William B Travis Acad/Vangrd for Academically Tag

Excellent School! They challenge the students and they performance above the expectations. Travis is the best school in Dallas and it is one of the top schools in USA. My daughter has been in Travis since 4th grade (she is going to 7th) and we are 100% sure that being part of Travis has increased her opportunities for succeed in life. Of course this kind of school requires a high level of parental involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Some of the teachers do not do their job. Then, they evaluate the students about a curriculum that they never taught. In addition, they do not represent the ethnicity of the students. Some of them are arrogant and inaccessible. Apparently, they have forgotten why they are in education. It is all about the students. The principal is inaccessible. It is easier to get an appointment with the DISD Superintend than with her.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has exceptional leaders, from the top to the bottom. It's all about preparing the students for their future! This school deserves 5 Star's. Darryl Matthews Sr
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is in his second year at Travis TAG Vanguard, and has just applied to be admitted to the Academy (middle school). He loves Travis and has been challenged by all his teachers, and particularly by his peers. Travis kids are motivated and smart. It is 'cool' to be an achiever at Travis TAG. Travis is more than just a great DISD school, or a great public school -- it is a great school, period.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School!! Doesn't get any better than Travis!!
—Submitted by a parent

I find Travis a warm, caring school from the Principal to the custodians. Student success is the center concern. Since top students are there they are expected to be sharp and put forth a lot of effort. That is what I and my children love about the school! There is no room for slackers. If your child needs to be challenged and prepared for college, this is your school! It has been the best experience for my children!
—Submitted by a parent

Be careful what you wish for. When they call it the homework school, they are *not* kidding. Our daughter passed Travis 4th grade with all A's and B's (was 4.0 and TAG+ at her local school). By October of 5th grade, she was spending 3 hours daily doing homework. Add in a club or two and there is absolutely no time left for a social life, non-school activities, or even family time. She left Travis for 6th grade. They have the accelerated academic programs, but if you want your kid to have time to be a kid, I don't recommend it. Art is not offered for elementary except after school. No sports--PE was 'freetime'. Band was good. I really wanted a TAG school that would help her develop her gifts and explore new areas, but they just wanted her to work fast in every subject. Her.teachers.were.impatient.and.did.not.have.time.for.questions.or.problem.resolution. She.was.commended.on.all.3.TAKS.but.because.of.the.pace.her.grades.dropped.by.year.end.
—Submitted by a parent

I think travis is a really great school, but don't expect it to be really organized beacuse it's not. I still go there and I have to say any flyers or notices about events tend to be sent home about 2 days before the event. There are a lot of really good things about though. For instance, students in the 5th grade or higher are allowed to participate in math competitions. The math club teachers truly love 'showing us off ' and are almost always teaching us new things that are at the level of kids 2 or 3 grades higher than our own. Overall, it's a really grear school!
—Submitted by a student

I love Travis. I feel my children have truly excelled in academics during their four year period at this school. I highly recommend each and every teacher. The TAG program is truly exceptional and I think my kids are learning more in this short period of time than I did in High school. The curiculum is amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with great learning envirement
—Submitted by a student

travis is probably the best is some areas of what DISD can offer, but there are compromises and limitations and in effect, is damning travis with faint praise. DISD does not do sports well at all for magnet schools. poor leadership at Travis equates to poor strategic vision. why isn't foreign languages taught at elementary level? why isn't algebra and geometry taught for high school credit at the travis middle school for those students who qualify and want the challenge. the teaching staff, taken as a whole is probably the best in the district, but there have been some spectacular failures in personnel choices in the past and that continues. The best thing about the school is that it is a stand alone talented and gifted campus...and that's good and challenging for the students. Travis should be fighting to distinguish itself as a destination that is different than successful neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

I used to go to Travis and I really enjoyed the experience. I attended the school when it first reopened into the 4th grade so I was able to see all the teachers and get to know them. This was the most scary but best experience a kid can feel.
—Submitted by Steven Nguyen, a former student

W.B. Travis is a magnet school in the D.I.S.D. and it is their best kept secret. Don't bother applying your average child here though. While the child may gain entry, they will surely have difficulties as the staff is convinced that they should not have to re-teach or explain anything since they are teaching talented and gifted children. But for the child who excels and willingly accepts a challenge, there is no better school in the public system. It's like being in a private school on public dollars.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is one of the greatest in the Dallas Independent School District! I attended this school in 6th and part of my 7th grade year. The teachers here are fabulous. They really care about their students. The principal and the assistant principal really care as well. Any student that attends William B. Travis Vanguard/Academy will have a truly great experience.
—Submitted by a former student