What if a school understood that bright students learn differently? That’s the story of The Winston School in Dallas. It is a private co-educational day school. The Winston School was established in 1975. It was born from a group of parents’ vision. Lester Levy and Jerrold Trim spearheaded this vision. They recognized the need for a school tailored for children. These children needed to learn using non-traditional techniques.
Originally, the idea was to create a two-track system. This was to be at Greenhill School. However, they decided to go in a different direction. This ultimately led to the establishment of The Winston School. The school opened its doors on the Greenhill campus. There were 51 students in grades 1 through 6. J. Wynn Harkless was the first Headmaster.
Tragedy struck early. A fire destroyed the school’s facilities in October 1975. The Winston School had to relocate to temporary offices on the Greenhill campus. Despite this setback, the school persevered. In 1977, Winston earned accreditation. It became a private day school recognized by the Texas Education Agency. The following year, accreditation came from the Independent School Association of the Southwest.
The Winston School relocated to a new facility in North Dallas in the fall of 1978. The student population grew to 135. It included students in 1st through 9th grade. The first 9th grade class graduated in the spring of 1979. These students went on to attend other private and public schools successfully.
The early 1980s brought educational reform in Texas. Parents began to inquire. They wanted a college preparatory high school curriculum. This curriculum needed to address learning disabilities. In the fall of 1983, Winston parents launched a successful capital campaign. It was to open the Winston Upper School.
The Winston School’s success inspired another school. In 1985, The Winston School in San Antonio opened. It patterned its curriculum and teaching methods. It was after the original Dallas campus. The first senior class graduated in May 1986.
The Winston School faced financial challenges in the early 1990s. By 1992, the school eliminated its nearly $1,000,000 debt. This was thanks to the success of Operation Clean Slate. Following this achievement, a capital campaign was launched. It was to remodel existing facilities. A gym and additional classrooms were built. These new facilities opened on October 2, 1996. They added 36,350 square feet of space.
The Winston School continues to evolve. It adapts to meet the needs of its students. The school’s mascot is the Eagle. The school colors are Navy Blue and Dark Red. The Winston School’s motto is “Bright Students who Learn Differently”. As of 2019–2020, enrollment was 144 students. The average class size is 10. The student-to-teacher ratio is 4.9. The Winston School stands as a testament to the power of vision. It highlights the dedication to students. It serves those who learn in unique ways.