About Dallas ISD

Dedication runs deep throughout the Dallas Independent School District with more than 22,000 team members working toward realizing our vision and mission of becoming the best urban district in the United States, educating all students for success. To improve the lives of students and govern our day-to-day actions, the Board of Trustees adopted strategic initiatives that reflect our core beliefs and guide us in everything we do:

Career Institutes

These innovative programs prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand occupations. High school students can pursue a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, work with industry partners, train on state-of-the-art, industry-standard equipment, earn certifications, and obtain dual credit prior to graduation.

Early Learning

An outstanding education from an early age sets the foundation for academic success. Dallas ISD’s program focuses on teacher training, free full-day programs for those who qualify, and scholarships for those who need them.

Public School Choice

Dallas ISD has one of the most robust offerings of public school choice in the state, with options that provide the best-fit educational program for each student.

Programs include:

• Innovation schools—Redesigned schools that adapt to the needs of the neighborhood while bringing innovation and maintaining current attendance boundaries.
• Transformation schools—New schools with specialized academic programming and no attendance boundaries.

Racial Equity

Dallas ISD prioritizes equity by assuring a comprehensive positive impact through its programs and initiatives, offering pre-K scholarships, focused professional development, and African American and Mexican American studies. Through the district’s focus on equity, students receive the resources they need to succeed.

Strategic Compensation

Dallas ISD is committed to attracting the best teachers and school personnel through strategic compensation and resources. Strategic compensation programs, or excellence initiatives, allow the most effective team members to earn higher compensation, and provide support to help all team members reach higher levels of effectiveness.