Dallas Academy is deeply grateful to the Hillcrest Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee, for their generous grant of $25,000 in support of providing transportation for students with learning differences. This transformative gift will enable Dallas Academy to purchase a new school van, ensuring that students have safe and reliable access to not only their educational needs, but also to extra-curricular activities, athletic programs, field trips, and a variety of enriching learning experiences.

Additionally, funds raised from this year’s DA Through the Decades auction contributed significantly to the purchase of this much-needed vehicle, further underscoring the community's dedication to supporting Dallas Academy's mission.

"Thank you so much for this wonderful news and the generous gift to Dallas Academy," said Elizabeth Murski, Head of School at Dallas Academy. "Transportation for our learning-different students is a critical need, as it allows them the freedom to participate in activities that are vital to their development. This grant, along with the funds raised through the DA Through the Decades auction, will make a tremendous difference in their lives and help us continue our mission of providing a supportive environment where every student can thrive."

The Hillcrest Foundation’s continued commitment to the students of Dallas Academy is a testament to their dedication to enhancing education and empowering young minds. This grant, coupled with the success of the auction, will provide an essential resource, allowing students the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of school life and ensure that transportation barriers no longer hinder their growth and development.

“We are sincerely grateful to The Hillcrest Foundation for supporting our school and our mission," Ms. Murski continued. "This partnership, along with the generous contributions from our DA Through the Decades auction, will make a lasting impact, and we look forward to the many ways in which this new van will help our students and their families.”

For more information about Dallas Academy and how it supports students with learning differences, please visit www.dallas-academy.com

About Dallas Academy

Dallas Academy is a private school dedicated to serving students with learning differences. Dallas Academy offers a structured, multisensory program for students with diagnosed learning differences which may include impairments in reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), and math (dyscalculia), ADD/ADHD, ASD (level 1), and memory and processing disorders. Our school meets students' special needs through a skilled faculty, a specialized academic program, small classes, individualized attention, accountability, and a wide range of creative, athletic, and social activities that draw our students in, keep them engaged, and enhance their learning.

We are so grateful to be one of more than 50 nonprofits selected to receive a grant from The Dallas Foundation in their most recent grant cycle! This generous support will directly benefit learning support for students with complex learning differences. We are deeply grateful for The Dallas Foundation’s partnership, which not only provides vital financial resources but also inspires meaningful transformation in our community.

A key focus of our work with students who have learning differences is the Orton-Gillingham program, housed at the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). This multisensory approach to reading instruction blends visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles with phonetics, ensuring that each student can learn in the way that works best for them. By incorporating the effective methodology of Reciprocal Teaching, which encourages both teachers and students to take turns in the role of teacher, we foster a collaborative learning environment. Through summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting, students gain a deeper understanding of the material while building essential literacy skills.

With the generous support from The Dallas Foundation, we will be able to train and certify a group of elementary teachers in this time-intensive Orton-Gillingham program. This investment will expand our ability to offer specialized learning support to even more students, helping them reach their full potential.

 We are deeply appreciative of The Dallas Foundation’s commitment to our mission, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that this partnership will bring.

Quinn, a senior at Dallas Academy, is making waves in the local art community after being selected to design the poster for the East Dallas Art District’s upcoming Art Walk on November 9. Despite her young age, Quinn is already gaining recognition as a talented painter blending vibrant colors and expressive forms in her work.

Quinn’s artistic roots run deep, with both of her parents being accomplished photographers. Her father, the late David Leeson, was a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and her mother, a freelance photographer, continues to inspire Quinn with her creative work, making art a central part of their family’s life.

Recently, professional graphic designer Logan Broussard visited Quinn's home studio and was so impressed by her work that he asked her to create the cover poster for the East Dallas Art District’s Art Walk. "This has all been an incredible experience," Quinn shared. "Through my work on creating the poster, I was able to communicate and get to know Logan Broussard. It’s been a great opportunity to learn and grow."

For the Art Walk poster, Quinn wanted to capture the vibrant energy of East Dallas—a dynamic community known for its rich artistic culture. Her design will serve as the face of the event, which is expected to attract art lovers and visitors from across the region.

Looking ahead, Quinn hopes to study art therapy, with a particular focus on addiction recovery. With her unique vision, artistic drive, and passion for learning, Quinn is undoubtedly a rising star, and the Art Walk poster is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and meaningful artistic journey ahead.

Dallas Academy School, nestled in the heart of White Rock Lake, will soon have a new addition to campus. Life-long friends of Head of School, Elizabeth Murski from the Jesuit and Ursuline Class of 1983 have gifted $250,000 towards the creation of a new sensory playground at Dallas Academy in East Dallas. The playground will feature a shade structure, new ground covering, and all new playground equipment, including a special sensory wall for students to enjoy. 

"We are thrilled about the new state-of the art playground and looking forward to having a new fun area where our students can run around and play,” said Elizabeth Murski. "Thanks to the fundraising efforts by high school friends, our students will soon have a safe, shaded and engaging outdoor space to explore.”  

In addition to the playground upgrades, Dallas Academy will be hosting a naming contest for students and staff to participate in. The winning name will be proudly displayed at the entrance of the playground for all to see. 

Construction on the playground is expected to begin during the summer months and is planned to be completed in time for the fall school year. The new sensory playground will provide a valuable resource for students to engage in active play and sensory exploration. 

Founded in 1965, Dallas Academy is the oldest school in Texas to work exclusively with students with learning differences and offers a structured, multisensory program for students to achieve success both in and out of the classroom. Every student on campus is known by all teachers, making it easy for students to be encouraged, praised, and guided toward achieving their goals. 

For more information on the new sensory playground at Dallas Academy, please contact Lisa Loera, Director of Community Relations. 

We are thrilled to announce that Dallas Academy Senior, Daniel Pinkston-Hayes has been accepted into the prestigious World Scholars Program at Delaware University. With his diverse background and exceptional academic achievements, Daniel is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage. In his application, Daniel expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he's had, particularly through his dual enrollment course in Communications at Dallas Academy. “Thanks to my dual enrollment course in Communications provided by Dallas Academy, I have a better understanding of the concepts of intercultural communication and the importance of being understood.  This will help me further the experience that the University of Delaware has provided me while studying abroad.”

Daniel's unique upbringing, undoubtedly contributed to his selection for the program. He reflected on this, saying, “I believe that I was chosen for the World Scholar Program at Delaware because I have lived in so many countries, growing up throughout the Middle East and Southeast Asia, 11 countries and counting.”  Delaware University recognizes Daniel's core values as a global citizen and appreciates the unique perspective he brings to the program. In his own words, “I appreciate Delaware for the amazing opportunity that they have given me and as a world citizen, I feel noticed because they see my core values as a part of the emerging world community.” 

We congratulate Daniel on this incredible achievement and look forward to seeing his continued success as he considers the opportunity to take on this new academic journey. His dedication to learning, cultural understanding, and global citizenship exemplify the values of the World Scholars Program and we are so proud of him.