Highland Park ISD — The Park Cities School District Guide for Relocating Families

Highland Park ISD at a Glance

Highland Park ISD serves two cities — Highland Park and University Park — two small, wealthy municipalities completely surrounded by the City of Dallas. Together they are known as the “Park Cities.” With approximately 7,000 students across seven campuses, HPISD is one of the smallest public school districts in DFW by enrollment and one of the most academically accomplished by any measure. Its TEA score of 97 places it consistently at or near the top of all school districts in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

What sets Highland Park ISD apart is not just its ratings but what produces them: extraordinary per-pupil resources (exceeding $20,000 annually — among the highest in Texas), a community culture that is deeply invested in academic achievement, and a high school that sends graduates to Ivy League and top-twenty universities at rates that rival private prep schools. Families who prioritize academic outcomes above all other considerations, and who have the financial means to access the Park Cities real estate market, will find HPISD unmatched in the DFW metro.

TEA Rating & Academic Performance

Texas assigns each school district an A–F accountability rating annually through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Highland Park ISD consistently earns a TEA rating of A with a score of 97 — placing it among the two or three highest-scoring school districts in all of DFW and among the top-performing districts in Texas by this measure.

How the TEA Rating Is Calculated

TEA ratings are built on three domains:

• Student Achievement — STAAR test scores, graduation rates, college and career readiness
• School Progress — year-over-year academic growth for all students
• Closing the Gaps — performance equity across student subgroups

A score of 97 means HPISD is performing at the ceiling on virtually every measurable academic outcome the state tracks. For context: a score of 90–100 earns an A. Very few Texas school districts of any size sustain a score above 95. Highland Park ISD does so consistently.

Per-pupil expenditure exceeds $20,000 annually — among the highest in all of Texas — driven by a local M&O (Maintenance and Operations) tax base supported by some of the highest property values of any school district in the state. The district carries a TEA FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) rating of Superior, the highest financial tier.

Academics & College Preparation

Highland Park ISD’s academic output is the headline differentiator. The district’s graduation rate of approximately 99% is essentially universal. More significantly, the percentage of graduates who are college-ready — and specifically, who gain admission to highly selective universities — is exceptional for any public school district in the United States.

National Merit Scholars

Highland Park High School produces National Merit Scholars at a rate that ranks among the highest of any public high school in the country. Year after year, a meaningful percentage of HP’s graduating class receives National Merit commendation, semifinalist, or finalist recognition — a direct reflection of the academic culture embedded at the district level beginning in elementary school. Many DFW families specifically target HPISD because of this record.

Advanced Placement

The AP catalog at Highland Park High School is comprehensive. Nearly the entire honors-track curriculum is delivered through AP courses, covering every major academic discipline. AP enrollment rates are high, AP pass rates (scores of 3 or above) are well above state and national averages, and the expectation in the HP academic culture is that academically capable students take the most rigorous courses available. There is no separate IB program — the district’s academic depth is delivered through a traditional honors-and-AP structure that functions at a level comparable to, and in many outcomes superior to, IB programs at larger suburban ISDs.

College Acceptances

Highland Park HS graduates attend Ivy League and top-twenty universities at rates that far exceed the norms for public high schools in Texas. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice, UT Austin Plan II, and comparable selective programs are regular destinations for HP graduates. This is partly a function of academic preparation and partly a function of the community’s resources and college counseling infrastructure — both of which are exceptional.

UIL Academic Competition

Highland Park ISD is a consistent state-level competitor in UIL Academic programs — math, science, debate, journalism, and literary criticism among them. UIL Academic Competition at HP is taken seriously, with coaching, preparation, and a culture of intellectual competition that reinforces the district’s overall academic identity.

Campuses & School Structure

Highland Park ISD operates seven campuses serving students from early childhood through twelfth grade. The small district size — roughly 7,000 students across seven schools — means campuses are intimate compared to most DFW ISDs. Highland Park High School enrolls approximately 2,000 students, which is considered large for HPISD but modest by the standards of suburban ISDs like Allen (5,800) or Frisco (3,500+).

Signature Programs & Pathways

Highland Park ISD delivers academic rigor through a comprehensive AP and honors structure rather than through IB or specialized magnet programs. The district’s depth comes from extraordinary per-pupil resources, a teaching staff with unusually high retention rates, and a community culture where academic achievement is a shared expectation.

Special Education & Support Services

Highland Park ISD provides special education services under the full IDEA continuum, as required by federal law. The district’s Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee process determines each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) based on evaluation results and parent input.

A Note on HPISD’s Small District Size

Because HPISD serves approximately 7,000 students — a fraction of the enrollment at Frisco ISD or Allen ISD — support services are more individualized by default. Caseloads are smaller. The district is known within the special education community for its willingness to accommodate high-achieving students with learning differences (dyslexia support, 504 plans, ADHD accommodations) through strong coordination between the ARD team and classroom teachers. The academic culture does not treat a learning difference as incompatible with an academically ambitious program of study.

Service Continuum

HPISD provides the full IDEA service continuum, including:

• Inclusion and co-teach — special education students in general education classrooms with support
• Resource room — small-group instruction in targeted skill areas
• Self-contained settings — for students requiring more structured environments
• Dyslexia services — district-wide dyslexia identification and intervention program
• Transition services — post-secondary planning beginning at age 16 or earlier per IEP

Related services include speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, assistive technology, and counseling, as determined by the ARD committee and the student’s IEP.

Out-of-State IEP Transfers

Texas law requires HPISD to convene an ARD meeting within 30 days of enrollment to review any out-of-state IEP. Comparable services must be provided during that 30-day window. After the ARD, the district may adopt the existing IEP, amend it, or initiate a new evaluation. Bring all prior evaluation reports and IEP documentation to the enrollment appointment — not just the IEP summary page. Contact HPISD’s Special Education Department proactively before enrollment to begin the coordination process.

Section 504

Students with a documented disability that substantially limits a major life activity but who do not qualify for special education services may be eligible for a 504 Accommodation Plan. Given the high-pressure academic environment at HPISD, 504 plans are an important tool for students with ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, or other conditions that may require testing accommodations or instructional adjustments. Out-of-state 504 plans are reviewed by the campus 504 coordinator at enrollment.

Athletics at Highland Park ISD

Highland Park ISD competes at the UIL 5A level — one classification below the top tier (6A), reflecting the district’s smaller enrollment. The Scots consistently compete at a high level across multiple sports, and several programs have built national reputations.

Swimming

Highland Park’s swimming program is among the strongest in Texas high school athletics. The district’s aquatic facilities are excellent, and the program has produced state champions and nationally competitive swimmers year over year. For families with competitive swimmers, HPISD is one of the most attractive public school destinations in the state.

Tennis

Tennis has historically been one of HPISD’s strongest UIL sports, with team and individual state competitors in most years. The Park Cities community’s relationship with tennis — private clubs, club teams, year-round play — creates an unusually deep feeder system for the high school program. Highland Park HS tennis is among the most recognized programs in North Texas.

Football, Basketball, and Other Sports

The Scots field competitive programs in football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse (club), golf, track and field, and cross country. UIL 5A means Highland Park competes against schools of comparable enrollment — which puts the Scots in a competitive tier where resources and academic-athletics balance are well-matched. Football at HP carries its own community traditions and is well-attended; Highland Park Stadium is a central gathering point for the community.

School Choice, Open Enrollment & Residency

Highland Park ISD is a residence-only district. There is no open enrollment, no transfer program, and no magnet or choice pathway for non-residents. If you do not own or rent a primary residence within the city limits of Highland Park or University Park, your child cannot attend HPISD schools. This policy is strict and enforced.

The Boundary Is the Product

More than almost any other school district in DFW, Highland Park ISD is a real estate decision as much as it is a school decision. Access to HPISD is priced into every home within the district boundaries. That access premium is significant — median home values in the Park Cities are among the highest in all of North Texas, routinely ranging from $1 million to $5 million and beyond. Families who purchase in the Park Cities specifically for HPISD are making a calculated investment in their children’s educational environment.

Renting Qualifies — With Verification

You do not need to own a home to access HPISD. A rental of a primary residence within Highland Park or University Park city limits qualifies. However, the residence must be a genuine primary residence — not a temporary arrangement or a mailing-address workaround. Address verification may include utility bills in the parent or guardian’s name, a signed lease, and photo ID. The district takes residency verification seriously.

The Adjacent-Dallas Address Problem

This is the most common and costly mistake families make when targeting HPISD. The Park Cities are geographically surrounded by the City of Dallas. There are streets where one side of the road is in University Park (HPISD) and the other side is in Dallas (Dallas ISD). A home with a Dallas mailing address, even one physically adjacent to University Park, is not in HPISD. The boundary is drawn by municipal city limit, not by neighborhood feel or mailing address. A Dallas 75205 zip code does not guarantee HPISD. Always verify using the TEA School District Locator at tea.texas.gov and the Dallas County Appraisal District before purchasing.

Verifying Your Address

Use three verification methods before making any purchase decision based on HPISD assignment:

• TEA School District Locator — tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/general-information/school-district-locator
• Dallas County Appraisal District (DCAD) — dcad.org; look up the specific parcel and read the taxing jurisdictions listed
• HPISD enrollment office — call or email hpisd.org directly and provide the property address for confirmation

Never rely on a zip code, a neighborhood name, or a real estate listing’s school attribution without independent verification. School data in real estate databases is frequently outdated or incorrect along district boundaries.

District Finances & Tax Rate

Understanding HPISD’s tax rate and per-pupil spending is essential for any family budgeting a Park Cities home purchase.

Current Tax Rate

Highland Park ISD’s total tax rate is $0.97 per $100 of assessed value. This is one of the lowest school district tax rates in DFW — lower than Allen ($1.13), McKinney (~$1.17), Prosper ($1.26), and many other high-performing ISDs. However, because Park Cities home values are among the highest in North Texas, the absolute dollar amount is substantial even at this low rate.

The Math on Park Cities Taxes

The rate is low. The values are high. Here is what that means in practice:

• $1,500,000 home — minus $100,000 homestead exemption = $1,400,000 taxable value → $13,580 / year in HPISD school taxes
• $2,500,000 home — minus $100,000 exemption = $2,400,000 taxable value → $23,280 / year in HPISD school taxes
• Rental property — no homestead exemption; full assessed value is taxed at $0.97

DCAD (Dallas County Appraisal District) sets the assessed value; verify current appraised value at dcad.org for any specific property before finalizing your budget.

Why Per-Pupil Spending Is So High

Per-pupil expenditure in HPISD exceeds $20,000 annually — driven almost entirely by the local M&O (Maintenance and Operations) tax base. Because Park Cities property values are so high, the same $0.97 rate generates extraordinary per-pupil revenue. That revenue funds exceptional teacher salaries (contributing to retention and experience levels well above the Texas average), state-of-the-art facilities, deep extracurricular programming, and small class sizes. The financial mechanism is self-reinforcing: high home values create high school funding, which sustains exceptional outcomes, which maintain high home values.

TEA FIRST Rating: Superior

HPISD holds a Superior FIRST financial rating — the highest tier — meaning the district manages public funds with full integrity and transparency. Families paying into the HPISD tax base can be confident those dollars are being stewarded effectively.

Enrolling in Highland Park ISD

HPISD enrollment is managed through the district office at 7015 Westchester Drive, Dallas, TX 75205, and through the online enrollment portal accessible at hpisd.org. Enrollment windows for the upcoming school year typically open in spring. Mid-year and rolling enrollment is available for families relocating during the school year.

Required Documents

Residency verification is strictly enforced. You will need:

• Proof of primary residence within Highland Park or University Park city limits — mortgage statement or signed lease agreement, AND at least one utility bill in the parent or guardian’s name showing the Park Cities address
• Photo ID — parent or guardian government-issued ID
• Birth certificate — certified copy of the enrolling student
• Immunization records — Texas-required vaccines per DSHS schedule; out-of-state records are accepted if immunizations are current
• Prior school records — most recent report card, transcript, standardized test scores
• IEP, 504, or evaluation documentation — if applicable; bring all evaluation reports, not just the summary

Residency Verification — What to Expect

Because HPISD is a high-demand district with a strict residence-only policy, residency verification is taken seriously. Families in rental situations should bring a fully executed lease that shows the Park Cities address. Families who have closed on a home but not yet moved should bring the closing disclosure as proof of ownership, with a utility transfer or connection confirmation for the Park Cities address. The district may request additional documentation if the initial submission is ambiguous.

Timeline for Relocating Families

If your closing is scheduled between April and August, initiate the enrollment process as soon as closing documents are available. HPISD’s campuses are popular and fully enrolled by fall — the earlier you complete enrollment, the smoother the process. For mid-year relocations, enrollment can typically be completed within a few business days once all documents are submitted and residency is confirmed.

How This District Compares

Relocating families rarely evaluate a single district in isolation. Here's how this district stacks up against the two to three alternatives families most commonly cross-shop, framed around the factors that actually drive the decision.

Tax rates are 2025 certified totals per $100 assessed value. Enrollment figures are approximate. TEA grades reflect the most recent published accountability cycle. Always verify current data at txschools.gov and the Texas Comptroller's website.

Highland Park ISD — Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Texas Education Agency (TEA) — txschools.gov, 2024–25 accountability ratings
• Highland Park ISD — hpisd.org, official district data and enrollment information
• Niche.com — 2025 school and district ratings
• Dallas County Appraisal District (DCAD) — dcad.org, property tax rate and assessment data
• TEA FIRST Financial Integrity Ratings — tea.texas.gov
• TEA School District Locator — tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/general-information/school-district-locator
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) — nces.ed.gov
• College Board — AP program data, collegeboard.org