Posted March 31, 2010 by

University Park Elementary, Highland Park ISD Review

University Park Elementary, home of the Panthers and known to most of the 75225 zip code as UP Elementary, is the newest of the four historic elementary schools that serve the Park Cities.  The schools apt motto is "Today's Learners, Tomorrow's Leaders."  Built in 1928, this school is not only known for its students, who boast academic achievements that consistently rank highest scholastically in the nation (see here for a full list) but also its creative and undeterred parental involvement.  Among the tireless teachers, many of whom hold Masters Degrees, see each student as an individual, and thus tailors education to meet their specific needs.  With about 400 students on campus, the student/teacher ratio is excellent, and the district spends an above-average amount on each student's educational experience.  But it's the community pride and involvement that make this school stand out. 

Traditions like "Pumkin Day" date back to 1970; the pumpkin-lined campus, principal-led storytelling, and a parent-run carnival of this event are only one example of what makes this such a special environment of child-invested, success-at-all-costs learning environment.  The school's PTA organized the "75th Diamond Gala" for the school's seventy-fifth anniversary and raised over $185,000 for school programs.  Meanwhile, the students consistently excel in computer skills, reading-levels, and test scores (details here) that put them in the top 2% collectively in the nation.  Like all the Highland Park ISD schools, University Park Elementary has been ranked "Excellent" every year since the school-ranking system came into existance.  If that's not reason enough to celebrate this institution of learning, then you can bet that the positive impact that this high-calibar school makes on the surrounding real-estate values will be.  For more information on UP Elementary, click here, and for a map, click here. 

If you have any questions about moving to or living in the Park Cities, please give me a call at 214-738-7404 or email me at ErinWhiteDavis@gmail.com.  I'd love to speak with you.