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The Hockaday School

United States, Dallas

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $34,466 - 40,894
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1133
Type Girls School, Girls School (boarding)
Opened 1913
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Spanish, French, Latin
Typical class size 16
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

The Hockaday School is an independent, college-preparatory day school for girls in Dallas, Texas. Its campus spans 88 acres and features a modern, light-filled blend of brick, limestone, and glass buildings, including the Ashley H. Priddy Lower School, the Liza Lee Academic Research Center, the Margaret Doggett Crow Science Building, and the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Center for the Arts. The Upper School delivers AP and Honors coursework within a college-model framework, alongside interdisciplinary and junior/senior semester courses. The school does not rank students and uses an unweighted four-point GPA, with options such as directed independent study and internship-like programs, including Marine Biology Laboratory, Swiss Semester, SEGL, and One Schoolhouse courses. Distinctive programs emphasize the Institute for Social Impact, global awareness through Model UN and debate, and wide-ranging performance, visual arts, and STEM offerings. Enrollment across divisions totals about 1,133 students for 2026–27. Future-ready globally minded.

11600 Welch Road, Dallas, TX 75229

The Essentials

The Hockaday School has 1,133 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
The Hockaday School is located at 11600 Welch Road, Dallas, TX 75229.

Stages
PK–12 (Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade).

Type
Independent college-preparatory day school for girls.

Additional learning support
The Dr. William B. Dean Academic Learning Support Program provides PK–12 learning support. Accommodations for documented learning differences are offered, along with services such as Academic Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy; support is provided across Lower, Middle, and Upper School.

School day structure
Lower School and Middle School start at 8:00 a.m.; Upper School starts at 9:00 a.m. The academic day ends at 4:00 p.m. for Upper School; Lower School release times vary by grade (roughly 2:45–4:00 p.m.). Daisy Afternoons after-school program runs until 6:00 p.m.

Bus service
Transportation to and from Hockaday is provided via bus.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a day school.

Uniform Requirement
The school uses a formal uniform program. The dress uniform includes a blazer, an oxford shirt, a plaid skirt, and regulation shoes; PE days require a Hockaday PE shirt with athletic shorts. The Uniform provider is transitioning to Risse Brothers as the official uniform supplier.

Food Options
The dining service provides hot entrees and soups daily and a wide variety of cold options such as salads and sandwiches.

Governance and Ownership
The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school. It is a member of professional associations including the National Association of Independent Schools, the International Coalition of Girls' Schools, One Schoolhouse, and the College Board.
Fees

Annual tuition at The Hockaday School ranges from USD 34,466 to USD 40,894 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- PK–Kindergarten (PK–K): USD 50 application fee.
- Grades 1–4: USD 50 application fee.
- Grades 5–11: USD 125 application fee.
- Application fee waivers are available for qualifying families.

Annual tuition (2026–2027)

- Lower School (PK – Grade 4): USD 34,466 per year.
- Middle and Upper School (Grades 5 – Form IV): USD 40,894 per year.

Per-term / installment breakdown (based on published payment plans)

- Option #1 — Single payment: Full annual tuition and fees paid in full on June 1, 2027.
- Lower School: USD 34,466 due June 1, 2027.
- Middle/Upper School: USD 40,894 due June 1, 2027.

- Option #2 — Two installments (60% / 40%):
- Lower School: 60% = USD 20,679.60 due June 1, 2027; 40% = USD 13,786.40 due December 1, 2027.
- Middle/Upper School: 60% = USD 24,536.40 due June 1, 2027; 40% = USD 16,357.60 due December 1, 2027.

- Option #3 — Ten monthly installments (June 20, 2027 – April 20, 2028, excluding December):
- Lower School: 10 monthly payments of USD 3,446.60 (June–April, excluding December). Tuition refund insurance and finance fees are due with the June payment where applicable.
- Middle/Upper School: 10 monthly payments of USD 4,089.40 (June–April, excluding December). Tuition refund insurance and finance fees are due with the June payment where applicable.

Payment schedule and payment terms

- Payment deadlines and installment timing follow the payment option selected; the full-balance deadline under the enrollment contract is June 1, 2027. Automatic payments are set up through the school's FACTS billing account. Late payments are subject to a USD 100 per-occurrence late payment penalty.
- Non-financial-aid families choosing Option #2 are charged a non-refundable finance fee of USD 350 (due with the June payment). Non-financial-aid families choosing Option #3 are charged a non-refundable finance fee of USD 750 (due with the June payment). Families on Option #3 are required to purchase tuition refund insurance; families on Options #1 or #2 may elect tuition refund insurance for an additional fee. The tuition refund insurance premium is 0.65% of total tuition and fees.

Deposit, matriculation and special one-time charges

- Enrollment deposit: Non-refundable deposit of USD 2,000, applicable to tuition and fees.
- New-student matriculation fee: One-time USD 1,000 charged upon enrollment.
- Laptop (Grades 5–8): Required laptop bundle for students in Grades 5–8 (billed for all Grade 5 students and all new students entering Grades 5–8): USD 2,000 (computer, software, warranty, loaner access, and service). This laptop charge is billed at the school's June billing date for the year.

What is included and not included in tuition

- Included in tuition: academic, publication, and grade-level activity and trip fees; Individual Student Accident Insurance; supplies for Lower and Middle School (except calculators).
- Not included in tuition: uniforms, books, optional activities, and individual or incidental needs.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. The Hockaday School is an independent day school (no boarding program).

Other fees and penalties

- Late payment penalty: USD 100 per occurrence.
- Finance charges for multi-installment plans: USD 350 (two-installment electors, non-financial-aid families) or USD 750 (ten-month plan electors, non-financial-aid families). These finance fees are non-refundable and due with the school's June payment for the year.
- Tuition refund insurance: The cost is calculated at 0.65% of the total tuition and fees; the Tuition Refund Plan provides coverage for specified medical withdrawals, non-medical withdrawals, and dismissal according to the plan terms and claim procedures. Premium and coverage terms are administered through the school's designated Tuition Refund Plan provider.

Refund information

- The enrollment deposit is non-refundable. Finance charges for payment plans are non-refundable. The school's enrollment contract makes the family's tuition obligation for the full school year absolute and unconditional as of the contract date (see enrollment agreement and Truth-in-Lending disclosures for contractual refund and release provisions). Tuition refund insurance is available to provide partial protection against the family's tuition obligation in covered withdrawal or dismissal circumstances; the plan pays benefits to the school according to its terms and claim procedures.

Fee payment options and accepted channels

- Billing and payment processing: Tuition and incidental billing are managed through the FACTS tuition management system; families must set up a FACTS account for automatic payment plans and incidental billing. FACTS supports bank (ACH) draft and credit/debit card payments (card payments may carry convenience/processing fees set by FACTS). Specific payment method availability and any convenience fees are managed through FACTS and the school's FACTS enrollment settings.

Notes on incidental and optional charges

- Optional activities, after-school programs, specialty classes, testing/assessment registration fees (e.g., required admission testing for applicants), and uniform purchases are billed separately or paid directly by families as applicable. Laptop replacement outside the school-provided bundle, personal supplies such as calculators (where not included), and certain off-campus program costs are additional to published tuition.
Academics

The Hockaday School teaches Advanced Placement (AP).

Curriculum
The Hockaday School offers an Upper School curriculum built on Academic Rigor with Enriched and Honors courses. Graduation requires four full‑credit courses each year across English, Math, Science, World Languages, History, and Fine Arts. Integrated Math spirals Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II over three years, with added study in statistics, logical reasoning, and discrete mathematics. Interdisciplinary Courses blend content from multiple disciplines to foster curiosity and problem solving, and Semester Courses in junior and senior years provide deeper study within a college‑model framework. The school does not rank students and GPA is unweighted on a four‑point scale, with Honors and AP courses available; additional education options include directed independent study, Marine Biology Laboratory, Swiss Semester, SEGL, and One Schoolhouse courses. Enrollment for 2026–27: Upper School 505, Middle School 336, Lower School 292 (Total 1,133); Students of Color 54%; Students Receiving Financial Aid 12%.

Exam Results
National Merit Semifinalists: 19 students in 2025; 28 students named National Merit Semifinalists in a later year. 19 National Merit Commended Scholars (Class of 2027) in 2026.

Higher Education Progression
100% of Hockaday graduates enroll in post‑secondary institutions. College matriculation (2024–2026) lists graduates attending a wide range of universities including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Duke, Brown, Stanford, Rice, and the University of Texas at Austin, among others.

Gifted and Talented
Honors and Enriched coursework with Advanced Placement opportunities; 97% of AP exams scored 3–5 (Class of 2026). Honors and AP courses are not weighted in GPA. Additional opportunities include directed independent study, Marine Biology Laboratory, Swiss Semester, SEGL, One Schoolhouse courses, and Social Impact courses connected to the Institute for Social Impact.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Hockaday School is committed to an extraordinary student experience that is empowering, joyful, and nurtures the well-being and success of every student inside and outside the classroom. Counselors interact with students regularly through a range of activities, including class presentations, optional workshops, advising, and individual guidance, to support social and emotional development. The Learning Support Program and the Learning Support team collaborate with administrators, faculty, parents, and staff to support holistic well-being and learning for every student. The program emphasizes self-advocacy, differentiated instruction, and parental support as core goals of the student experience. Faculty and administrators rely on counselor expertise in social and emotional developmental factors that influence learning and school life, reinforcing a caring and inclusive community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Dr. William B. Dean Academic Learning Support Program helps all Hockaday students reach their maximum potential. Any student may receive assistance from Learning Support, regardless of whether she has a diagnosed learning difference. The program's goals are to empower students in self-advocacy, to assist teachers in differentiating instruction, and to support parents in their daughter's educational journey. The Learning Support team works across all three divisions and collaborates with school counselors, the Health Center, and College Counseling to provide services for effective learning. When a diagnosed learning difference is identified, accommodations are provided based on the recommendations in the neuropsychological assessment, and an Educational Accommodation Plan is created to document the ongoing support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
All non-native English speakers are required to submit TOEFL test results to complete their application to The Hockaday School. World languages offered include French and Spanish, introduced at the Pre-kindergarten level and continued through second grade; in third grade, students choose between Spanish or French, and Latin begins in seventh grade. The World Language Onboarding Program is a two-week introductory program to the languages offered at Hockaday as well as language preparation techniques.

Mental Wellbeing
At Hockaday, the safety and well-being of every student is at the heart of all that we do. Counselors interact with students regularly to support mental health, emotional development, and personal growth. The Learning Support team collaborates with administrators, counselors, the Health Center, and College Counseling to address students' learning and well-being needs. The school uses a holistic approach to mental well-being, combining counseling, health resources, and academic planning to support resilience and coping skills. This integrated framework aims to create a caring, supportive community where students can thrive emotionally as well as academically.
Parent Experience

History
Ten students enrolled in the school in 1913 on Hockaday's first campus, located in a house on North Haskell Avenue in Dallas. In the next years, Hockaday grew, adding a Lower School and building a reputation for high academic standards. In 1919, Miss Hockaday moved the school to its second campus at Greenville Avenue, with eight acres; the new campus opened to about 150 students. After Miss Hockaday's death in 1956, J. Erik Jonsson helped spearhead a campaign for a new campus, and Karl Hoblitzelle donated 100 acres in North Dallas, which became the site of Hockaday's third and present-day campus on Welch Road in 1961. The Dallas Times Herald described the Welch Road campus as “eye-catching … the most unusual, the most attractive, the most advanced learning facility in Dallas.” The Four Cornerstones—Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics—remain the foundation of the School, and the campus has grown to accommodate more than 1,000 students, with additions from the Hockaday Tomorrow capital campaign including an Academic Research Center, a new Lower School Addition, and a Wellness Center.

Community
Hockaday provides an inclusive and welcoming community that remains with students and families for life, fostering support and friendship within the student body, faculty and staff, families, and alumnae. The Hockaday Parents' Association engages all parents to support the faculty, staff, and students, and volunteers contribute to the school's mission. Throughout the year, events such as the Color Run and Spirit Nights strengthen community, and the HPA Benefit and grade-level activities create bonds among families. The HPA also hosts the Hockaday Parent Education Series, which features speakers on topics to help families navigate the school community and the wider world. Volunteer opportunities include Class Representatives, Cultural Connections Committee, Uniform Resale, Bookstore, Benefit and Auction, and Athletics Concessions Stand. Founders' traditions and ongoing programs—such as Founders Day Awards and other senior/multi-grade gatherings—celebrate the school's long-standing customs.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Hockaday Parents' Association (HPA) works to support the faculty, staff, and students and coordinates a range of volunteer efforts and events, including the annual Hockaday Benefit to support the Ela Hockaday Fund for Faculty Excellence, Uniform Resale, Bookstore, and various volunteer roles such as raffle sales and event setup. The HPA also hosts the Hockaday Parent Education Series for parents and families.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Hockaday's 88-acre Dallas campus features brick, cream-colored limestone, and glass buildings that are infused with natural light and overlook trees, lawns, and courtyards. Ashley H. Priddy Lower School, the Liza Lee Academic Research Center, and the Margaret Doggett Crow Science Building anchor the academic spaces. The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Center for the Arts houses performance spaces, including the Ed Long Stage (650 seats) and the Lacerte Family Black Box Theater (3,100 square feet). Four outdoor classrooms, a Field Research Station with a beehive, and Outdoor Classrooms support hands-on learning, while a 1.5-mile cross-country path circumnavigates the campus. The libraries hold more than 64,000 holdings and provide gathering spaces that enhance study and collaboration.

Sports Facilities
Athletics facilities include a competition gymnasium and a Lower School gymnasium, an eight-lane state-of-the-art track, multiple turf fields, practice fields, and a softball diamond that circumnavigates the campus. Middle and Upper School students use the Wellness Center for additional workouts and strength training. Hockaday competes in the Southwest Preparatory Conference in basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball, with crew and fencing also offered. The competition softball field features pitching pens, batting cages, a covered bleacher area, and a press box.

Academic Facilities
Academic spaces include the Ashley H. Priddy Lower School with well-equipped classrooms and gathering spaces. The Liza Lee Academic Research Center contains divisional libraries, archives, audiovisual production rooms, the school bookstore, and student publication offices. The Margaret Doggett Crow Science Building invites exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The IDEA Lab provides a flexible space that can morph to students' needs with movable dividers. The libraries hold more than 64,000 holdings, and the Lower School Garden offers hands-on language and science learning. Four outdoor classrooms and a Field Research Station with a beehive support campus-wide inquiry and research.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Student life emphasizes community and engagement beyond the classroom, including student socials, dances, spirit rallies, games, tournaments, and fine arts festivals, along with parent events and alumnae gatherings. The Fine Arts spaces enable performances and exhibitions, including the Lacerte Family Black Box Theater (3,100 square feet) and the Ed Long Stage (650 seats). The campus also supports outdoor learning and recreational activities through features like the 1.5-mile cross-country path and athletic facilities that host meets and competitions.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Upper School offers a demanding, college-preparatory curriculum in English, science, mathematics, history, fine arts, and world languages. Students participate in Model UN, debate tournaments (including Harvard events), and MIT math competitions, and pursue biology experiences such as the Small World Initiative. Advisory relationships, daily meetings, and form days provide a home for collaboration and personal growth. Interdisciplinary courses blend content across disciplines to stimulate curiosity and broaden perspectives, with Social Impact designated courses connecting academics to community issues.

Arts & Creative
Fine Arts embraces all creative expression and is hands-on, experience-based, and student-centered. Performing Arts include choir, dance, drama, technical theater, and orchestra, with on-campus and community performances. Visual Arts cover ceramics, film, photography, and studio art, with visiting artists, gallery exhibitions, and AP portfolios. Mass Communications develops journalism and mass media skills through Cornerstones, Fourcast, Vibrato, and related outputs.

Cultural & Language
World Languages are part of the Upper School curriculum with a minimum of two years in the same language through Level III. Clubs focus on arts, diversity, politics, service, social justice, and technology, with Model UN as a regular offering. Upper School fosters discussions on cultural competency and social impact as part of student programming.

Social & Hobbies
The Upper School maintains an active club program that provides leadership opportunities and supports student-initiated activities across arts, diversity, politics, service, social justice, and technology. Dances and mixers bring students together across Hockaday and partner schools, and the Upper School Student Council plans an annual cross-school mixer. Mass Communications outlets offer journalism experiences across divisions, including Cornerstones, Fourcast, and Vibrato.

Community & Service
The Institute for Social Impact anchors Hockaday's community engagement. Social Impact courses are connected to pillars of service learning, community service, community engagement, and social entrepreneurship, aligning academics with community impact and experiential learning.

Leadership & Professional
An active club program provides leadership opportunities and fosters a team approach to learning. The Upper School Student Council plans cross-school mixers and leads campus activities. Participation in Social Impact courses and other student-led projects helps develop professional skills and leadership readiness.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Athletics are an integral part of the Hockaday experience; the Upper School competes in a wide range of sports in the Southwest Preparatory Conference. Athletics and Wellness programs help students develop confidence, self-esteem, sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork. The integrated approach to athletics supports physical and mental well-being as part of the overall student experience.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish and French are taught starting in prekindergarten. In third grade, students choose either Spanish or French to study. Latin is introduced in seventh grade. World languages are a graduation requirement of nine credits (through Level III), with a minimum of two years in the same language.

Immersion Programs
The school has language immersion programs. Immersion experiences occur through international programs and partnerships.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Inquire. The admissions process begins with an inquiry from the family and can be initiated through the online inquiry form. Prospective families submit basic information to start the process. The sequence of Take The Next Step identifies Inquire as the first step in visiting and applying to Hockaday. Step 2: Visit. Step 3: Apply. The school presents Visit as a component of the admissions process, inviting families to attend campus events and arrange visits. The Next Step sequence includes Visit as the second step, guiding families through the on-campus experience. Step 4: Apply Online. The application for the 2027–2028 School Year is now open, and families apply online through the admissions portal. The division options include PK–Kindergarten, Grades 1–4, and Grades 5–11, with an online Apply Online link provided. Step 5: Admissions decisions. Decisions are based on the composite qualifications of the candidate, rather than any single metric. Applicants may be invited to events and required to submit standard documents as part of the review process; international applicants should note TOEFL testing is required for non-native English speakers.

Scholarships
The school provides need-based financial aid, awarding more than $3 million in financial aid each year to about 12% of families. The school strives to meet 100% of demonstrated need. TEFA funds are not accepted at this time.

Waitlist
The school does not carry a waiting list from year to year. If a student goes through the admission process and is placed in the wait pool, she may enter if a spot opens. If she is not admitted and reapplies in a future year, she begins a new admission process. Admission fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
School Events
The school has not added events
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