South Dallas School Holds Key To Success

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The H.S. Thompson Learning Center in the Dallas Independent School District houses about 300 children from the Bonton neighborhood, where the average yearly income in 2008 was $10,000. And, for the third straight year, the school has not only achieved the state's highest academic rating, it has garnered national recognition as well.

But nobody waits in line to sign up for admission. There is no lottery selection for students. In what might be the biggest secret in Dallas, one of the DISD's brightest stars sits in the middle of one of the poorest areas of the city.

"We teach children as if they were our own," said Principal Kamalia Cotton. Elementary students are sent to designated reading, math and science classes. Even the English language learners -- nearly half of the student population -- are high-performing. "Every classroom, I ask every teacher to pretend that those children belong to them."

"What you don't know is this," Cotton continued. "This same school, just five years ago, received the state's lowest academic rating."

Teacher Janet Grimland was around during that low-rating period, as was teacher Rose Polk. Both credit Cotton with the turnaround. "Failure is not an option," said Polk. "No excuses."The students at the H.S. Thompson Learning Center may not get the chance to visit a skating rink, so their gym becomes one. And that skating session also becomes an education lesson – if you fall, pick yourself up and keep trying. It is a valuable life lesson from a high-achieving school that nobody lines up to attend.