– The Museum School of East Dallas, a tuition-free public charter school serving students in kindergarten through 8th grade, is accepting applications for its inaugural school year, which begins August 11. Located at 11110 Garland Road in East Dallas, the school is the first and only National Association of Museum School models in Texas, providing immersive, integrated learning opportunities for students in the 75228 ZIP code.
Designed in partnership with the surrounding community, the public charter school received approval from the Texas State Board of Education and will open its doors to students in Fall 2026, beginning with kindergarten through 5th grade. Each year, additional grade levels will be added to grow into a preK-8th grade school. Leasing a building from the Gospel Light Eritrean Baptist Church when it is not in use allows both communities to serve East Dallas without overlap.
Created with the goal of igniting joy for learning in all students through an extended day museum school approach, The Museum School of East Dallas (TMS) aims to prepare students for high school and beyond with hands-on, minds-on immersive learning and flexibility for families. Students can stay until 5 p.m. without the additional worry of costly after-school care with TMS extended day offerings that reflect student and parent survey responses. A range of extracurricular activities allow students to explore their interests and discover their talents.
What is a Museum School?
Students learn best through exploration, reflection and real-world connection. The museum school model brings learning to life through immersive, integrated learning expeditions within the community, treating the world as a classroom and learning as an active, hands-on experience. Much like project-based learning, TMS students engage with real places and real people in the community, connecting purpose and academic content to the world around them in meaningful ways. Instead of relying on textbooks, museum school students also learn through documented reflection and quarterly, high-quality professional student work exhibitions celebrated with community partners.
During the first week of school, TMS students will engage in outdoor learning opportunities at the Dallas Arboretum. A range of experiential learning opportunities is baked into the curriculum, from learning expeditions and service projects to outdoor education and project-based learning with community partners like the Arboretum, Dallas Children’s Theater, the Perot Museum, Owenwood Farm, and more. These experiences help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them.
“For too long, families have been expected to fit into schools that were designed without them. The Museum School of East Dallas flips that model. We spent two years listening to families, educators and community members before designing a school that reflects what they told us they wanted for their children,” said Loren Colman, TMS superintendent. “As the first official co-designed school in Texas and the first museum school in the state, we’re proving that when communities help shape schools, children thrive. We hope this is just the beginning, not only for East Dallas, but for a future where families have a greater voice in shaping public education.”
TMS is making real-world learning come to life for students in Far East Dallas with its diverse by design model, beginning with an introductory summer camp July 20 through August 7. Families are invited to get a taste of the immersive learning approach and get to know future classmates before school starts. A ribbon cutting event will take place August 8 and classes begin August 11.
TMS is now accepting applications for students in kindergarten through 5th grade for the upcoming school year. Learn more and submit the simple application online at https://www.tmseastdallas.org/.
About The Museum School of East Dallas
A free-tuition public charter school approved by the Texas State Board of Education, The Museum School of East Dallas is redefining education through exciting, immersive experiences supported by community partnerships that promote exploration and discovery, provide opportunities for reflection and lead to curated end-of-unit exhibitions. The first and only National Association of Museum School models in Texas, we are igniting joy for learning in all K-8th grade students and creating opportunities to realize their potential and thrive in high school and beyond. Learn more at https://www.tmseastdallas.org/.
