2023 Best Districts with Gifted and Talented Programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

• Southlake, TX•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  84 reviews

Senior: The Carroll Independent School District makes a great attempt at unifying the people of Southlake with its mascot, the dragon. The dragon is meant to exemplify a "tradition" of excellence, which is shown with the quantity and variety of achievements awarded to students of Southlake compared to other cities. This excellence, however, makes Southlake become ignorant to the rising issues within the district. The worst problem in Southlake is the amount of pressure that the students feel they have to succeed. The students here take away from their childhood because of the constant reminder to "protect the tradition." They begin to feel that without achievements, they don't show excellence, and are therefore worthless. Although it is good to make sure people understand that hard work pays off, and it is good to promote a culture supporting people following their passions, CISD needs to put more efforts into making sure students do not waste what should be the least stressful years of life.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 11

• Students 8,324

• Allen, TX•

• School District

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  80 reviews

Sophomore: Personally, this school had given me so much opportunity. Like other schools the more you put into it, the more you get out; however, if one doesn't put in much effort they will still be rewarded with experience. The teachers are all hardworking and communicate with you. Your education takes primary importance however well roundness is a virtue of this school. All the sports, academics, fine arts, and student organization are well developed. The only downside is the lack of diversity among the student, particularly African American students, but this is connected to the demography of this region of Texas than the school itself. Lovejoy High school is #301 Nationwide placing it in the top 1% of the high schools in the nation, and #46 in Texas. This is an amazing school!... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 6

• Students 4,206

• Coppell, TX•

• School District

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  Rating 4.15 out of 5  99 reviews

Alum: Growing up in Coppell was the best thing my family has gifted me. The academics were far superior to other school districts around. Even now, 10 years after graduating from Coppell, I still see the benefits of my educational foundation at Coppell (attended grades 1-12 in Coppell). For example, I have met many colleagues in the work force that struggle with simple tricks and techniques that I learned in middle school or high school! Needless to say, I was well prepared for college and with the abundant (and amazing) AP credits available and teachers that genuinely cared, my first step in college was a breeze. I appreciate the close-knit community, caring teachers, parents, and lifetime friends that have made my childhood at Coppell wonderful.... Read 99 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 16

• Students 13,052

• Frisco, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  572 reviews

Junior: The Frisco Independent School District provides wonderful academic curriculums and learning environment for students. The schools within this district are heavily diverse and offer opportunities for students to understand multicultural ethics! The teachers and staff here are very much caring for the student's growth in both knowledge and wisdom as it provides a wider range of viewpoints for the students. The school's in the district is also very bright and neat as the staff members work hard inorder to give students comfortable and open learning experiences throughout their school lives.... Read 572 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 74

• Students 63,493

• Grapevine, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  109 reviews

Parent: GCISD is an excellent school district. Parental involvement is good. Teachers have all been highly responsive to inquiries and student needs throughout the 7 years we have been in the district, spanning elementary, middle and high school. The counselor has worked miracles for our child’s schedule so that she could participate in STEM, AVID and the Health Science Technology curriculum which begins preparing students for college tracks in health fields. The teachers in STEM are legitimately credentialed with high levels of education, and the health science teachers are clinical providers turned educators. The school has always provided high end technology and facilities, including iPads and lap tops for all students and a very good IT department and applications for utilizing the technology. The board is made up of intelligent and engaged members of our community and makes excellent decisions with funds and programs. We really could not wish for more in a school.... Read 109 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 21

• Students 13,935

• Dallas, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  34 reviews

Senior: The High School has been recently renovated so the hallway congestion is much better. It is easy to make it to class if your classes are at opposite ends of the building. Students do not use hallway lockers, everyone carries backpacks. Transferring classes is easy if you follow the procedures. Classroom size is good and overall teachers are high quality and care about their students success. You need to have specific questions to attend tutorials, so that could be better. Parking around the school is tight, there is only one main parking garage and it is mainly for seniors. Security is great and the sucurity guards are friendly. The school trys to promote an all-inclusive atmosphere. There are tons of clubs so everyone at the school can find something to join and be part of a group. AP classes are very challenging. Cafeteria food is okay. They have tons of options and the lines are not bad. I brought my lunch because I didn't care for the food they provided.... Read 34 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 8

• Students 6,648

• Prosper, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  146 reviews

Senior: I've lived in Prosper my whole life and I love their schools. All throughout elementary school I loved it, prosper is a very social school district and has so much going on and you can get involved with anything. Middle school was hard for me, but I had resources available to me during middle school because I was going through a rough patch. I was at 2 high schools during my 4 years in high school. I attended prosper high school during my freshman year and it was an okay experience but it got ruined by the death of my dad and covid-19. I moved to the new high school that opened up in 2021, Rockhill, and I loved it. The staff there is super supportive and always considers students' mental health before just their academic ability. I got involved in student council, and track and field and loved the experience as a whole. Rockhill also has some super good classes that prepare yall for college and picking your major and what you're interested in. 10/10 experience!... Read 146 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 19

• Students 19,138

• Allen, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  201 reviews

Sophomore: Allen Independent School District is an amazing public education system. In my time in the district, I have experienced many years of good education. The teachers are experts in their subjects and have excellently prepared me for STAAR testing, EOC's, etc. All schools have resources available to create a better learning environment for all students, and make an extra effort to ensure students feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged. There is a large variety of sports, fine arts, clubs, and organizations, so everyone feels like they are apart of something. One of the best tings is the community comes together and supports so many things our schools do, whether it's showing up for sports games and concerts, buying fundraising items, or donating time and money. Anyone who goes to an Allen school knows how lucky they are to be in such a great school district!... Read 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 24

• Students 21,617

• Wylie, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  150 reviews

Senior: Wylie has always been the most welcoming school the first time I ever stepped into a building almost 12 years ago. We have Wylie Way days where we step forward as a community and show how amazing of a school district we really are. The faculty and staff are amazing as well. Everyone is always making sure we have a perfect learning environment as well as making class fun. If I didn't go to Wylie, I wouldn't be where I am today. I feel safe walking into my classes everyday and I am always ready to learn! We have so many amazing clubs and after school activities that help me feel more welcomed each and everyday. I have never not felt welcomed in Wylie ISD. If I could stay with this community forever, I sure would!... Read 150 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 20

• Students 17,482

• Plano, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  258 reviews

Senior: The Plano Independent School district has three academy high school that students can attend. The IB academy , the STEM academy, and The Health Sciences Academy. I will graduate from the Health Science Academy program in 2021. It was absolutely great! I will have Certified Nurses Assistant, Electrocardiogram Technician, and Emergency Medical Technician certifications when I graduate High School as well as an Associates degree. I have gained tremendous exposure to the health care field from my clinical experience. I have gained a wealth of knowledge about the human body from the anatomical structure to the cellar level. I feel like I already have a head start on medical school and I haven’t even graduated high school.... Read 258 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 79

• Students 50,154

• Argyle, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  27 reviews

Parent: We have been in the Argyle for 2 years. We used to homeschool and some of our kids wanted to try public school. Having experience with the Hilltop Elementary , Argyle Intermediate, & Argyle High School...we have loved our experience. The transition was very smooth for the kids. I will tell you I was very selective on what school district we would place our kids. There is no perfect school, but Argyle ISD has exceeded my expectations. I will also share we foster kids as well, some have not had the best academics and Argyle ISD, teachers, & staff have made the process very smooth for all of our kids. They have gone above and beyond to help with the needs of our kids. Now looking for a larger home, we don’t want to leave Argyle!... Read 27 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 5

• Students 3,795

• Sunnyvale, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  26 reviews

Senior: I like how friendly everyone in the district is. Sunnyvale isn't just a school, it feels like a family because everyone knows each other. The teachers and administration make me feel loved, and important, and they are always ready to work every single day. The teachers are willing to help any student, no matter what. They even go as far to help students not just in school, but they help them with their personal problems and things in their lives. The teachers are so much more than just teachers. I wouldn't change anything about the school.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,025

• Lewisville, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  331 reviews

Senior: As someone who had been a part of LISD throughout k-12, the district has been a very welcoming place. From teachers who are understanding and prioritized learning to programs and courses that allowed students to explore into more intricate matters. In my personal experience from TECC-West, there was a class “Culinary & Hospitality” that had taught me many skills to put forth into the real world. The diversity here is great, with many students and teachers coming from different backgrounds. There is no tolerance for any sort of harrassment, as they are usually put to a complete halt. If there was one thing I would change, it would be to add more courses and lessons onto preparing students into College. Especially with looking forth for any financial aid for students who may not be able to afford furthering their education.... Read 331 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 64

• Students 49,361

• Rockwall, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  110 reviews

Niche User: The overall curriculum expectations are so high here, but that's simply because we have some of the best teachers in the state here! Our students win national and state level competitions all the time, and our overall atmosphere exudes confidence. The only real thing I have problems with are that the school is so competitive that some students that would be valedictorians at any other school become top 20% students here. We also have many, many students per class so you really have to compete for the attention of the teachers in some classes. The classes aren't tough to pass, but to keep track of more than 2 AP classes in one year is just exhausting and makes the experience stressful. This stress is assuaged slightly by the school events such as Jacket Feast (a day where food trucks from downtown DFW are available during lunch time) and Dodgeball/Volleyball tournaments though. Regardless of these cushiony extras, the school is high quality but difficult.... Read 110 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 22

• Students 16,987

• Keller, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  202 reviews

Junior: Great school district! I have been enrolled now for six years. Starting in 6th grade and now entering my junior year of high school, I think it's great. It has amazing opportunities such as the Keller Center for Advanced Learning, where I am currently studying to become a CNA and further myself in the medical career field. I am so lucky to be in this district. I went to middle school at Timber View and couldn't have asked for a better experience. My freshman and sophomore years of high school were spent at Timber Creek which is also a phenomenal school, and now I am attending Central, hoping for a great year. Keller also has some of the best teachers around, they are devoted to their students and know what they are teaching. I am so glad that I am in the Keller ISD school district.... Read 202 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 41

• Students 34,319

• Bedford, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  217 reviews

Senior: The diversity is great, there are many cultures and the schools take time to learn about each one by having spirit days such as international day where the students and staff dress in their traditional clothing with no fear of being discriminated again, and most of the teachers seem to care about their students grades by helping them pass by offering extra tutoring and keeping up with grades daily . The facilities are not the nicest or newest but the administration and staff does their best to keep it looking nice and clean. The sports teams are like families and they often win the event they are competing in. Athletes are not allowed to participate in their sport without a passing grade which shows that academics are a big part of the school. All these aspects also go for the music programs that are offered in HEBISD. Parents at this school are also very involved whether that is through sports or PTA meetings, they are also on campus or ready to help staff members at any given time... Read 217 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 33

• Students 22,962

• Mckinney, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  130 reviews

Senior: MISD has some pros and cons, just like all school districts. I wish that our school was more lenient on things like dress code and would focus more on actual issues on campus like fights/vaping/the way some boys act around women. The school has very advanced programs where students are able to earn certifications in many fields. This is how I was able to become a licensed CNA before turning 18. I have made some great friends over the years and overall would say that MISD is a good school district in need of some minor adjustments.... Read 130 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 32

• Students 23,398

• Mansfield, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  566 reviews

Senior: Mansfield ISD just started this new thing called College, Career, and Readiness program to ensure that students are academically prepared for college, trade school, and life. This new program has changed the whole outlook on education because now students are required to take these classes and if they don’t pass the class they cannot graduate high school. To some it might sound unfair because for some people school is just not their thing, but that’s okay they want students to be well rounded. That’s why they require students to take at least 2-3 electives a school year to ensure they dive into different fields that may peak their interest.... Read 566 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 44

• Students 35,127

• Melissa, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: My time at Melissa high school has been a good experience. Although the food was poor, the tables would always creak, and not all the teachers were the best, I couldn't have asked for more. I was always surrounded by loving people, and academics were always put first by my teachers. I especially loves my theater department, and I even have the exceptional opportunity to travel to a state competition with them. This is a great school and I highly reccomend it.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 4,104

• Denton, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  135 reviews

Senior: My experience with Denton ISD has been great from kindergarten to my senior year in high school. The staff and teachers in this district have always effectively communicated with my family and I, whenever needed. They have some of the best staff around, whom genuinely care about the students families. I have always received support from Denton ISD in regards to my education. I remember when I was in elementary school, and my family and I experienced a devastating loss. Teachers and staff from the district all came together collectively and individually to show support for my family during our time of grief. They offered time, a listening ear and many other resources to assist my family and I with overcoming our tragedy. For that, we will always be thankful and supportive of Denton ISD. There is not much that I would want to change about Denton Independent School District, we are a district that continues to grow and become one of the best in the state of Texas.... Read 135 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 42

• Students 30,267

• Fort Worth, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  112 reviews

Junior: There's so many opportunities for student athletes and people who want to exceed academically. In middle school, I was your average C student who didn't take college and future careers seriously. I was never interested in sports and or clubs. Now, as a high school junior, I am president of a club, involved in 3 sports, and is on a dance team! I also have a great group of friends and huge support system by teachers and staff.... Read 112 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 29

• Students 21,245

• Justin, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  184 reviews

Junior: I never fully appreciated schools in the NISD district until I came back from another school (a charter school). In my experience back to NISD, I had better care, education, and overall experience. I managed to go from C's and D's back to my usual average, A & B average when I came back to this district. I now have qualified teachers and more opportunities within schools in the NISD district. And for that I am forever grateful!... Read 184 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 30

• Students 25,383

• Richardson, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  122 reviews

Senior: Great school district! Teachers care about student success and it is a culturally diverse district. Lots of opportunities to be involved in athletics, fine arts, and different school clubs. I have received a very high quality education in the RISD.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 55

• Students 37,787

• Fort Worth, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  15 reviews

Alum: the community of FWAFA is something that is difficult to describe to someone unless they have experienced it first hand. In college, I have found it a strange experience trying to tell stories of my middle school and highschool experiences and making it sound normal. Because nothing about FWAFA is normal. And that’s the beauty of it. FWAFA is a place to come and learn more about yourself through the guidance of caring teachers and wonderful artistic expression. While the academics are not the strongest, the connections you make with your educators is far more valuable. This is a safe space for anyone willing to be themselves. FWAFA is a school filled with connection, honesty, vulnerability, uniqueness, boldness, accountability, and expression. My time at FWAFA was wonderfully frustrating. I would not change a thing about it.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 2

• Students 635

• Haltom City, TX•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  101 reviews

Senior: I liked how there has never been a fight on campus, which is surprising since public schools are know for having kids starting drama and all sorts of shenanigans. The only complaint I have are that dress code and wearing a lanyard is made more important than the harassment I have seen on campus. I, for one, have been trailed and searched for, videoed without permission, and even whistled at. It even upset me to hear from a close friend that teachers had talked about my appearance. School is not only a place to socialize and learn, but a way to express oneself in a safe environment. In this way, students can make an impact on their society without the judgement of adults and those alike.... Read 101 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 34

• Students 22,736