Other districts may follow Highland Park's lead on class rank

By Lori Stahl and Tawnell D. Hobbs / Matthew Haag and Sam Hodges contributed to this report / The Dallas Morning News
July 2, 2009

Highland Park may be the first public school district in Texas to end the practice of ranking all high school students, but some suburban school districts say they may consider following suit.

Southlake's Carroll Independent School District has already begun studying the issue, and officials there will consider a similar recommendation during the coming school year.

"It's definitely something that we've been talking about," said Becci Rollins, coordinator of counseling.

Highland Park recently decided to stop ranking all but the top 10 or 25 percent of its students, saying the current system of ranking the rest of the students who fall below the line is a disadvantage when applying to colleges.

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Newsweek names HPHS among best in U.S.

Highland Park High School is listed this month among the top high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine. Newsweek includes HPHS, ranked number 23, for its students' participation on Advanced Placement exams.

This is the sixth year Highland Park High School has made Newsweek's "Top 100" listing. HPHS is the highest ranked comprehensive high school in Texas, outscored only by magnet and charter campuses.

Newsweek's article, "America's Best High Schools," compiled a listing of 1,500 high schools, with public schools ranked according to a ratio that divides the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests taken schoolwide by the number of graduating seniors in the school.

Using that ratio, Highland Park High School scored a 6.108, up from 6.035 in 2008, and 5.727 in 2007.

"We are excited to be named to Newsweek's list of the best high schools in America once again," said HPHS Principal Patrick Cates. "This recognition validates the work our students and teachers do every year in our Advanced Placement program. Our program is one of the largest in the country, and we believe that it prepares students for success in any college or university anywhere. This ranking brings honor to our school, our school district, and our communities."

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Dallas designer's Sartel label building its repertoire

The first time we visited Dallasite Matthew Earnest's store, SARTEL, there wasn't a piece of the label's clothing in sight – save for the crisp, navy organza blouse worn by his co-designer, Lily Atherton Hanbury. But chic things come to those who wait. The Shops at Highland Park boutique now holds a small, tightly edited collection of the duo's highly refined wardrobe staples.

"We're establishing who Sartel is," says Earnest, noting that London-based Hanbury serves not just as co-designer, but as the prototypical Sartel woman, a highly polished someone who "goes to work, goes out, has a kid."

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Dallas luxury hotels reduce rates, focus on service

By SOPHIA DEMBLING / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Luxury? In this economic climate? Are we nuts?

No, really. Everyday luxury is a thing of the past for most of us, but even so, if you have a special occasion warranting a luxury break, now is a great time because luxury hotels are feeling the pinch, too, and they want you.

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Holding Kids Back a Year for School Common in Affluent Areas

Enrollment records show that holding children back a year is more prevalent in affluent school districts, a process called "Redshirting." This gives the child an extra year to learn and still allows them to play sports for three years.

Redshirting - November 2, 2007 Topix - News 11

Dallas Trinity River Project

Dallas voters endorse Trinity Toll Road. The vote means the city's Trinity River project, an ambitious plan to transform the barren river corridor, will proceed as planned. In addition to the higwhway, the project includes increased flood protection, a downtown park and other recreational amenities. Dallas News - November 6, 2007.

Preston Hollow Boy is Youngest Mensa Member

Preston Hollow Boy is Youngest Mensa Member

Mensa, the international organization for the highly intelligent, accepted Mason for membership this year. At the time, the Preston Hollow preschooler was the youngest Mensan in North Texas and the sixth-youngest in the United States. He is 5 years old.

Preston Hollow Real Estate