Newcomers to Dallas are the rule rather than the exception. Our city is a melting pot within a melting pot -the end of the rainbow for people from throughout the world.
No matter from where they hail, once here, these natives by choice and circumstance have many of the same things to deal with -strangeness of everything from faces and street names to Southern accents and temperatures. And it seems that when you are the new kid, even the other newcomers know something you missed.
Some knowledge comes only through nerve-racking experience -an afternoon stewed away on Central or a trip to the pound for an auto towed from a forbidden zone. Other knowledge will be sweeter and will come through time; you will one day discover a well-hidden fashion outlet or a jolly old neighbor who loves to change oil.
The following guide is designed to ease those trials and errors, and then set you on your way to enjoying life in Dallas. We hope it will be helpful whether you’ve considered Dallas home for an hour or a generation. However long or short your tenure may have been thus far, welcome!
SHOPPING
Shopping is almost unlimited in Dallas. There are 11 major shopping malls scattered across the city, with number 12 due to open this fall. In addition, there are more than 20 large shopping centers spread from Campbell Road in far North Dallas to Zang Boulevard in Oak Cliff. Smaller centers are located at almost every major intersection, and tiny specialty shops are tucked away in the most unexpected spots.
While Neiman-Marcus is still the grande dame of Dallas department stores, establishments such as Sakowitz, Saks Fifth Avenue and Marshall Field have arrived or are on their way. Specialty shops feature everything from Godiva chocolates to Marimekko fabrics.
Besides the large stores and malls, there is a host of small, hard-to-find places-jewels that dedicated shoppers andbrowsers love to discover. We’ll introduceyou to some of the favorite ones, placesworthy of day-long excursions. We’ll alsointroduce you to Dallas’ bargain basement-the best buys, the consignment shops,the popular garage sales -and to the bookthat put these shops on the map.
But first, before you attempt to find anything in Dallas-store or otherwise -seek out the nearest bookstore or office supply store and buy a copy of a Dallas Mapsco ($12). Published annually, the Mapsco is a compilation of close-up, reliable maps of every section of Dallas County.
MALLS ● NORTH
Caruth Plaza. Park Lane and Central Expressway. 750-4820. Spacious design encloses about 35 stores. including Aber-crombie & Fitch, the Cadillac of sporting goods stores; restaurants; and a movie theater.
Collin Creek Mall. 811 North Central Expressway at FM 544, Piano. 422-1070. Opened in 1981. Skylights and interesting design housing 135 shops.
The Corners. 9850 North Central Expressway at Walnut Hill. 361-8337. Restaurants, designer outlet, specialty shops.
Galleria. 5501 LBJ Freeway at Dallas Parkway. 934-3600. Scheduled to open in fall 1982, with major stores such as Marshall Field and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Highland Park Shopping Village. Preston Road at Mockingbird. 559-2740. One of Dallas’ oldest and most beautiful boutique-type shopping areas. Opened in 1931.
NorthPark Center. Northwest Highway at North Central Expressway. 363-7441. Four major stores (Neiman-Marcus, Jos-ke’s, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor) form the foundation of this 1,600,000-square-foot mall. More than 130 shops.
Old Town. Lovers Lane at Greenville Avenue. 750-1517. Serves an area of Dallas that is heavily populated with young singles. Opened in 1970. Has approximately 60 outlets, restaurants and clubs.
Prestonwood Town Center. Belt Line between Preston Road and Dallas North Tollway. 980-4275. One of Dallas’ most spectacular malls with an ice-skating rink, many places to eat, Neiman-Marcus and other major department stores.
Promenade Center. Coit Road between Arapaho and Belt Line. 231-5141. Selection of 125 specialty and clothing shops. Opened in 1968.
The Quadrangle. 2800 Routh between McKinney and Cedar Springs. 742-8679. Small, quaint shopping center; good for browsing.
Richardson Square Mall. 501 South Piano at Belt Line. 783-0117. Large assortment of stores, anchored by Dillard’s, Joske’s and Sears.
Sakowitz Village. Southeast corner of Belt Line and Dallas Parkway. 661-5661. A new fashion center filled with specialty boutiques well worth seeing.
Valley View Mall. LBJ Freeway at Preston Road. 661-2424. Large, varied mall anchored by Sanger Harris and Sears. Approximately 135 stores.
MALLS ● SOUTH
Red Bird Mall. Highway 67 at Camp Wisdom Road. 296-1491. Major stores are JCPenney, Sanger Harris, Sears and Joske’s.
Wynnewood Village. Illinois at South Zang. 943-4351. Traditional “strip” arrangement of long rows of stores and restaurants.
MALLS ● EAST
Big Town Mall. Highway 80 East at Loop 12. 327-4541. About 50 stores serving eastern suburbs. JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Sanger Harris and Woolworth’s are anchoring stores.
Lockwood Mall. Garland Road at Jupiter. 328-3161. Remodeled in 1975; contains about 20 stores plus the Commons of Lockwood flea market.
Town East Mall. LBJ Freeway between 1-20 and I-30, Mesquite. 270-2363. A clone of Valley View Mall with about 140 stores.
MALLS ● WEST
Irving Mall. Belt Line at Highway 183, Irving. 255-0571. Anchored by JCPenney, Sears, Joske’s.
Northgate Plaza. MacArthur Boulevard at Coker, Irving. 255-8506. Specialty shops set in buildings of Spanish design.
Northtown Mall. Forest Lane at Webb Chapel south of LBJ Freeway. 247-9666. Woolco, Montgomery Ward, and about 35 other stores and movie theaters.
Plymouth Park Center. Story Road at Highway 183, Irving. 259-4511. Primarily a convenience shopping facility. TrueVal-ue Hardware, M.E. Moses and Dillard’s are among the stores.
BROWSING
Big D Bazaar. 3636 North Buckner. 328-6117. Friday through Sunday 10 am-7 pm. Billed as the “antique center of Texas,” hundreds of vendors sell everything from junk to fine antiques at this indoor, air-conditioned market. It’s a perfect place to spend a Saturday.
Cutter Bill Western World. 5818 LBJ Freeway (across from Valley View Mall). 239-3742. Monday through Friday 10 am-9 pm; Saturday 10 am-6 pm. A legend in J.R.’s city for Western wear. Whether you’re interested in buying or just want to get acquainted with the market for well-dressed Dallas cowboys, this is the place.
Fairmount, Routh and Maple streets. These three streets in the Oak Lawn area (between McKinney and Cedar Springs) are lined with restored houses that have been converted to some of the finest antique shops and art galleries in the city. Most are within walking distance of each other.
Farmers Produce Market. Pearl and Central Expressway at South Harwood. 670-5879. A series of large sheds at the south end of downtown provides some of the season’s freshest fruits and vegetables from early spring to late fall. Truck farmers and produce wholesalers display their produce in this relaxed, old-fashioned atmosphere and sell at extremely reasonable prices.
Highland Park Shopping Village. Preston Road at Mockingbird. 559-2740. Although this is also listed under shopping centers, it deserves special mention as one of Dallas’ oldest and most-beautiful boutique-type shopping areas. An on-going renovation often introduces more high-fashion and exclusive shops. Don’t leave Highland Park without driving down Preston Road to Beverly Drive; you’ll see some of Dallas’ ritziest houses.
Knox and Henderson streets. Take this exit from Central, then head either east or west to find a string of interesting antique, floral-design and accessory shops. If you’re intrigued with acrylic, visit The Ice House, where most everything in the shop is clear. Knox Street between Cole and Travis will provide plenty of places to stop for lunch, including the fabled Highland Park Cafeteria and the Highland Park Pharmacy, with its popular grilled-cheese sandwiches and milk shakes.
Olla Podrida. Coit Road between Forest Lane and LBJ Freeway. 239-8541. Another shopping area, noteworthy because of its tenants -area artists sell their paintings, needlework, jewelry, pottery and other wares. Stop by The Upper Crust for a light, home-style lunch.
The Original Christmas Store. 388 Inwood Village (Lovers Lane at Inwood). 352-3539. You’ll have to wait until late fall to visit this store, but don’t miss it then. Hundreds of holiday exhibits, decorations, stockings and trees are displayed in a sparkling fairyland. Check newspapers for opening date and hours. If this store won’t kindle your Christmas spirit, nothing will.
Sale Street. Between Cedar Springs and Gillespie just off Turtle Creek Boulevard. A quaint block of turn-of-the-century houses, restored and converted into antique shops. Chatting with the shop owners is almost as much fun as browsing. Now would be a good time to take a walk through the Mansion on Turtle Creek; this gracious hotel is just down the street and around the corner.
SECONDHAND
Consignment shopping in Dallas means more than a trip to the Goodwill store. Several stores have the reputation of dressing some of the most up-and-coming junior executives and their spouses. Among these are the stores that sell “rich ladies’ clothes”-designer dresses worn once or twice before being replaced by something even more stylish. These are not thrift stores, so even though their prices are less than those at retail shops, don’t expect to find an Albert Nipon silk dress for $30. If you’re on the selling end, these shops will usually split the profits with you up to 50-50. What follows is only a partial list; several other stores are listed in the Yellow Pages under “clothing, used.”
Baubles and Beads Resale Boutique. 380 Promenade Center. 690-4692. Monday through Saturday, 10 am-6 pm; Thursdays till 8.
Clothes Horse Anonymous. 1413 Preston Forest Square. 233-6082. Monday through Wednesday and Friday 10 am-6 pm, Thursday till 8, Saturday till 5.
Gentlemen’s Gallery. 6011 Berkshire Lane. 363-0184. Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm; closed Monday.
Kid & Kaboodle Children’s Wear. 581 W. Campbell. 235-2858. Monday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm.
Man to Man. 375 Promenade Center. 231-2220. Monday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Thursday till 8.
NIT-PICKING
After one weekend in Dallas, you’ll notice the mania for garage sales. If you’re a shopper, check the classified ads in the newspapers for locations. Many people sit down with their Mapsco, Saturday morning paper and cup of coffee and plot their route for the day. When you’re out driving, signs on medians and in front yards will direct you to more sales.
If you want to give a garage sale to clear out some items after the move, the City of Dallas has a few regulations you should be aware of. Residents are allowed two garage sales per year. Each sale can run only three days. Signs shouldn’t be posted on utility poles or medians, but most people do so anyway. According to a source at City Hall, as long as the sign is put up each morning and removed each evening during the sale, no one is likely to say anything; if they do, it is usually just a warning. For other questions, call the City of Dallas, 670-4433.
Each suburb has its own rules governing garage sales, so if you live outside the Dallas city limits, check with your own city hall for regulations.
DISCOUNT
If good buys mean good times for you, put a copy of The Underground Shopper high on your list. The book’s authors scoured Dallas, finding and listing the best buys on everything from clothes to arts and crafts to clocks, hardware, musical instruments and sporting goods. For $3.95, it’s one of the best buys you can make.
AMUSEMENTS
Packing and moving a household is bad enough, but getting settled in a new town is about as much fun as cleaning fish. Take heart. After you’ve unpacked -or even before -you can discover hundreds of ways to entertain yourself in your new hometown.
Dallas isn’t a city that rolls up the streets when the 10 o’clock news begins. Whether your idea of a good time is driving through azalea-lined streets or soaring above the city in a hot-air balloon, you’ve come to the right place.
To help you get in the swing, we’ve compiled a calendar of Dallas traditions – events everyone looks forward to each year. Following this, we’ll introduce you to several favorite cultural, sporting and family pastimes. We know our lists are incomplete, but we hope to give you an idea of what is available.
January. Support the Southwest Conference’s winning football team at the Cotton Bowl game. Take the kids downtown for the parade that morning.
February. Put on your boots and hat and head west to Fort Worth for the Livestock Show and rodeo..
March. Rent a paddle boat at White Rock or Bachman lakes or get some wheels (bicycle or roller skate) and circle either lake. Celebrate the rites of spring and the wild-flowers along nearby interstates.
April. Take a driving tour of the azalea trails, located in some of Dallas’ most beautiful parks and neighborhoods. Grab a blanket and go to a free Symphony in the Park concert.
May. Take Mom on the Swiss Avenue Tour of Homes during Mother’s Day weekend. Spend part of Memorial Day weekend at Fair Park Artfest and attend the USA Film Festival at SMU. If the traditional monsoon doesn’t hit, be a spectator at the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament.
June. Resolve to take advantage of some summer culture: the Dallas Summer Musicals and Starfest concerts by the symphony.
July. More culture -Shakespeare Festival, held outdoors in the Fair Park band shell. Witness the Fourth of July fireworks display at Fair Park.
August. Drive east to Mesquite for the Mesquite Championship Rodeo. Dallas Cowboys football games begin.
September. Get a taste of Greek cuisine at the Greek Food Festival.
October. Say “hi” to Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas, October 8-24. See Neiman-Marcus’ downtown store at its finest as it celebrates its annual Fortnight and its Diamond Jubilee. Take the kids to the Sale Street Fair, a weekend of arts, crafts and entertainment. For a different sort of weekend, try the Texas-OU game.
November. Attend a public interfaith Thanksgiving-day service at Thanks-Giving Square. Take in the fall foliage at area parks.
December. See Dallas as it was in its early days at the Old City Park Candlelight Tours. Watch more than 2,000 lights come on to decorate the century-old pecan tree at Armstrong and Preston at the Christmas tree lighting. See the Dallas Ballet perform the Nutcracker Suite.
(See individual listings for details of most events. Newspapers will give exact dates, times and schedules. The Dallas Morning News Artline, 381-1155, will give you the latest information about arts and entertainment.)
EVENTS
Dallas Summer Musicals. State Fair Music Hall, Fair Park. 691-7200. Five musicals and two special performances performed from June to August.
Shakespeare Festival. Band Shell, Fair Park. 526-6021. This year “Othello” and “All’s Well that Ends Well” will be presented on alternate evenings. Free.
Starfest. Park Central, Coit Road at LBJ Freeway. 565-9100. Outdoor concerts by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and big-name performers. A great family outing.
Symphony in the Park. Outdoor concerts held at city parks from Easter to June 5. Free.
USA Film Festival, Bob Hope Auditorium, SMU. 760-8575. Annual festival introducing major new film works.
Greek Food Festival. The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4005 Swiss Avenue at Haskell. 823-3509. This year’s dates are September 23, 24 and 25. Advance tickets available.
THEATERS
Addison Summer Theater. 14800 Dallas North Parkway. 823-3670.
Dallas Repertory Theatre. 1030 North-Park Center. 369-8966.
Dallas Theater Center. 3636 Turtle Creek Boulevard. 526-8857.
Gran Crystal Palace. 2424 Swiss Avenue at Central Expressway. 824-1263. A sit-down dinner is served by the cast and a musical revue is served afterwards. Tuesday through Saturday, dinner at 7:45; revue at 9:30.
Granny’s Dinner Playhouse. 12205 Coit Road. 239-0153.
Greenville Avenue Theatre. 2914 Greenville Avenue. 823-3670.
New Arts Theatre. 310 North Market. 761-9064.
Theatre Onstage. NorthPark East. 373-6054.
Theatre SMU. Bob Hope and Margo Jones Theatres. SMU campus. 692-2573.
Theatre Three. 2800 Routh in The Quadrangle. 748-5191.
Many suburbs have community theaters; check the telephone book for listings.
MUSEUMS
Amon Carter Museum of Western Art. 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth. (817) 738-1933. Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday 1-5:30 pm. Known widely for its rich collection of Western art, especially its paintings by Remington and Russell.
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. Fair Park. 421-4187. Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. Permanent collections including pre-Columbian, Oriental, Oceanic, some Old Masters, 20th-century American and superb European art.
Fort Worth Art Museum. 1309 Montgomery, Fort Worth. (817) 738-9215. Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. Respected for its collection of American modern art.
Kimbell Museum. 1101 Will Rogers Road West, Fort Worth. (817) 332-8451. Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. Known as well worldwide for its light-filled Louis Kahn building as it is for its wide-ranging permanent collection.
Meadows Museum of Spanish Art. Owen Arts Center, SMU. 692-2516. Monday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. Permanent collection of Spanish art with works dating from the 15th through the 20th century, housed in one of the most stately public places in Dallas.
University Gallery. Owen Arts Center, SMU. 692-2516. Monday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. Rotating shows feature primarily students’ work, but from time to time, impressive shows of modern American works are exhibited. Usually the collection is of a Dallas artist’s work or has been acquired from a Dallas collector.
OTHER SPECIAL PLACES
Age of Steam Museum. Fair Park. 565-9931. Sunday 1-5 pm. Admission $1. Collection of railroad artifacts including Dallas’ oldest depot.
Dallas Aquarium. Fair Park. 428-3587. Monday through Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. Houses more than 300 species of freshwater and tropical fish and other water-loving animals.
Dallas Health and Science Museum. Fair Park. 428-8351. Monday through Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5. Admission to planetarium shows: $1 adults, 75￠ children. Permanent exhibits and rotating shows.
Dallas Museum of Natural History. Fair Park. 421-2169. Monday through Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. Approximately 50 permanent exhibits of wildlife and their habitats.
Old City Park. 1717 Gano Street. 421-5141. Turn-of-the-century buildings from Dallas and the North Texas area, restored and furnished authentically. Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 am-4 pm. Saturday and Sunday, 1:30-4:30 pm. Tickets: adults, $4; children and senior citizens, $2. Lunch served at Brent Place, Tuesday through Friday, 11:15, 12:15 and 1:15; Saturday and Sunday, 12:15 and 1:15. Reservations suggested. A candlelight tour is held December 9-12 with buildings decorated for Christmas, strolling carolers and handbell choirs. Tickets: adults, $5; children and senior citizens, $2.
Southwestern Historical Wax Museum. 601 East Safari Parkway, Grand Prairie. 263-2391. Monday through Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-6 pm. Adults $3.95, children $2.50. About 250 historical people and events represented in wax.
Marsalis Zoo, 621 East Clarendon. 946-5154. Open daily 9 am-6 pm. Admission, 25C for children under 5; $1 for ages 6-11; and $1.50 for those 12 and over.
LIBRARIES
One of the biggest bargains around. There are 19 libraries in Dallas, with one in almost every neighborhood. A library card is free to City of Dallas residents; you must show proof of address, such as a driver’s license or even a utility bill when applying for a card.
Besides housing thousands of books, the library has compiled three books that you can buy that will be invaluable in acquainting yourself with Dallas.
Open Dallas ($3.95), a paperback reference book that lists alphabetically organizations and societies of all kinds.
Art Source II ($1.95), a guide to the creative community for participants and spectators. Included is a list of all theaters and a short description of the kinds of productions each does.
Tripping Through Dallas ($3), a must for families. This book lists all the companies in the area that give tours of their facilities. Requirements for tours are listed.
Want to know how to make won-ton soup or who won the World Series in 1958? Call the library’s reference service (749-4321), and its clerks will be able to answer even the most trivial questions. Soon to be completed is a collection of every telephone book printed in the United States. A call can help you locate out-of-town addresses.
APL/CAT (pronounced “apple-cat”) is a computer listing of everything you’ll want to know about services, organizations, places and unusual events in Dallas. For example, virtually every bridge club in Dallas is listed, as is every dog psychologist. Call the reference service.
NEED SOME ART to dress up your new home? Sculpture, framed prints and posters can be checked out just like books. Audio-visual equipment such as cassettes, record albums and video cassettes can also be checked out.
The new downtown library and all branches offer free events on a regular basis for both adults and children. “Almanac,” a monthly schedule of events, is available at all libraries. Plays, puppet shows, preschool story hours and reading clubs are available for the kids. The downtown library offers a series of free noontime events: Mondays, an informative lecture such as handwriting analysis; Tuesdays, some kind of performance; Wednesdays, a film. The brown-bag event is held in the library’s auditorium.
RECREATION
Bicycle trails. Scenic and safe trails are marked throughout the city pointing the way to some of the most enjoyable places to pedal. Free maps are available at area bicycle shops or by calling 670-4039.Dallas Cowboys football games. Texas Stadium. Over-the-counter ticket sales for individual games begin August 16. Ticket office is at 6116 North Central Expressway. 369-3211.
Texas Ranger baseball games. Arlington stadium. Season through September 30. Ticket office is at the Texas Rangers baseball club, P.O. Box 1111. Metro (817) 273-5100.
Hot-air ballooning. Several companies offer one-hour balloon flights, some complete with champagne. Scheduling is dependent upon the weather. Fees vary, but are about $250 for two passengers. Departure points are located throughout the city.
AirVenture BalloonPort. 11837 Judd Court. 231-7983.
Balloon Academy of Texas. Dallas North Airport, Piano. 596-4606.
Balloon Adventures. 2002 Auburn. 690-4942.
Paddle boats. Rent them by the hour at both White Rock and Bachman lakes.
Bachman Lake Paddle Boats. 3300 West Northwest Highway. 351-3990. Open daily noon-7:30 pm. $6 per hour.
Rundley Boat and Recreation Center, 3240 West Lawther. 823-6933. Open daily 10 am-sundown. $6.30 per hour.
Polo games. Play throughout the summer at Willow Bend Polo and Hunt Club, Farm Road 544, west of Preston Road. 248-6298. Even though the club itself is limited to members, the games are open to the public. Tickets, $4; children under 12 free. Games are played Friday and Sunday evenings at 6 pm. Call for a schedule.
MISCELLANY
TRAINS
Amtrak offers a different way to get to Fort Worth. Board the train at Union Terminal, 400 South Houston, any Monday, Wednesday or Friday at 1:30 pm and ride to Fort Worth for $5.95. Return trips leave Fort Worth Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 3:40 pm. Call 653-1101 for schedule information and reservations.
DRIVER’S LICENSE
To obtain a valid Texas driver’s license (legally required after 30 days residence), a newcomer from another state must: Apply for a license at one of many testing stations in the Dallas area; produce a certified copy of his or her birth certificate; pass a written examination; pass a driving skill test if the out-of-state license has expired; undergo a vision test to determine if corrective lenses are needed; 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 does not require you to surrender your old driver’s license. To learn the location of the testing station nearest you, call 226-7611 or consult the Blue Pages of your telephone directory.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Out-of-state vehicles may be registered for Texas license plates in various Dallas County locations. 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 have your vehicle’s serial number verified through an inspection at a service station or car dealership; surrender your out-of-state title; apply for registration within 30 days of moving here; pay a $15 new resident’s fee, plus a $3 title fee and the cost of your license tags (cost based on weight of the vehicle). Plates are required on a vehicle’s front and rear bumpers. 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. The 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 across Dallas 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 an American citizen; 18 years of age or older; a resident of the city, county, and state for at least 30 days. Voter registra-tion 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 before 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 sub-courthouses: 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.
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, you 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 to obtain further information, call 826-9360.
HEALTH CARE
The best plan for a medical emergency is to have a good family doctor before you need one. Nothing increases the trauma of an emergency more than having no doctor to call.
In Dallas, one phone number -744-4444 -is all-important for major medical emergencies. By calling this number, you can enlist the help of paramedics, call for an ambulance or get help for major emergencies.
For minor emergencies such as broken bones and lacerations, many small emergency clinics are strategically located around town. Most are open seven days a week and require no appointment. Besides minor emergencies, these clinics -which are staffed by doctors and registered nurses -usually have their own labs and X-ray facilities, and can provide physical exams for school, employment or workmen’s compensation; can administer blood tests for marriage licenses; and provide general medical care.
Emergency Care Center. 2005 West Airport Freeway (between MacArthur and Story). 659-1234. Open daily 7:30 am-10:30 pm.
Med-Stop. 5315 Greenville (at Lovers Lane). 696-3636. Open daily 8 am-10 pm.
Minor Emergency Center. 1205 Josey Lane (two blocks north of Belt Line), Car-rollton. 245-9271. Open daily 8 am-10 pm.
Minor Emergency Clinic. 4600 Second Avenue. 421-3414. Open daily 9 am-10 pm.
Minor Emergency Clinic of Garland. 809 Centerville, Garland. 681-0487. Open daily 9 am-10 pm.
Pepper Square Emergency Medical Clinic. 14902 Preston (at Belt Line). 980-1010. Open daily 8 am-10 pm.
Piano Emergency Center. 2929 Custer (at Parker), Piano. 596-1003. Open daily 8 am-10 pm.
Parkland Hospital. 5201 Harry Hines Boulevard. 638-1800. Provides 24-hour emergency-room service for trauma patients and is rated among the best in the United States. Minor emergencies requiring clinical care can be taken to Parkland’s Outpatient Clinic, 5201 Harry Hines. 637-8184.
REFERRAL SERVICES
North Dallas Dental Referral Service.8345 Walnut Hill Lane. Suite 100. 691-8187.
Community Council of Greater Dallas Information and Referral Service. 747-3711. Specializing in health, welfare and recreation services and agencies.
Lawyer Referral Service. 745-1227. Sponsored by the Dallas Bar Association, this service can arrange an appointment for $15 per 30-minute consultation.
The Dallas County Medical Society Referral Service. 526-5090. Callers usually are given the names of three doctors from which to choose. The society can also tell you the credentials (training, certifications and age) of member doctors.Dallas/Fort Worth Hospital Council.357-0139. This service will advise you of the hospital nearest you.
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS
Given free at area centers for Urgent Treatment and at some area fire departments. Call 670-4312 for designated fire departments or the American Heart Association (748-7212) for all locations.
PETS
Like any medical emergency, it is best to have a veterinarian for pets before an urgent need arises. Two area animal clinics open just when normal office hours end (6 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily plus holidays and weekends) and provide emergency animal care.
Carrollton Emergency Animal Clinic. 1103 Belt Line (at Interstate 35), Carroll-ton. 446-0262.
Emergency Animal Clinic. 13031 Coit Road at Arapaho in Coit Plaza. 661-2112.
HOME AND GARDEN
Dallas County Extension Service. Home economics, 749-8403; horticulture, 749-8393. These two groups offer a variety of free services -hundreds of free publications about home economics, horticulture and agriculture; monthly newsletters on current information and updates in home economics and horticulture. Call the numbers above to be put on the mailing list or write: 1226 Commerce, Plaza Level, Dallas, 75202. Short courses and programs are also offered. Schedules available in newsletters or in the garden section of both Dallas newspapers. Free telephone emergency help for kitchen, disasters.Dallas Garden Center. Fair Park. 428-7476. The garden center has more than 5,500 species of plants – the largest collection in this part of the country – and opens its indoor gardens free from 10 am-1 pm on Saturdays. Outdoor gardens are always open to the public.
A telephone information service is also available to answer any plant-related questions.
FREE SERVICES
Dallas Power & Light
Customer Service: 653-1311, will answer any questions about your bill or general information.
Tree trimming: 698-7000. Trees growing close to or into power or service lines can be trimmed away free.
YES (Your Energy Share). Program entitles you to “energy shares” (coupons) when you purchase a new, higher efficiency air-conditioning unit (central or window) or a heat pump. These coupons are earned according to the energy efficiency rating of your unit. For example, a unit with an EER of 10.5 or higher would earn $120 worth coupons per ton. These can be applied as credit toward your electric bill.
A variety of booklets and pamphlets are available. 698-7000. Among them is How to Read Your Electric Meter, complete with practice samples and The Unhandy Person’s Guide to…, a series of booklets detailing how to caulk, weatherstrip, wrap duct work, add insulation, maintain appliances and make your own storm windows. Also available is Cost of Operating Your Electric Appliances, a listing of approximate operating costs for the most common household appliances.
Telephone service is offered by DP&L to answer questions on major appliances, including purchasing information related to efficiency. 698-7000.
Texas Power & Light services many of the area suburbs. Consult the telephone directory for the local telephone number.
Tree trimming: Trees growing close to or into power or service lines can be trimmed away free; call your local TP&L office.
Residentiar Customer Handbook. Answers a multitude of questions from applying for service to discontinuing it.
Lone Star Gas offers free house calls by its consumer information specialists (home economists) on appliance use and care and kitchen planning. A telephone service is also available for answering questions on gas equipment and recipes. Dallas residents, call 741-3711; suburban residents, consult telephone directory for local office.
Tom Thumb Page offers a consumer telephone line (661-9021) to answer questions about shopping and cooking in Texas, product information, recipes and shopping tips. A coupon book is also available for newcomers for items such as light bulbs, plants, keys and such. Write: Director of Consumer Affairs, 14303 In-wood, Dallas, 75234.
Minyard Food Stores’ Consumer Relations Department (471-1872) has a home economist on hand to answer questions about recipes, products, nutrition information and special diets.
TIME AND TEMPERATURE
844-(any four numbers)
WEATHER REPORT
Call the National Weather Service (993-2626) for weather information to help plan trips, outings, etc.
RED TAG HOT LINE<BR>Dial 578-1616 for information about sales, products and stores in your area. Just tell the operator where you live and what you’re looking for.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Dallas Independent School District’s vanguard, academy and magnet schools offer students a flexibility in curriculum that was unheard of a generation ago.
Admission to all vanguards and academies-except the Center for the Academically Talented and Gifted -is open. Students are generally admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis, but ethnic balance is considered.
An application must be completed to attend one of the magnet or career development centers. Enrollment is limited in most schools.
Bus transportation is provided by DISD to a vanguard or academy when 20 or more students who live close to one another request it. Free transportation to the magnet schools is provided on a scheduled shuttle system.
Vanguard schools are geared for grades four through six and are designed to offer a variety of programs. Five elementary schools offer specific programs, hoping to attract students from all over the district. The following are the vanguard schools available.
Center for the Academically Talented and Gifted. H.B. Polk. 6911 Victoria. 358-4576. For the above-average or unusually curious student, this curriculum features subjects not usually taught in elementary schools; courses designed to correlate topics throughout all of the subjects; field trips and seminars. Special emphasis on math, logic and language arts. Admission procedures begin in January. Parent should talk to home school principal by February 1 for a child to be considered in the coming school year.
Center for Expressive Arts, Sidney Lanier. 1400 Walmsley. 742-3661. Program allows students to progress at their own speeds. Self-expression and creativity are encouraged through puppetry, dramatizations, a school newspaper and other activities.
Center for Individually Guided Education. Maynard Jackson. 2929 Thigpen Road. 371-4346. Small (one-to-one when possible) classes allow a student to be in a program of study especially designed to meet his or her needs. Classes are non-graded and give priority to mastering basic reading, writing, math and speech skills.
Fundamental School. Mark Twain. 724 Green Cove Lane. 371-5304. It’s back to basics here with a structured, traditional approach emphasizing the “Three Rs.” Independent study and homework are stressed, as are high moral standards, respect for authority and courtesy.
Montessori School. Amelia Earhart. 3531 North Westmoreland Road. 637-0923. The Montessori method is learning by self-discovery, with the responsibility for progressing placed on the student. Special Montessori equipment is used in teaching, and students often help plan their own field trips.
THE NEXT GROUP includes academies-special schools for seventh- and eighth-graders.
Fundamental Academy. William Hawley Atwell. 1303 Reynoldston Lane. 376-7321. As the name implies, basic subjects taught with the traditional approach is stressed. Students are grouped according to ability; the” academy has a definite program of study to fit their needs. Foreign language survey, homemaking, typing, a special science program and social studies are offered.
Career Exploration Academy. Pearl C. Anderson. 3400 Garden Lane. 428-7451. The traditional basic middle school program is offered here along with opportunities to explore many career options. Resource speakers and visits to area businesses let students see the work-world firsthand.
Classical Academy. Oliver Wendell Holmes. 2001 East Kiest Boulevard. 375-2535. Courses are available here that are not available in any other middle school, in an attempt for academic excellence. Six foreign languages, music instruction, art classes and an outstanding gymnastics program enhance basic subjects.
Environmental Science Academy. Se-quoyah. 3635 Greenleaf. 631-3920. This school attracts the nature lover; classrooms are often fields, streams and hills. In addition to language and math skills, students study horticulture, bacteriology, botany and other environmental sciences.
Exploratory Arts Academy. W.E. Grein-er. 625 Edgefield. 943-1196. Artistically talented students are encouraged to develop their individual interests through studies in theater, dance, journalism, music and piano. Regular middle school programs are also offered, including an honors program.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, grades nine through 12, are eligible for magnet schools. Enrollment is limited in most schools. A pre-enrollment period is held each year for the coming year.
Arts Magnet. 2501 Flora Street. 744-3247. Students have the option of attending this school fulltime and taking academic courses or attending part time, with academics taken at the home school. Preliminary but intensive training is given in the visual arts (painting, drawing, print-making, sculpture, ceramics, weaving, jewelry-making and others) and the performing arts (dance, music, theater). Resident artist-instructors do the teaching. Students have a chance to perform publicly and to have a public gallery and sale.
Business and Management Center. 2218 Bryan Street. 651-9811. This magnet operates in a real administrative and office setting in the Central Business District. On-the-job training is emphasized, and paid and nonpaid internships are available for grades 10 through 12 where students work a half-day. A vocational office education course is offered for the handicapped.
Career Development Center, Skyline.7777 Forney Road. 388-2101. An 80-acre campus houses 24 areas of study. The building complex itself covers approximately 14 acres and includes a color-television studio, computer center, airplane hangar, media center, greenhouse and other special-purpose areas. Skyline is an extension of all DISD high schools. Students may attend on a part-time basis for 3-hour career education courses or may transfer to the school full-time.
Health Professions. 4515 Ross Avenue. 823-5671. Introductory and advanced programs prepare students for many health careers: medical, dental assistance, dental technology, licensed vocational nursing, veterinary, hospital support service, medical secretary and others. Emphasis is placed on academic courses as well.
Humanities/Communications. 2628 Hatcher Street. 428-5134. This alternative program offers a basic liberal arts education to help prepare students for college. Courses include philosophy, literature, languages, fine arts, history, anthropology and social sciences.
Human Services Center. 1738 Gano Street. 421-0966. Designed for students who enjoy working with people, the program offers studies of human services, social services, child-related professions and educational services. Students are able to work in a kindergarten through third grade program and child-care center at the center.
Public Services: Government and Law. 912 South Ervay Street. 748-9991. Students interested in careers in law, criminal justice and public affairs will find this curriculum attractive. Courses geared to both career and college-bound students. Social sciences internships are often available after three years in the magnet program.
Transportation Institute. 2222 Ross Avenue. 742-6869. This center offers training in automotive technology, automotive body technology, small-engine repair, automotive diesel and transportation marketing. Academic courses are taught at a nearby academic center.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
The proliferation of private schools in Dallas during the last decade is phenomenal; the Yellow Pages list nine columns of tuition-supported schools.
Why should you send your child to a private school instead of a nearby public school? The reasons are as varied as the private campuses and curriculums. Many schools are geared toward preparing students for college and have stringent academic standards for their above-average students. Others are dedicated to those with learning disabilities. Many schools are parochial or church-affiliated.
Facilities and student bodies vary greatly in size. Some schools are housed in leased buildings, while others are situated on acres of their own property. Most have classrooms and lunchrooms; many offer athletic fields, libraries and playgrounds. Some of the larger, more-affluent schools have planetariums, computers and vast libraries. Student population may be as small as 60 or as large as 740. Generally, class size is kept small for more individualized attention.
Personal interviews and tests are frequently required for admission. Parents are often included in the interview process. Since the schools are supported by tuition, fees are somewhat in proportion to the size and facilities of the school, ranging from $742 to $4,700 a year. Tuition usually increases as the child gets older, with high school tuition considerably more than kindergarten. A few schools offer payment alternatives such as the option to pay in installments or a reduced tuition for families with two or more children enrolled.
A unique service is provided for those looking for a private school by a firm called Admissions Counseling Services (5952 Royal Lane; 696-3690). Owner Mike Shepperd, formerly an administrator at St. Mark’s, tries to cut down on the red tape involved in searching out the appropriate private school. He has brochures and current information on area private schools, alternative schools, schools specializing in learning disabilities and boarding schools.
Facilities are available through the service for academic testing to determine achievement levels and find the school best suited. A fee of $50 per hour is charged, and Shepperd says most counseling can be done within an hour.
The Alexander School. 13999 Goldmark. 690-9210. Founded in 1975. Coed, grades eight through 12. Tuition: $4,680. 100 students, 20 teachers, 16 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: About nine out of 10 applications are accepted, but students are frequently referred to other schools before the application process actually begins. Requirements include previous school rec-ords, 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 the school is handsomely furnished and affords plenty of windows for light.
General description: A totally individualized curriculum, primarily college preparatory, but also one 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 emphasize coping skills. Evening program is available to students from other schools who want to enter more stringent academic programs and who need special preparation for the entrance tests required. Average combined SAT score: 1,000.
Bethel Lutheran School. 11211 East Northwest Highway. 348-8375. Founded in 1959. Coed, 3 years through sixth grade. Tuition: $742-$l,080. 130 students; nine teachers, two with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Children with learning disabilities are not accepted. Metropolitan reading test required for first-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. Students rank high on achievement tests.
Bishop Dunne High School. 3900 Rugged Drive. 339-6561. Founded in 1961. Coed, grades eight through 12. Tuition: $1,300 for Catholics, $1,550 for nonCatholics. 640 students; 38 teachers, 17 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 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. Thirty-three percent of students are non-Catholic. Outstanding programs include foreign languages (German, French, Spanish) and a band that has been named outstanding Catholic high school band in the nation. Average combined SAT score: 860.
Bishop Lynch High School. 97S0 Ferguson Road. 324-3607. Founded in 1963. Coed, grades nine through 12. Tuition: $1,600. 650 students, 43 teachers.
Admissions: Nearly all applications are accepted. Requirements include placement test and clearance from elementary school.
Campus: Located on 22 acres in the Casa View/Casa Linda area; campus includes a gym and football field.
Catholic Diocese of Dallas. 3915 Lemmon Avenue. 528-2360. Tuition: $550-$2,200. 32 elementary schools, 8 secondary and two special schools all under Diocese’s jurisdiction. 13,266 students; 713 teachers, 250 with advanced degrees.
Cistercian Preparatory School. Route 2, Box 1, Irving. 438-4956. Founded in 1962. Boys, grades five through 12. Tuition: $2,450-$2,750. 240 students; 28 teachers, 24 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 Coli-nas. 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 and an outstanding American history program offered. Latin required in grades five through eight. Computer curriculum introduced in sixth grade. Calculus and physics required for graduation. Average combined SAT score: 1,238.
The Episcopal School of Dallas. 4100 Merrell Road at Midway. 358-4368. Founded in 1974. Coed, grades five through 12. Tuition: $3,803-$4,592. 340 students; 29 teachers, 18 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Applicants must be seen as capable of benefiting from the school’s college preparatory program. Requirements include a test administered by the school, previous school records and a personal interview.
Campus: Located on 22 acres in North Dallas, the campus includes an upper school facility joined to a middle-school facility by a common area. There is also a 2,400-square-foot gym.
General description: A college preparatory school with rigorous curriculum and graduation requirements. Average class size, 15 to 20. One outstanding feature of the curriculum is its Wilderness Program.
First Baptist Academy. 1704 Patterson. 742-5765. Founded in 1972. Coed, grades kindergarten through 12. Tuition: $1,260-$1,795. 800 students; 46 teachers, 12 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Requirements include entrance test and performance at or above grade level. Parent interview with principal.
Campus: Located in First Baptist Church, downtown. Science labs, business labs, computer math classes and art program.
General description: Although the school is affiliated with First Baptist Church, not all students are Baptist. Christian emphasis; Bible courses required in all grades. Band, drill team, cheerleaders and athletic programs.
The Glenwood School. 851 S. Greenville, 1 block south of Spring Valley, Richardson. 987-9789. Founded in 1981. Coed, 3 years through eighth grade (with plans to go to 12). Tuition: $l,315-$2,995, payable in 10 installments. 300 students; 28 teachers, 15 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Must do average to superior work. First-graders must have an admissions evaluation.
Campus: New location this fall includes six large buildings, gym, pool on 18 acres with trees in a camp-like setting.
General description: Continuous-progress program/mastery-learning program. Personalized, individualized attention stresses self-concept. Students are grouped into units that function as families; no grades per se. Exceeds state standards.
Good Shepherd Episcopal School. 11122 Midway Road. 357-1610. Founded in 1960. Coed, 3 years through eighth grade. Tuition: $500-$l,560. 412 students; 33 teachers, 4 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 ambiance with several unique features, including Spanish taught from kindergarten on and a reading enrichment program that is mandatory from the fourth grade on.
Good Shepherd Lutheran School. 2620 West Grauwyler, Irving. 254-9102. Founded in 1963. Coed, 3 years through sixth grade. Tuition: $450-$945 for non-members; $450-$855 for members. 105 students;’five teachers, one with advanced degree.
Admissions: Most applications are accepted. Requirements include previous school records. Second and third grades filled for the fall.
Campus: Housed in a church building with a playground.
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.
The Greenhill School. 14255 Midway Road. 661-1211. Founded in 1950. Coed, 3? through 12th grade. Tuition: $1,800-$4,100. 1015 students; 100 teachers, 60 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: About one of every four applications accepted. Requirements include testing for intelligence and placement and to determine whether applicant can do college preparatory work. For fifth grade 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 percent. Grades five through eight are usually filled; grade one and the upper school (nine through 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 eighth grade, but classes are structured. Strong performance in all academic fields. Outstanding tennis, soccer, running. Respected computer science curriculum for grades K and up. Average combined SAT score: 1,150.
The Hockaday School. 11600 Welch Road. 363-6311. Founded in 1913. Girls, 4 years through 12th grade. Tuition: $1,720-$4,910 (includes lunches and fees). 807 students; 87 teachers, 43 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Applications are received continuously. Testing begins in February; upper-school testing conducted periodically throughout the spring. Girls are admitted in order of ranking obtained through testing and other requirements, including previous academic records. Personal interviews are held for upper-school. Approximately 35 percent 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 gyms, an indoor swimming pool, extensive tennis facilities, a ceramics studio with kilns and a computer room. Boarding facilities available.
General description: Considered the premier girls’ school of Dallas, founded on the principle of college preparation with emphasis on scholarship, character, courtesy and athletics. Wide-ranging, highly demanding academic program, with emphasis on the arts.
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: 1,112.
Holy Cross Lutheran School. 11425 Marsh Lane. 358-4396. Founded in 1962. Coed, 3 years through sixth grade. Tuition: supported by donations of members and non-members. 185 students; 9 teachers, three with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Requirements include testing for grade and developmental placement at first- and second-grade levels. Waiting list averages about five students per grade.
Campus: Housed in modern building with library and music facilities connected; gym, 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 nine through 12. Tuition: $2,290. 700 students; 49 teachers, 25 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: About two out of three applications accepted. Requirements include entrance test, previous school records and a personal interview. 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, an 8,000-seat football stadium, gym, 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: 1,080.
Lakehill Preparatory School. 2720 Hillside. 826-2931. Founded in 1970. Coed, kindergarten through 12th grade. Tuition: $l,750-$3,360. 300 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 facility from Lake-wood Baptist Church. Gym available.
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: 988.
The Lamplighter School. 11611 Inwood Road. 369-9201. Founded in 1953. Coed, 3 years through fourth grade. Tuition: $1,150-$3,100. 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 kindergarten through fourth grade.
Campus: Twelve acres at the corner of Inwood Road and Forest Lane. A rambling, modified open-plan school with open fields, a playground, greenhouse and a barn with 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. Stults Road south of Forest Lane. 239-0213. Founded in 1976. Coed, grades seven through 12. Tuition: $1,910 plus $150 registration fee. 130 students; 11 teachers, three with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Nine out of 10 applications accepted. Requirements include previous school records and a personal interview. No waiting list.
Campus: New facility scheduled to be ready by fall. Athletic fields, classrooms, library and laboratories located on 13 acres. Average combined SAT scores: 1,015.
The Parish Day School of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. 14115 Hillcrest. 239-8011. Founded in 1972. Coed, 3 years through sixth grade. Tuition: $509-$1,598. 260 students; 22 teachers, four with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Requirements include testing, previous records and an interview.
Campus: Located at Spring Valley and Hillcrest on 10 acres including preschool building, grade school building and five portable buildings, plus Parish Hall, which is used as a cafeteria and auditorium.
General description: Average class size: 16. Self-contained classrooms. Structured, traditional program with emphasis on reading skills, literature, grammar and composition. Spanish taught from three years through sixth grade. Geared to average and above-average students.
Park Cities Academy, 3412 Binkley. 522-8051. Founded 1977. Coed, grades seven through 12. Tuition: $3,600-$4,250. 60 students; 10 teachers, eight with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Requirements include admissions testing, previous school records and a personal interview.
Campus: Located in Park Cities across from SMU. Housed in an older building previously used by other schools, including St. Mark’s. Facilities and equipment to be expanded this fall.
General description: One of a kind in Dallas. A very disciplined, structured environment for students between regular performance level and remedial. Small classes (five to 10) aimed at upgrading skills and strengthening background. Recommended by many area private schools. Provides transitional training as well as high school graduation. Computer curriculum offered. Most students go on to college.
St. John’s Episcopal School. 848 Harter Road. 328-9131. Founded in 1953. Coed, 3 years through sixth grade. Tuition: $1,230-$1,950. 250 students; 23 teachers, about half 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 Buck-ner 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 one through 12. Tuition: $2,771-$3,736. 740 students; 93 teachers, 53 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Testing every February and March, personal interview, and an essay about the applicant written by his parents. Teacher and school recommendations also required. Seniors not accepted unless their family is newly arrived in Dallas. No waiting list per se. All students 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. Nationally ranked debate team. Excellence in individual sports. Camping and leadership programs in middle and upper school. Average combined SAT scores: 1,184.
The St. Michael School. 8011 Douglas. 691-8681. Founded in 1950. Coed, 3 years through sixth grade. Tuition: $1,440-$2,350 for communicants of the parish; $l,590-$2,600 for non-communicants. 420 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, playing field and an all-weather basketball court.
General description: Provides a traditional education foundation with enrichments that include Spanish for preschool through third grade and French for grades four through six; appearances by visiting authors and artists; emphasis on the student’s discovery of his talents and how to develop and direct them.
Ursuline Academy. 4900 Walnut Hill Lane. 363-6551. Founded in 1874. Girls, grades nine through 12. Tuition: $2,100. 700 students; 56 teachers, 32 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Requirements include a placement test, a personal interview and evaluation forms sent to feeder parochial schools. There is a waiting list for ninth, 10th and 11 th grades. 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, dance building, art building, playing fields and tennis courts.
General description: Ten percent of students are non-Catholic. Special programs include Government in Action, in which selected seniors complete an internship in the justice system in Dallas. Selected juniors enter a special humanities program studying American life through history, literature and art. Average combined SAT scores: 1,100.
The Walden Preparatory School. 14552 Montfort Drive. 233-6883. Founded in 1970. Coed, grades nine through 12 or ages 14 through 19. Tuition: $2,950 plus fees. 85 students; 10 teachers, four with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Most qualified applicants are accepted. Requirements include previous school records, a personal interview and an appointment with a school counselor; the applicant must attend two days of school as an observer. No waiting list. No testing required. Students with learning disabilities are accepted.
Campus: Located in far North Dallas. Housed in a 5,000-square-foot, multilevel redwood house on two wooded acres.
General description: A private alternative school geared for students who have experienced failure in public school and have lost their motivation. Work with students with minor learning disabilities to develop skills. Self-paced. Summer school June 2-August 6.
White Rock North Private School. 9727 White Rock Trail. 348-7410. Founded in 1965. Coed, 18 months through third grade. Tuition: $600-$l,850. 275 students; 17 teachers, five with advanced degrees.
Admissions: All qualified applicants are accepted. Requirements include previous school records and a physical exam.
Campus: Located in the Lake Highlands area. Two new 10,000-square-foot buildings, including a 5,200-square-foot gym. Indoor heated swimming pool. Two acres of play space, horses and farm animals on campus. Roller-skating facilities.
General description: A highly structured program geared to students working at or above grade level. A summer day-camp program is included through age 12. The Willows School. 6318 Willow Lane. 661-5345. Founded in 1976. Coed, preschool through eighth grade. Tuition: $l,400-$2,200. 155 students; 16 teachers, six with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Requirements include a standardized entrance exam, a classroom visit and a personal interview with parents.
Campus: Located by the Aerobic Center, between Hillcrest and Preston Road. One large facility plus separate art and science buildings.
General description: Montessori preschool and nongraded elementary curriculum. All preschool and kindergarten teachers are AMS certified.
Zion Lutheran School. 6121 East Lovers Lane. 363-1630. Founded in 1948. Coed, 3 years through eighth grade. Tuition: $1,500. 250 students; 14 teachers, eight with advanced degrees.
Admissions: About one out of every three applications accepted.
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 seventh graders and special emphasis on art.
THE FOLLOWING private schools cater to the needs of children who are struggling with reading problems and major or minor learning disabilities:
Dallas Academy. 950 Tiffany Way. 324-1481. Founded in 1967. Coed, grades seven through 12 with post-high school year available for graduates. Tuition: $3,700; $8,700 for boarding students. 55 students; seven teachers, four with advanced degrees.
Admissions: About two out of three applications accepted. Requirements include recent IQ and diagnostic testing. 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.
Campus: Located on four acres near White Rock Lake. Students from out of town are housed at Buckner Children’s Home, with transportation.
General description: Features 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, kindergarten through eighth grade. Tuition: $4,250. 104 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 special attention. Program is geared to assist those with specific language learning disabilities.
The Fairhill Schools. 6039 Churchill Way. 233-1026. Founded in 1971. Coed, kindergarten through 12th grade. Tuition: $3,200-$3,600. 125 students; 15 teachers, 12 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Children of average or above-average intelligence with learning disabilities requiring a smaller academic setting. 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.
Notre Dame Schools. 1451 East Northgate Drive, Irving. 438-2440. Elementary school founded in 1962; secondary and vocational center founded in 1973: coed, ungraded. Tuition: based on pledge ranging from $950 to $3,600. 105 students, plus 53 vocational students; 25 teachers.
Admissions: Provides education for learning disabled or mentally retarded children, ages 2 1/2 to 16. Vocational training for those over 16 years old.
Campus: Located on the grounds of the Mother House of the School Sisters of North Dallas.
General description: Accredited programs by Texas Education Agency and Texas Rehabilitation Commission. Academic program for the educable mentally retarded; living-skills program for the trainable mentally retarded. Vocational program strives to put students into the job market. Facilities include a commercial laundry, woodshop, use of a commercial kitchen, beauty shop, office-machines room, ceramics room and greenhouse.
Shelton School and Evaluation Center. 5002 West Lovers Lane. 352-1772. Founded in 1975. Preschool through eighth grade. Tuition: $4,500 plus fees. 115 students; 22 teachers, 16 with advanced degrees.
Admissions: Children with specific learning disabilities are welcomed as well as those of average or better-than-average intelligence who may require more intensive instruction. Interviews required.
Campus: Housed in the old Lovers Lane Methodist Church; 50,000 square feet.
General description: Average class consists of seven students. Accredited with the Texas Education Agency. Private therapy is available for children and adults with learning disabilities. Students are tested for learning disabilities and developmental lags at the school evaluation center and are evaluated by Dr. June Shelton, after whom the school is named.
Winston School. 5707 Royal Lane. 691-6950. Founded in 1973. Coed, grades one through nine. Tuition: $4,800-$5,000, plus $325-$350 for lunches. 160 students; 30 teachers, six with advanced degrees.
Admissions: 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 Children’s Medical Center physician.
Campus: Three buildings, all four years old; soccer field and playground.
General description: Programs are designed to emphasize a student’s strengths. Classes in drama, photography and music.
