North Dallas High School: Historic Urban Bulldog Campus

North Dallas High School (NDHS) is a historic public high school serving grades 9–12 in the Oak Lawn and Uptown area of Dallas, Texas, as part of the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). The campus combines a comprehensive neighborhood high‑school program with a collegiate academy and P‑TECH pathways that help students earn college credit and industry experience while still in high school.​

Key facts and contact information

North Dallas High School has educated generations of Dallas students since the early 1920s and remains a central hub for families in the city’s inner‑north neighborhoods. Its Bulldog mascot, orange‑and‑white colors and nearly century‑old building give the school a strong identity rooted in tradition and community pride.​

  • School name: North Dallas High School (NDHS).​
  • Address: 3120 N. Haskell Ave., Dallas, TX 75204, United States.​
  • Phone / Fax: Main office (972) 925‑1500; Fax (972) 925‑1501.​
  • District: Dallas Independent School District (DISD).​
  • Grades: 9–12, co‑educational public high school.​
  • Founded: 1922, one of Dallas’s oldest continuously operating high schools.​
  • Mascot and colors: Bulldog; orange and white.​
  • Building hours: Doors open at 8:30 a.m.; classes begin at 9:10 a.m.​
  • Current leadership: Principal Gerardo Hernandez; Collegiate Academy/P‑TECH administrator Dr. Tamika Stevenson.​

Historic campus and community

Opened in 1922, North Dallas High School was built for what was then the northern edge of the city and is now recognized as a City of Dallas historic landmark for its classic 1920s architecture and civic importance. Over the years, renovations have modernized classrooms, science labs, technology and athletic facilities while preserving key features like the main façade and auditorium, giving students a mix of historic character and contemporary learning spaces.​

The school’s location at 3120 N. Haskell Avenue places it just northeast of downtown Dallas, serving students from Oak Lawn, Uptown, Old East Dallas and nearby inner‑city neighborhoods. NDHS leverages its central setting by partnering with community organizations, businesses and higher‑education institutions for mentoring, service‑learning, dual‑credit classes and career‑readiness experiences.​

Academics, collegiate academy and P‑TECH

North Dallas High School offers the full Texas high‑school curriculum in English, mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, fine arts and career/technical education, with honors and Advanced Placement (AP) options available in core subjects. The school follows an A/B block schedule Monday through Thursday, where students attend four extended classes each day, and a Friday “C‑day” when all eight classes meet, balancing deeper instruction with consistent weekly contact in every course.​

The campus is also home to the North Dallas Collegiate Academy and P‑TECH programs, which allow students to earn up to 60 hours of tuition‑free college credit or an associate degree while completing their high‑school diploma. Through partnerships coordinated by Dr. Tamika Stevenson and the P‑TECH team, students take dual‑credit courses, participate in work‑based learning and connect with industry mentors—an especially powerful opportunity for first‑generation college students.​

Enrollment, demographics and performance

District and state data show that North Dallas High School serves roughly 1,150–1,200 students across grades 9–12. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and African American, with around 70% Hispanic, about 24–25% African American, a small White population and a few percent listed as “other,” reflecting the diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods.​

Around 88% of students are classified as economically disadvantaged and nearly half are identified as emergent bilingual (English learners), which makes bilingual, ESL and targeted support central to the school’s mission. Recent accountability profiles show an overall performance rating in the high‑70s to around 80, with relative strength in student progress and continuous work on raising proficiency in reading, math and college‑readiness indicators. About three‑quarters of students meet or exceed expectations across state tests, with stronger results in science and social studies, while graduation rates in the upper‑70% range are improving as ninth‑grade “on track” supports grow.​

Staff, supports and school culture

North Dallas High School employs more than 80 classroom teachers plus counselors, instructional coaches and support staff, giving an average teaching experience of around 7–8 years and roughly 5–6 years at NDHS. This mix of veteran and newer educators supports a culture that balances high expectations with strong relationships, backed by academic counseling, college and career advising, bilingual services, special education and interventions for at‑risk students.​

Students describe the campus climate as welcoming and community‑oriented, with teachers who make themselves available for tutoring and guidance, especially in core academic and dual‑credit courses. Families and alumni often highlight the school’s historic identity, visible upgrades to athletic and outdoor spaces, and the growing collegiate academy as key sources of pride in the Bulldog community.​

Athletics, arts and student activities

The Bulldogs compete in a wide range of University Interscholastic League (UIL) sports, including football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, track and field and more, giving students multiple ways to represent their school and build school spirit. Fine‑arts programs in band, choir, theater and visual arts provide creative outlets and have earned district‑level recognition and school‑board commendations for outstanding performances and student work.​

Beyond sports and arts, NDHS offers JROTC, National Honor Society, student council, cultural and service clubs, and academic teams that compete in UIL academics and other contests. Together, these programs help students develop leadership, teamwork and community engagement, rounding out the academic focus of North Dallas High School and reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of central Dallas public education.

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