Merriman Park Elementary School

We love this school. We transferred in from a different school and I could not be more happy. This school has a real sense of family that you can't help but notice as you walk the halls. There is a great deal of parental involvement which makes MPE even better. My daughter is in kindergarten and children from every grade know who she is. She has become such an exceptional young lady this past year. I am always blown away by what she tells me she learned at school that day. I really have to sum up our experience at MPE as incredible. My kids truly feel like this is their second home!!
--Submitted by a parent

Merriman Park has been a great fit for our family! Every teacher we've had over the past 4 years have done their best to teach to each child. Laurie Taylor is the most amazing, committed, and creative Principal! She cares as much about the success of our school and childen as we do. Merriman Park Elementary is a big family!
--Submitted by a parent

I love MPE and have for the past seven years!! GO PANTHERS!! I love all the teachers, and this is where i made all my really good friends.

We moved to Dallas almost 3 years ago, and we researched all of the DFW area schools. We knew that Richardson ISD is where we wanted to be, and after touring all of the elementary school in Lake Highlands, Merriman Park was the place for us! The teachers and other staff were so welcoming and kind, and the PTA members in charge of the PeeWee Panthers (preschool) program were so helpful. After my twin girls started kindergarten there, we were convinced that we made the right choice. Not only do we know that our children will get the best education possible there, but we have made wonderful friends that feel like our own family. Thanks Merriman Park staff and families!!
--Submitted by a parent

I currently have two children attending MPE and have nothing but the highest praise for this amazing school. Not only are my children thriving academically but almost as importantly, socially! My children have respect for others and for themselves, treat their friends with kindness, are eager to learn and love going to school. The principal is OUTSTANDING and the teaching staff is the most nurturing, caring and gifted faculty you could ask for. It's a "yes" school - if a parent or teacher has an idea to improve the learning environment for the students, the principal says YES - how can we implement it, what can we do to help! It is truly an amazing place to be and I wouldn't want my children anywhere else! We love being involved and supporting our amazing neighborhood school!
--Submitted by a parent

Merriman Park has been a perfect fit for our family! It has been such a wonderful experience to attend our neighborhood school. I would put our principal, Laurie Taylor, up against any other...she is the best! Our teachers are fun, energetic and they stay year after year. It's been so nice to have several teachers who grew up in Lake Highlands, and even some who went to MPE themselves. The parents are dedicated to making the school successful and the community is so supportive. Come see what MPE is all about...you will love it!
--Submitted by a parent

Academically, this school has done extremely well. Noone can argue that. It has quite a diverse student population with the majority being black 41%. Visit the school's website and you would NEVER think the majority of the students are black. There is, however, ONE black teacher in the entire school. This has to be resolved. I can't imagine such as disparity in majority white school. INSANE! Diversity has to be embraced there. This is what builds great teams a collection of individuals with varying experiences, backgrounds, and cultures. I am sure there are many black and hispanic well qualified teachers. I know the self-esteam of the majority student body has to be suffering.

The family-like atmosphere at MPE reflects the excellent communication between parents, students and faculty.
--Submitted by a parent

MPE is an admirable public school. The fault I have with it, as seemingly others in the area, is that it only has programs for 'smart' students (not just REACH now but another 'uber' REACH level). This is terrific if you fall within that level (would have been great when I was younger and could have benefited from these programs). However, Unless these REACH kids are being separated from the masses so that the teachers can better teach to the avg. and possibly below average student, this does nothing for those masses. And kids that fall within the latter, will start to fall behind. It's just a fact. I have to agree with others' comments about promoting kids to the next grade. Not all kids are ready (even at the lower grade levels b/f TAKS). This does a great disservice to the kid and will snowball in later years.
--Submitted by a parent

MPE is truly a remarkable school. Each child is taught individually and as a classroom. Truly 'No Child is Left Behind'.
--Submitted by a parent