William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted
Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: (972) 794-7500
Fax: (972) 794-7501
District: Dallas Independent School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 4,5,6,7,8 • 517 students
William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted, a public school located in Dallas, TX, serves grades 4-8 in the Dallas Independent School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted is a public school located in Dallas, TX. 517 students attend William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 10/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) data from Texas Education Agency. |
| Student Growth | 10/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Percentage of students meeting growth target data from Texas Education Agency. |
Posted: October 18, 2022
Travis is an exceptional school with truly passionate teachers + administration to help guide our bright students beyond the books + testing. The school is very welcoming and is focused on academics as well as the arts through its world-class art, theatre + music programs. Every day, my child is excited to go to school + learn, which to a parent, is an awesome thing to see!
Posted: October 18, 2022
Posted: October 18, 2022
Posted: October 18, 2022
Posted: October 18, 2022
Posted: October 18, 2022
Posted: October 18, 2022
Posted: October 18, 2022
Posted: April 5, 2022
Posted: April 5, 2022
Posted: April 5, 2022
This school is wonderful in all areas. Their test scores are amazing and the school prepares your child for high school/college. Equity is also amazing at Travis. The teachers treat everyone equally and the feeder program allows under-served to students to blossom.
Posted: April 5, 2022
Posted: April 5, 2022
Posted: April 5, 2022
Posted: April 5, 2022
Posted: April 5, 2022
Posted: October 2, 2020
Posted: October 2, 2020
Posted: October 2, 2020
We have a new principal who is awesome and making some really positive changes.
Posted: October 2, 2020
Posted: October 2, 2020
The school feels like a small, private school with lots of parental involvement and a very positive vibe. The kids all test to get into this school and there is a strong sense of pride felt throughout
Posted: October 2, 2020
Excellent. Both of our kids go to this school and feel like we've hit the jackpot. They have a great approach of independent learning, project based learning- independent and group. I feel this school really sets kids up for success for study habits, creating presentations, being self reliant, etc.
Posted: October 2, 2020
Posted: March 15, 2013
My child attends Travis and I would like to say that although the curriculum is challenging I believe it makes the students better people; that it shapes them into the kind of people we desire them to be and that we parents hope to someday be ourselves. I guess that's just my opinion and everyone has a right to their own.
Posted: March 10, 2013
Reading through earlier reviews and based on what I heard before our child came, Travis is not the school it once was. Some of the best teachers have retired, and not all of the new teachers are good. Other changes have occurred, such as the kids not being allowed outdoors for even a short recess on many days b/c it is easier to warehouse the kids in the auditorium and not allow any talking. There is not much enforcement of the exit policy, so bad behavior that begins in 4th grade is tolerated, and it only escalates as the kids move up the grade levels. Talking back to teachers, lots of sex talk in the younger grades, and cruel teasing are all tolerated without many consequences. There are still some wonderful teachers; the principal supports the staff; it is likely better than many non-magnet alternatives, but the school could be much better than it is. Also, certain grade levels have excessive homework that is in direct violation of district policy. But the school still has a lot of warmth because there are some great people on the staff who stay the course in the face of demoralizing district policies.
Posted: November 16, 2012
I entered Travis at 5th grade, and I have to admit that it was much more challenging than I thought it would be. Later on, in 7th and 8th grade, math became my favorite "subject", and because of the teachers' dedication, I was able to have a rigorous math course (algebra I) in 8th grade. While math and science are heavily stressed, English and history, however, are of equal status. 8th grade history (US History), in particular, is very challenging, as well as 8th grade English. Now, I am a freshman in SEM at Townview in super fast track. I'm about to take AP Calculus AB in the 2nd semester, and I couldn't have done it without the helpful guidance of both the faculty and students of Travis TAG. I will love it forever! If you are planning to go to a magnet school in the DISD, I advise you to apply to Travis, and I can guarantee that you will not regret said application.
Posted: March 6, 2012
An amazing Dallas ISD school. The teachers and administrative staff enjoy their work, and it shows. My daughter has attended Travis for 2 1/2 years now, and she loves it. My girl is both happier and more socially successful than she was at her last school, as being surrounded by classmates who truly respect academic success is a good thing for a 'serious-student' type child. Travis' curriculum is both challenging and engaging, but the work load is not at all unreasonable for a student with good time management and organization skills. I would not, however, think Travis a good fit for a child (even if exceptionally clever) who needs to be prodded by a parent to get their schoolwork done.
Posted: November 28, 2010
We came to Travis TAG from a prestigious private school in North Dallas. My son entered in 5th grade. We discovered that he had a lot of catching up to do in math and science. I've heard it said before, and I now see it first hand, most private schools don't teach math and science well. Now that we left the private school world, I see that we were basically paying quite a high price tag for a good education, but not a great one. The teachers at Travis TAG are very demanding and excellent at teaching their subjects. They answer emails on weekends and evenings. Our math teacher even offers free tutoring to help children keep up with her advanced program. All the teachers my son has had have exhibited great insight into his personality. And unlike our previous private school Principal, the Travis Principal actually knows my son's name and says hello to him in the hallway. You won't find a football program at Traivs TAG. But considering the fact that U.S. students rank 34th in the world on math proficiency, I'd say Travis is your best bet for raising a child who is prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st century.
Posted: August 25, 2010
My daughter has recently started the new school year at Travis for her first year - 4th - and loves the school. She feels very connected with the other children, her self esteem is higher than ever and the teachers and administrators have her very excited about projects for the coming year. Dropping her off and pick ups are not nearly as bad as I thought they might be in Uptown.
Posted: March 7, 2010
Posted: March 22, 2009
Posted: July 24, 2008
Posted: October 1, 2007
Posted: October 1, 2007
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