SETTLING DOWN

BECOMING LEGAL Driver’s License



In order to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license (legally required after 30 days residence) a newcomer from another state must: 1) apply for a license at one of many testing stations in the Dallas area; 2) produce a certified copy of his or her birth certificate; 3) pass a written examination; 4) pass a driving skill test if the old out-of-state license has expired; 5) undergo an eye test to determine if corrective lenses are needed; 6) be 18 or older. Persons 15 to 17 years of age may be licensed only if they have completed a certified driver education program.

Texas is one of several states that do not require you to surrender your old driver’s license.



Vehicle Registration



Out-of-state vehicles may be registered for Texas license tags in various locations in Dallas County. Substations of the county tax assessor’s office, which handles the registrations, are located on all four sides of the county.

When arriving in Texas to establish residence, you should: 1) have your vehicle’s serial number verified through an inspection at a service station or car dealership; 2) surrender your out-of-state title; 3) apply for registration within 30 days of moving here; 4) pay a $15 new residents’ fee, plus a $3 title fee and the cost of your license tags (cost based on weight of the vehicle), which are required on both front and rear. Subsequent re-registration may be handled by mail. Call 749-8621 for further information.



Auto Inspection

All vehicles registered in Texas must be inspected every 12 months for safety. Fee for an inspection sticker, which is applied to the lower left-hand corner of the windshield and shows the number of the month in which the inspection was performed, is $5 plus the cost of any required repairs to lights, horn, windshield wipers, brakes, etc., to bring the vehicle up to established safety standards. Hundreds of inspection stations are scattered around the Dallas area at service stations, dealerships, garages, and most major department store auto service departments.



Voter Registration

Becoming a qualified voter in Texas is much simpler than it once was. You must be 1) an American citizen; 2) 18 years of age or older; and 3) a resident of the city, county, and state for at least 30 days. Voter registration can usually be handled by mail, simply by filling out a form and returning it to the county tax assessor’s office at least 31 days prior to an election.

You may register at any time during the year. To begin the process, call the voter registration office, 749-8871, or any of the following Dallas County subcourthouses: Duncanville, 298-5885; Farmers Branch, 247-7906; Garland, 276-8502; Grand Prairie, 264-2444; Irving, 254-6102; Lancaster, 227-2177; Mesquite, 285-6318; Oak Cliff, 943-7451; Richardson, 231-1459.



Pet Care

The City of Dallas and most surrounding suburbs have leash laws that prohibit dogs from running loose. Dogs that are not kept on leashes, indoors, or in fenced enclosures may be impounded.

Annual vaccinations for rabies are required for both dogs and cats, but city licenses are required only for dogs. If the animal has been spayed or neutered, the fee is $3 per year; otherwise, it is $8.

Certain exotic pets are prohibited in the various municipalities. For further information on City of Dallas ordinances, call the city health department’s Animal Control Center, 388-0568. In suburban cities, check with your local city hall.

Emergency vet services are available at the Emergency Animal Clinic, Inc., 13021 Coit Rd., Suite 118, Coit Plaza. You can call them between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, from noon Saturday until 7 a.m. Monday, and 24 hours a day on holidays. Call 661-2112.



Exemption

Every homeowner living within the Dallas Independent School District has the right to claim an exemption of $5000 per year of the total assessed value of the house in which he lives. This exemption applies to city school taxes.

To qualify, the homeowner must either have title to the property on January 1 of the tax year or have signed a mortgage contract or purchase contract on or before that time. An affidavit claiming the homestead exemption must be filed annually. To receive an affidavit or obtain further information, call 741-7501.



DAILY SURVIVAL

Referral Services

North Dallas Dental Referral Service; 8345 Walnut Hill Ln., Suite 100, Dallas, 75231;691-8187.

Community Council of Greater Dallas Information and Referral Service; specializing in health, welfare, and recreation services and agencies; 747-3711.

Lawyer Referral Service; sponsored by the Dallas Bar Association, can arrange an appointment for $15 per 30-minute consultation; 745-1227.

The Dallas County Medical Society has a referral service that can refer you to an M.D. Callers usually are given the names of three doctors from which to choose. The society can also tell you the credentials (schooling and training, certifications, and age) of member doctors; 526-5090.



COMMUNITY

PROFILES

Dallas

General- population 904,078; 378 square miles.

Local government – Council-manager (11 councilmen, three elected at-large and eight from representative districts).

Education – Dallas Independent School District operates a total of 210 public educational facilities; some areas of North Dallas are also served by Richardson Independent School District; Southern Methodist University, and El Centra, Richland, Mountain View, and Dallas Baptist colleges are all within Dallas’ corporate limits.

Medical facilities – Seven major medical centers, plus more than 25 smaller hospitals.

Public recreation – 271 parks and park sites (including all or part of five major lakes), encompassing more than 20,000 acres of land.

Utilities – Dallas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: 47 stations; police: 1994 officers; library: Central Public Library, plus 17 branch libraries.

Points of interest – Entertainment: Fair Park, Cotton Bowl, six museums, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Convention Center, Reunion Arena. Historical: Swiss Avenue, Munger Place, South Boulevard and West End Historical District, John Neely Bryan cabin, Dealey Plaza, Kennedy Memorial, Old City Park, Old Red Courthouse.

Shopping areas – 65 designated shopping malls and centers, plus the central business district and commercial strips along older major thoroughfares.

Chamber of Commerce – 1507 Pacific Ave., 75201; 651-1020.



Arlington

General – population 160,123; 99 square miles, 30 miles west of downtown Dallas.

Local government – Council-manager (seven councilmen including mayor).

Education – The Arlington Independent School District operates 36 schools; the University of Texas at Arlington serves the city for higher education.

Medical facilities-two major hospitals; one emergency center.

Public recreation – 35 public parks; two public golf courses; one lake, Lake Arlington.

Utilities -Texas Electric Service Co., Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public Services-Fire: eight stations; police: 201 officers; library: Arlington Public Library, plus three branch libraries.

Points of interest – Entertainment: Six Flags, Trader’s Village, Arlington Stadium, Arlington Community Theater.

Historical: Fielder House.

Shopping areas- two malls, three industrial shopping areas, central business district, and 20 shopping centers.

Chamber of Commerce-316 West Main, 76010; (817) 275-2613.



Carrollton

General-population 40,591; 30 square miles; 14 miles north of downtown Dallas. Local government – Council-manager (five councilmen, one mayor).

Education – Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District operates 18 schools.

Medical facilities-one hospital.

Public recreation – nine public parks, one pool, one recreational building.

Utilities –Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, General Telephone.

Public services-Fire: two stations, paid fire department; police: 53 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Shopping areas –five designated shopping centers, plus central business district.

Chamber of Commerce-1204 Metro Dr., 75006; 245-0444.



DeSoto

General-population- 15,538, 20.5 square miles; 13 miles south of downtown Dallas.

Local government-Council-manager (seven councilmen).

Education – DeSoto Independent School District operates six schools.

Medical facilities- two hospitals.

Public recreation – three public parks, three pools, two recreational buildings.

Utilities –Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: two stations with 46 firemen (mostly volunteers); police: 27 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Shopping areas-seven small designated centers.

Chamber of Commerce-1001 E. Pleasant Run Rd., 75115; 224-3565.



Duncanville

General- population 27,781; 12 square miles; 10 miles south of downtown Dallas. Local government – Council-manager (seven councilmen).

Education – Duncanville Independent School District operates 10 schools; Mountain View College nearby.

Medical facilities- one hospital.

Public recreation – eight parks, two pools. Utilities- Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: two stations; police: 33 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Points of interest – Historical: Abandoned Nike missile base now houses state offices; Camp Wisdom fossil formations nearby.

Shopping areas-five designated shopping centers.

Chamber of commerce-300 E. Wheat-land Rd., 75116; 298-6128.



Farmers Branch

General- population 24,863; 12 square miles; adjacent to and west of North Dallas.

Local governent-Council-manager (six councilmen, including mayor – all at-large elected).

Education – Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District operates 18 schools.

Medical facilities-one hospital.

Public recreation- 15 public parks on 120.17 acres.

Utilities-Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: 2 paid employees; police: 51 officers; library: Manske Memorial Library, no branches.

Points of interest-Historical: The Historical Trail plus historical markers.

Shopping areas- two centers.

Chamber of Commerce-1204 Metro Dr., Carrollton, 75006; 245-0444.



Garland

General- population 138,857; 57 square miles; 15 miles northeast of downtown Dallas.

Local government – Council-manager (nine councilmen).

Education – Garland Independent School District, 45 schools; Richland College, Eastfield College, and Abilene Christian College Metro Campus nearby. Medical facilities- three hospitals.

Public recreation – 62 public parks, five recreational buildings.

Utilities-Texas Power & Light, Garland Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, General Telephone.

Public services -Fire: five stations;

police: 137 officers; library: one main library, two branches.

Points of interest-Entertainment: Lake Ray Hubbard nearby.

Shopping areas – 35 designated shopping centers, plus central business district.

Chamber of Commerce – 914 S. Garland Ave., 75040; 272-7551.



Highland Park

General – population 8909; 2.5 square miles; surrounded by the city of Dallas.

Local government – Council-mayor (five councilmen, one mayor).

Education – Highland Park Independent School District, six schools; Southern Methodist University nearby.

Medical facilities – none.

Public recreation – eight public parks, one swimming pool.

Utilities – Dallas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services – Fire: one station, 18 paid firemen; police: 32 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Points of interest -Entertainment: Ownby Stadium, McFarland Auditorium on SMU campus. Historical: Highland Park Village, one of the first modern shopping centers in Dallas.

Shopping areas – three small centers.

Chamber of Commerce – North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Rd., Dallas 75230; 368-6485.



Mesquite

General – population 67,053; 34.3 square miles; 13 miles east of downtown Dallas.

Education – Mesquite Independent School District, 27 schools; Eastfield College.

Medical facilities – three hospitals.

Pubic recreation – 34 public parks, four swimming pools, two recreational buildings, one public golf course.

Utilities – Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services – Fire: five stations; police: 89 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Points of interest – Entertainment: Mesquite Championship Rodeo (Fri. and Sat., April-September), Lake Ray Hubbard nearby. Historical: Old Motley Cemetery (on Eastfield College campus), Galloway and Lawrence (“Tower House”) homes; site of old Town of Scyene nearby.

Shopping areas – two regional malls (Town East and Big Town), plus seven other designated centers, and central business district.

Chamber of Commerce – 617 N. Ebrite St., 75149; 285-0211.



Piano

General – population 72,331; 46.9 square miles; 19 miles north of downtown Dallas (in Collin County).

Local government – Council-manager (six councilmen).

Education – Piano Independent School District, 26 schools; University of Texas at Dallas nearby.

Medical facilities – one hospital.

Public recreation – 35 public parks, two indoor swimming pools, three recreational buildings, one public golf course.

Utilities – Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, General Telephone.

Public services – Fire: four stations; police: 98 officers; library: two branch libraries.

Shopping areas – 27 designated centers, plus central business district.

Chamber of Commerce – 1200E. 15th St., 75074; 424-7547.



Richardson

General – population 72,496; 28.5 square miles; 15 miles north of downtown Dallas.

Local government – Council-manager (seven councilmen).

Education – Richardson Independent School District, 49 schools; UTD, Rich-land College nearby.

Medical facilities – one hospital.

Public recreation – 16 public parks, five swimming pools, two recreational buildings, one public golf course.

Utilities – Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services – Fire: four stations; police: 115 officers; library: one main library.

Shopping areas – 20 designated centers, plus central business district.

Chamber of Commerce – 318 E. Main St., 75081;234-4141.



University Park

General – population 22,254; four square miles; surrounded by the city of Dallas.

Local government – General law commission (two councilmen, one mayor).

Education – Highland Park Independent School District, six schools; SMU.

Medical facilities – none.

Public recreation – five public parks, one swimming pool.

Utilities – Dallas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services – Fire: one station with 33 paid firemen; police: 33 officers; library: none.

Points of interest – Entertainment: Ownby Stadium, McFarland Auditorium on SMU campus.

Shopping areas – five designated centers. Chamber of Commerce- North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Rd., Dallas 75230; 368-6485.



PRIVATE SCHOOLS

The Alexander School, 13999 Goldmark; 690-9210. Founded in 1975: Coed, grades 8-12. Tuition: $4280. 100 students, 20 teachers, 16 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: About nine out of 10 applications are accepted but frequently students are referred to other schools before the application process actually begins. Requirements include previous school records, an achievement test administered by the school, and a personal interview. No waiting list.

Campus: Housed in an office complex in Keystone Park. No outdoor facilities, but school is handsomely furnished and affords plenty of windows for light.

General description: A totally individualized curriculum that can be used to get a student with problems back on the track so that he or she can return to the previous school environment and perform well. Program includes group counseling every Friday to impart coping skills to students. Evening program is available to students at other schools, for example, those who want to enter more stringent academic programs and need special preparation for the entrance tests required. Average combined SAT score: 1100.



Bethel Lutheran School, 11211 E. Northwest Highway; 348-8375. Founded in 1959: Coed, 3 years-6th grade. Tuition: $675-$990. 130 students, six teachers, one with an advanced degree.

Admissions: Most applications are accepted. Children with learning disabilities are not accepted. Metropolitan reading test required for 1st grade readiness, previous school records required for other grades. No waiting list.

Campus: Located at Jupiter and Northwest Highway. School building, gym, playground.

General description: Religious education stressing individual attention for students.



Bishop Dunne High School, 3900 Rugged Drive; 339-6561. Founded in 1961: Coed, grades 8-12. Tuition: $1100-$1350. 725 students, 45 teachers, 22 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Requirements include a placement test plus a follow-up interview with parents and child. Previous school records also required. Eight or nine of every 10 applications are accepted.

Campus: Two miles northeast of Red-bird Mall between Highway 67 and Loop 12. Fifteen acres in a residential setting with a main building and a stadium for athletics.

General description: Traditional college preparatory requiring heavy academic loads. Students come from Oak Cliff and a number of nearby suburbs, including DeSoto, Grand Prairie, and Duncanville. A high percentage of non-Catholic students: 33 per cent. Outstanding programs include foreign language (German, French, Spanish) and a band that was named outstanding Catholic high school band in the nation last year. Average combined SAT score: 950.



Bishop Lynch High School, 9750 Ferguson Road; 324-3607. Founded in 1963: Coed, grades 9-12. Tuition: $1350. 650 students, 43 teachers.

Admissions: Nearly all applications are accepted. Requirements include clearance from elementary school and placement test.

Campus: Located on 22 acres in the Casa View/Casa Linda area; campus includes a school building, gym, and football field.

General description: Catholic education for the college-bound student, with outstanding speech and fine arts programs. Students are known for their maturity and well-developed sense of community. Average combined SAT score: 873.



Catholic Diocese of Dallas, 3915 Lemmon Avenue; 528-2360. Tuition: $550-$2000. 32 elementary schools, eight secondary, and two special schools all under Diocese’s jurisdiction. 13,123 students, 662 teachers, 230 with advanced degrees.



Cistercian Preparatory School, Route 2, Box 1, Irving; 438-4956. Founded in 1962: Boys, grades 5-12. Tuition: $2250-$2500. 215 students, 26 teachers, 21 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: One out of every two applications is accepted. Requirements include previous school records demonstrating high academic achievement.

Campus: Located on the banks of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River by Highway 114 between Texas Stadium and Las Col-inas. Three buildings include two science labs, language lab, gym, and stage for theatrical productions.

General description: Catholic education in a sequential curriculum. Each class is assigned to a “form master,” who counsels that class through each grade to graduation. High academic standards throughout, with four languages offered and an outstanding American history program. Calculus and physics, among others, required for graduation. Average combined SAT score: 1238.



The Episcopal School of Dallas, 4100 Merrell Road at Midway; 358-4368. Founded in 1974: Coed, 5th grade is being added this year to extend their regular 7th-12th grade program. Tuition: $3450-$4150. 177 students, 29 teachers, 17 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: About one out of every 10 applications is accepted. Requirements include a test administered by the school, previous school records, and a personal interview. There is a waiting list of accepted applicants.

Campus: Located on 22 acres in North Dallas, the campus includes a small lake and a 2400-square-foot gym which currently houses all classroom activities. Construction will be complete in the summer of 1982.

General description: Standard curriculum emphasizing disciplined thinking. Average class size: 15-20. Average combined SAT scores withheld.



Good Shepherd Episcopal School, 11122 Midway Road; 357-1610. Founded in 1960: Coed, 3 years-8th grade. Tuition: $415-$ 1300. 412 students, 32 teachers, five with advanced degrees.

Admissions: About three out of every 10 applications are accepted. Requirements include previous school records and a personal interview. Currently a waiting list for all grades.

Campus: Located at Midway and Northaven roads. Buildings include preschool, lower school, upper school, library, and reading laboratory.

General description: Standard private school ambience with several unique features, including Spanish taught from kindergarten on and a reading enrichment program which is mandatory from the 4th grade on.



Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 2620 W. Grauwyler, Irving; 254-9102. Founded in 1963: Coed, 3 years-5th grade. Tuition: $450-$855 for nonmembers, $450-$765 for members. 95 students, five teachers, one with advanced degree.

Admissions: Most applications are accepted. Requirements include previous school records. Waiting list for 4-year-olds.

Campus: Housed in a church building with a playground.

General description: A community school serving children performing at grade level.



Grace Lutheran School, 1523 S. Beckley; 946-4967. Founded in 1950: Coed, K-7th grade. 80 students, five teachers, one with advanced degree. Tuition: $810.

Admissions: Most applications are accepted. Sometimes testing is required if a student does not appear be performing at grade level.

Campus: Located in Oak Cliff between Illinois and Clarendon, just east of Thornton Freeway. Church’s lower level provides some classrooms.

General description: Originally founded as a congregational school serving its white membership, the school is now a community school serving mostly black, nonmembers of the church. Parents include a number of DISD teachers wanting a better education for their children.



The Greenhill School, 14255 Midway Road; 661-1211. Founded in 1950: Coed, 3 1/2 years-12th grade. Tuition: $1480-$3610. 1000 students, 100 teachers, 40 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Between five and six of every 10 applications are accepted. Requirements include testing for intelligence and placement and to determine whether applicant can do college preparatory work. For the 5th grade and up, two personal interviews are required, plus previous school records, and recommendations from former teachers. The school generally looks for students who perform in the top 20 per cent. Grades five through eight are usually filled; grade one and the upper school (9-12) are usually available.

Campus: Located on 83 acres in far North Dallas. Gym, eight tennis courts, 35,000-volume library, theater.

General description: Generally considered the best coed private school in Dallas. A rigorous college preparatory program. No self-contained classrooms through 8th grade, but classes are structured. Strong performance in all academic fields. Outstanding tennis and soccer. New computer science curriculum for grades K and up. Average combined SAT score: 1092.



The Hockaday School, 11600 Welch Road; 363-6311. Founded in 1913: Girls, 4 years-12th grade. Tuition: $1300-$3745. 772 students, 75 teachers, 42 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Applications are received continuously. Testing begins in February and is conducted periodically throughout the spring. Girls are admitted in order of ranking obtained through testing and other requirements, including previous academic records, personal recommendations, and personal interviews. Approximately 35 per cent of the upper school applicants are accepted for admission.

Campus: Located on 100 acres along Forest Lane. Facilities include academic quadrangle built around gardens and terraces, a 25,000-volume library, two gymnasiums, an indoor swimming pool, extensive tennis facilities, a ceramics studio with outdoor kilns, and a computer room. Boarding facilities available.

General description: Considered the premier girls’ school of Dallas, founded on the principles of scholarship, character, courtesy, and athletics. Wide-ranging, highly demanding academic program, with emphasis on sports. Special programs include coordinated classes in selected subjects with St. Mark’s School, English as a second language for foreign students. Average combined SAT score: 1083.



Holy Cross Lutheran School, 11425 Marsh Lane; 358-43%. Founded in 1962: Coed, 3 years-6th grade. Tuition: none as such; free to church members, non-members make donation to church. 175 students, eight teachers, three with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Requirements include testing for grade and developmental placement at 1st and 2nd grade levels. Waiting list averages about five per grade.

Campus: Housed in modern building with library and music facilities connected; gymnasium, playground, and playing fields.

General description: Program designed for students performing at or above grade level, with emphasis on inculcation of religious values.

Jesuit College Preparatory School, 12345 Inwood Road; 387-8707. Founded in 1942: Boys, grades 9-12. Tuition: $2100. 700 students, 49 teachers, 25 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: About two out of three applications are accepted. Requirements include achievement test, previous school records, and a personal interview. There is a waiting list for the 9th grade. No transfers are allowed unless the student is coming from a similar educational environment.

Campus: Located on 26 acres just west of Dallas North Tollway. Facilities include a large main building, a football stadium seating 8000, a gym, an all-weather track, and playing fields.

General description: Catholic education stressing the development of the intellect through a demanding academic curriculum and disciplined habits of study. Average combined SAT score: 950.

Lakehill Preparatory School, 2720 Hillside; 826-2931. Founded in 1970: Coed, K-12th grade. Tuition: $899-$3085. 280 students, 33 teachers, 17 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Requirements include admissions testing, previous school records, and a personal interview. Currently a waiting list for kindergarten.

Campus: Hillside at Vickery, situated within Lakewood, the primary area the school serves. Leases facilities from Lakewood Baptist Church. Gymnasium under construction.

General description: The only private school in East Dallas that has no religious affiliation. Considers itself in a league with the best private schools in Dallas, but with a smaller, more family-like atmosphere. Average combined SAT score: 975.



The Lamplighter School, 11611 Inwood Road; 369-9201. Founded in 1953: Coed, 3 years-4th grade. Tuition: $1000-$2750. 420 students, 36 teachers, 17 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Informal interview and evaluation for preschool. Interview and evaluation plus previous school records (if applicable) for K-4th grade.

Campus: Twelve acres at the corner of Inwood Road and Forest Lane. A rambling, modified open-plan school with facilities including open fields, a playground, greenhouse, and a barn with barnyard animals.

General description: Dallas’ leading private school for the early grades. Provides a strong academic foundation with special emphasis on motor development, fine arts, foreign language, animal life, and early introduction to computers. National advisory board evaluates programs each year.



Lutheran High School of Dallas, 12330 Preston Road; 239-0213. Founded in 1976: Coed, grades 7-12. Tuition: $1650. 130 students, 11 teachers, five with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Nine out of 10 applications are accepted. Requirements include previous school records and a personal interview. No waiting list.

Campus: Located north of the Aerobics Center on Preston Road. Leases facilities from Churchill Way Presbyterian Church. Classrooms, chapel facilities, limited athletic fields. Average combined SAT scores: 1025.



The Parish Day School of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest; 239-8011. Founded in 1972: Coed, 3 years-6th grade. Tuition: $473-$1411. 235 students, 25 teachers, two with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Currently a waiting list for four-year-olds, kindergarten, and third grade. Requirements include testing, previous records, and an interview.

Campus: Located at Spring Valley and Hillcrest on 10 acres including preschool building, grade school building, three portable buildings plus Parish Hall which is used as a cafeteria and auditorium.

General description: Small, unstructured classes.



St. John’s Episcopal School, 848 Harter Road; 328-9131. Founded in 1953: Coed, 3 years-6th grade. Tuition: $1025-$1670. 250 students, 17 teachers, five with advanced degrees.

Admissions: For grades one through six, testing is required for admission and placement.

Campus: Located on 10 acres near White Rock Lake, one block east of Buckner Boulevard. Housed in church facilities with playground, but no gym.



St. Mark’s School of Texas, 10600 Preston Road; 363-6491. Founded in 1933 as the Texas Country Day School. Merged with the Cathedral School in 1949 and became St. Mark’s: Boys, grades 1-12. Tuition: $2500-$3300. 740 students, 70 teachers, 42 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Testing every February and March, personal interview, plus parents must write an essay about the applicant. Teacher and school recommendations also required. Seniors not accepted unless their family is newly arrived in Dallas. No waiting list per se. All applicants must reapply every spring. Entrance requirements are stringent.

Campus: Located on 40 acres south of the intersection of Preston Road and Royal Lane. School officials call their facility the “most completely equipped independent day school in the country.” Facilities include a planetarium/observatory, elaborately equipped areas for science, math, arts, and athletics. School has its own low-power FM radio station. Its 30,000-volume library includes a media center outfitted with microfilm and videotape equipment.

General description: What Hockaday is to girls, St. Mark’s is to boys: college preparation with emphasis on a rigorous academic program plus active participation and self-development in the areas of both arts and athletics. Says one school official: “this is a doing kind of place.” Nationally ranked debate team. Excellence in individual sports (specifically, tennis and swimming). Freshman class spends 10 days in the Pecos wilderness on the occasion of entering upper school. Other camping and leadership programs in middle and upper school. Average combined SAT scores: 1184.



The Saint Michael School, 8011 Douglas; 691-8681. Founded in 1950: Coed, 3 years-6th grade. Tuition: $920-$1320. 417 students, 29 teachers, 11 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Preschool children are interviewed and informally evaluated. Achievement tests are administered to other applicants as openings occur.

Campus: Facilities of St. Michael and All Angels Church, at the corner of Douglas and Colgate. Two classroom buildings, a gym, two playgrounds, a playing field, and an all-weather basketball court.

General description: Provides a traditional education foundation with enrichments that include Spanish for preschool-3rd grade and French for grades 4-6; appearances by visiting authors and artists; and an emphasis on the student’s discovery of his or her unique talentsand how to develop and direct them.



Ursuline Academy, 4900 Walnut Hill Lane; 363-6551. Founded in 1874: Girls, grades 9-12. Tuition: $1800. 650 students, 50 teachers, 25 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: About two out of three applications are accepted. Requirements include a placement test, a personal interview, and evaluation forms sent to feeder parochial schools. There is a waiting list for the 9th grade. Generally the school does not accept seniors unless they have recently moved to Dallas.

Campus: Located on 28 acres in North Dallas. Facilities include a gym, an art building, playing fields, and tennis courts.

General description: Provides a highly regarded education. Ten per cent of students are non-Catholic. Special programs include Government in Action, in which selected seniors do an internship in the justice system in Dallas. Selected juniors enter special humanities program studying American life through history, literature, and art. Also a strong community service program, in which students must complete 72 hours of volunteer work for graduation. Average combined SAT scores: 950.



The Walden Preparatory School, 14552 Montfort Drive; 233-6883. Founded in 1970: Coed, grades 9-12 or ages 14-19. Tuition: $2204. 75 students, 10 teachers, six with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Most qualified applicants are accepted. Requirements include previous school records, personal interview, and an appointment with a school counselor, and applicant’s attending two days of school as an observer. No waiting list. Students with learning disabilities are accepted.

Campus: Located in far North Dallas. Housed in a 5000-square-foot, multilevel redwood house on two wooded acres. No gymnasium.

General description: A private alternative school geared for students who have experienced failure in public school and have lost their motivation. Emphasis on arts, with classes in photography, drama, ceramics.



White Rock North Private School, 9727 White Rock Trail; 348-7410. Founded in 1965: Coed, 2 years-7th grade. Tuition: $590-$2135. 325 students, 22 teachers, five with advanced degrees.

Admissions: All qualified applicants are accepted. Requirements include previous school records and a physical exam. No waiting list.

Campus: Located in the Lake Highlands area. Two new 10,000-square-foot buildings, including a 5200-square-foot gym. Indoor heated swimming pool. Two acres of play space, live animals (horses, farm animals) on campus.

General description: A highly structured program geared to students working at or above grade level. A summer camping program is included.

Zion Lutheran School, 6121 E. Lovers Lane; 363-1630. Founded in 1948: Coed, 3 years-8th grade. Tuition: $378-$l 125. 250 students, 12 teachers, eight with advanced degrees.

Admissions: About one out of every three applications is accepted. Requirements include previous school records and a personal interview. There is a waiting list for all grades except 6th and 8th, which are filled.

Campus: Seven acres at the corner of Lovers Lane and Skillman. Instructional facilities housed in church building. Athletic fields and playgrounds.

General description: Religious education, with programs that include a one-week outdoor education program for 7th graders and special emphasis on art.

– Carol Edgar

The following private schools cater to the needs of children who are struggling with reading problems and learning disabilities:

Dallas Academy, 950 Tiffany Way; 324-1481. Founded in 1967: Coed, grades 7-12 with post high school year available. Tuition: $3600, $8300 for boarding students. 44 students, nine teachers, four with advanced degrees.

Admissions: About two out of three applications are accepted. Requirements include recent IQ and diagnostic testing to confirm a learning and/or reading disability. Recent achievement testing also required. Personal interview includes spending an entire day at the school. Student must have demonstrated potential for average intelligence and must not have severe behavior problems. Occasionally there is a waiting list.

Campus: Located on four acres near White Rock Lake in the building which previously housed St. John’s School, which is next door. Students from out of town are housed at Buckner Children’s Home, with transportation provided by the school.

General description: Originally founded by former Dallas Mayor Wallace Savage for children with severe brain damage, the school has evolved into an alternative to public schools featuring remedial courses in reading, math, writing, and study skills for students with learning disabilities. Vocational training included.

Dean Memorial Learning Center, 2100 Welborn; 522-2960. Founded in 1970: Coed, K-8th grade. Tuition: $2400-$3200. 90 students, 15 teachers, eight with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Referrals from physicians. Interviews required.

Campus: In the Oak Lawn area, housed in what used to be an orphanage.

General description: Small classes provide students with the special attention they need. Program is geared to assist those with specific language learning disabilities.



The Fairhill Schools, 6039 Churchill Way; 233-1026. Founded in 1971: Coed, K-12th grade. Tuition: $3000-$3200. 125 students, 15 teachers, 12 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Children of average or above average intelligence with learning disabilities requiring a smaller academic setting are asked to interview with director. Previous test results are reviewed before admission.

Campus: The old Lamplighter campus on five wooded acres with athletic facilities.

General description: Average class consists of 14 students. Oral and written language, math, and science classes are emphasized.



Shelton School and Evaluation Center,

5002 W. Lovers Ln; 343-9227. Founded in 1975: preschool-8th grade. Tuition: $4565. 100 students, 21 teachers, 16 with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Children with specific learning disabilities are welcomed as well as those of better than average intelligence who may require more intensive instruction. Interviews required.

Campus: Newly housed in the old Lovers Lane Methodist Church; 50,000 square feet.

General description: Average class consists of seven students. Placement service available for adults.



Winston School, 5707 Royal Ln.; 691-6950. Founded in 1973: Coed, grades 1-9. Tuition: $4300, plus $300 for lunches. 150 students, 30 teachers, six with advanced degrees.

Admissions: Interviews required and two days of visitation by student requested. Programs are designed for children of average or above average intelligence who have some kind of learning disability as diagnosed by a Childrens’ Medical Center physician.

Campus: On old Greenhill School campus in three-year-old buildings.

General description: Administrators wish to have positive impact upon public schools and the teaching profession at large. Programs are designed to emphasize a student’s strengths. Classes in drama, photography, and music.