More details are emerging about Northway Christian Church‘s plan to close its decades-old Day School and start hosting The Compass School of Texas in 2027.
Northway Christian board chair Paul Schmidt said in a letter that the Day School, which has been in operation since 1960 and serves children from 6 months to 5 years old, will close in May 2027. The Compass School plans to begin the 2027 school year on Northway’s campus at 7202 W. Northwest Highway, next to Boone Elementary.
After residents became aware of the plan, some neighbors were quick to express concern about possible traffic issues due to Northway’s proximity to Boone Elementary.
Since the letter was shared, more details have emerged about the proposal.
Dallas Planning Commissioner Larry Hall said the church filed an application for a special use permit to allow “private operation of an elementary school at Northway Christian Church.”
Hall said he toured the site with Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis, who represents the area, and that “the church seems to have ample internal space for the classrooms proposed. However, Texas law will require the church to build a storm shelter to accommodate the planned enrollment.”
Here’s a breakdown of what Northway, the Compass School of Texas, and Highland Park ISD have said about the project and, in the case of HPISD, what it hopes the permit will include.
What the Compass School of Texas Has Said
Compass Head of School Shelly Sender said the co-educational private school, which currently serves Pre-K through fourth-grade students but hopes to expand up to eighth grade, is in negotiations to use the church’s space.
“At Compass, we deeply value community partnerships, seeking mutually beneficial relationships with neighbors, families, businesses, and non-profits. When Northway reached out to us, we were thrilled. Our core values are Community, Family, Leadership, Purpose, and Resilience. Northway’s mission aligns with these,” Sender wrote. “For over a hundred years, they have shown exemplary commitment to the betterment of the community and their families with their outreach, service work, and citizenship. Compass will continue that legacy. This partnership is a wonderful step toward better meeting the needs of our school and our mission.”
Sender said Compass plans to move to the church from its current campus at 5414 W. Northwest Highway in the fall of 2027.
“The location includes more classrooms and dedicated administrative offices in addition to ample outdoor space, while we build on our current campus. We look forward to building a positive relationship with Northway and the beautiful surrounding neighborhood,” she added.
What Highland Park ISD Has Said
Highland Park ISD, in a letter to parents, said the district has requested that any specific use permit include safeguards to manage traffic and reduce pedestrian risk around Boone Elementary.
That request includes staggering arrival and dismissal times by at least 30 minutes from Boone’s schedule and capping enrollment at 350 students for any school operating at the Northway site.
HPISD also called for an additional traffic study to be conducted before any public hearing on the case, and asked that the study be conducted during regular school days, including during arrival and dismissal periods.
“Please know that HPISD remains engaged and will continue to advocate for measures that prioritize student safety throughout this process,” the district’s letter concluded.
What Northway Christian Church Has Said
Schmidt said in his initial letter that hosting The Compass School of Texas “will expand mission reach and provide sustainable revenue” for Northway, while supporting Compass’ “growth as a Pre-K-through 8th-grade school that preserves the community’s warmth and connection to nature.”
He also noted that Northway has been under increased financial strain over the last three years.
“For Day School families, we recognize this will feel sudden,” Schmidt continued in the letter. “We are committed to working with the school’s staff members over the coming months to support them through the transition.”
What Comes Next?
Dallas’ Planning and Zoning Commission will hear the case and make a recommendation to the City Council. No date is set for the case to be heard by the commission, but both the commission and city council could require changes, including to the terms of the special use permit.
Author
