DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Downtown Dallas, Inc. has submitted a formal proposal in support of a Downtown elementary school to the Dallas Independent School District.
After years of research on demographics and demands Downtown, DDI identified education as one of the key areas of focus in the 360 Plan update, which was unanimously approved by the Dallas City Council earlier this month. In the proposal filed December 19, DDI suggests bringing a Montessori Elementary School model to the urban core. According to DDI officials, the school would uniquely utilize Downtown’s parks, museums, library and much more as an experiential learning campus. That recommendation results from research on what choice school model would have the most success Downtown, and is largely based on high demand and waiting lists for other Montessori programs within the District.
“Based on preliminary work by DDI’s Education Task Force from 2011-2013, plus over 18 months of community outreach through The 360 Plan update, it has become remarkably apparent that – simply — we need more great schools in Downtown,” said DDI President and CEO Kourtny Garrett. “This fact is particularly true when looking at the early childhood through elementary ages. Our resident base is maturing and surveys tell us people want to stay Downtown, but we need to provide them things, like schools, that make it a complete neighborhood in which to plant their roots.”
The Downtown Montessori School would also serve as a “commuter school,” open to both Downtown residents and employees. A recent survey conducted by DDI through some of the largest employers in the Downtown showed that more than two-thirds of workers with school-age children would be interested in enrolling their kids in a Dallas ISD elementary school Downtown. DDI said there are 11,000 residents within Downtown, and more than 50,000 in surrounding neighborhoods. DDI expects to add 20,000 residents in the next 2-5 years.
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