 | 501 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
| 7 | 382 students · 4th–8th | 9.0 |
| 8 | 968 students · 7th–8th | 8.8 |
| 9 | 1,240 students · 6th–8th | 8.6 |
| 10 | 501 students · 4th–8th | 8.5 |
Show all 70 middle schools in Dallas
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
85 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 171 students · 9th–12th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 469 students · 9th–12th | 9.3 |
| 3 | 495 students · 9th–12th | 9.2 |
| 4 | 963 students · 9th–12th | 8.9 |
| 5 | 491 students · 9th–12th | 8.9 |
| 6 | 2,177 students · 9th–12th | 8.9 |
| 7 | 513 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 8 | 480 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 9 | 546 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
| 10 | 287 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
Show all 85 high schools in Dallas
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
46 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 183 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 1,065 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 297 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 467 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.6 |
| 5 | 1,068 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.9 |
| 6 | 1,338 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.7 |
| 7 | 38 students · 7th–11th | 5.6 |
| 8 | 82 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.4 |
| 9 | 358 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.4 |
| 10 | 971 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.9 |
Show all 46 other schools in Dallas
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Dallas
Dallas, Texas · 480 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 51 ZIP codes
Median Income
$77,161
Median Home Value
$406,844
Median Rent
$1,470/mo
Population
1,502,299
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
44%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Community Profile
Dallas has a median household income of $77,161. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $406,844, with a median rent of $1,470/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Texas
- Elementary
- 279
- Middle
- 70
- High
- 85
- Other
- 46
School Districts (35)
TEXANS CAN ACADEMIES
13 schools · 3,608 students
PEGASUS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
1 school · 451 students
UPLIFT EDUCATION
45 schools · 22,815 students
ADVANTAGE ACADEMY
1 school · 971 students
NOVA ACADEMY
1 school · 83 students
ACADEMY OF DALLAS
1 school · 354 students
TRINITY BASIN PREPARATORY
7 schools · 6,631 students
ACADEMY FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
4 schools · 343 students
A W BROWN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
2 schools · 778 students
GATEWAY CHARTER ACADEMY
2 schools · 606 students
NOVA ACADEMY SOUTHEAST
2 schools · 365 students
A+ ACADEMY
2 schools · 1,649 students
INSPIRED VISION ACADEMY
2 schools · 1,255 students
GOLDEN RULE CHARTER SCHOOL
6 schools · 1,397 students
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL
2 schools · 330 students
KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
56 schools · 34,111 students
LA ACADEMIA DE ESTRELLAS
2 schools · 1,010 students
RICHLAND COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL
1 school · 275 students
CITYSCAPE SCHOOLS
2 schools · 1,230 students
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - NORTH TEXAS
16 schools · 10,272 students
UME PREPARATORY ACADEMY
4 schools · 1,567 students
LEGACY PREPARATORY
2 schools · 1,248 students
PIONEER TECHNOLOGY & ARTS ACADEMY
6 schools · 2,603 students
BRIDGEWAY PREPARATORY ACADEMY
1 school · 125 students
CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD
40 schools · 24,386 students
COPPELL ISD
16 schools · 13,414 students
DALLAS ISD
240 schools · 139,246 students
DUNCANVILLE ISD
19 schools · 11,761 students
GARLAND ISD
78 schools · 51,659 students
GRAND PRAIRIE ISD
39 schools · 26,638 students
HIGHLAND PARK ISD
8 schools · 6,437 students
IRVING ISD
38 schools · 31,485 students
MESQUITE ISD
51 schools · 38,265 students
PLANO ISD
77 schools · 47,899 students
RICHARDSON ISD
55 schools · 37,085 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Texas
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Dallas, Texas
How many schools are in Dallas, Texas?
Dallas has 480 schools, including 385 public and 95 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dallas, Texas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dallas is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Dallas, Texas?
The top-ranked school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is Michael M Boone EL with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dallas, Texas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is Michael M Boone EL with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Dallas, Texas?
The top-ranked middle school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is Dallas Hybrid Preparatory at Stephen J Hay with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best high school in Dallas, Texas?
The top-ranked high school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is Rosie Sorrells Education and Social Services H S with a composite score of 9.6/10.
How many school districts serve Dallas, Texas?
Dallas is served by 35 school districts: Texans Can Academies, Pegasus School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Uplift Education, Advantage Academy, Nova Academy, Academy of Dallas, Trinity Basin Preparatory, Academy for Academic Excellence, A W Brown Leadership Academy, Gateway Charter Academy, Nova Academy Southeast, A+ Academy, Inspired Vision Academy, Golden Rule Charter School, St Anthony School, Kipp Texas Public Schools, La Academia De Estrellas, Richland Collegiate High School, Cityscape Schools, Harmony Public Schools - North Texas, Ume Preparatory Academy, Legacy Preparatory, Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy, Bridgeway Preparatory Academy, Carrollton-farmers Branch ISD, Coppell ISD, Dallas ISD, Duncanville ISD, Garland ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, Highland Park ISD, Irving ISD, Mesquite ISD, Plano ISD, Richardson ISD.
What is the education level in Dallas, Texas?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Dallas have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dallas, Texas?
The median household income in Dallas is approximately $77,161 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dallas, Texas?
Yes, Dallas has 95 private schools alongside 385 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Westwood School with a score of 8.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dallas, Texas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dallas is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dallas, Texas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Texas Education Agency, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.