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1987
The da Vinci School was founded on June 15, under the corporate name of the Texas Foundation for Educational Advancement Inc. It is incorporated as a non-profit organization and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) corporation. The da Vinci School is governed by a board of directors and is assisted by a board of advisors and a very active parent organization.
The da Vinci School was started by a committee of five families who, like the founding director, believed that young children are eager and capable learners. The initial funding came from a series of yard sales. The first classes began in one leased room of an unused Dallas Independent School District building. By the second year, enrollment had doubled to fill four classrooms.
1988
DISD decided to re-open Kramer Elementary School and The da Vinci School began a search for a new home.
1989
The da Vinci School moved to 5442 La Sierra Drive, a former office building near Presbyterian Hospital.
1992
The first, organized, parent-led fundraising event was held to enable the expansion of the building and the addition of full-time administrative support staff. Before the four new classrooms were even completed, new families had already applied to fill all of the available spaces. Student enrollment has been increasingly in demand since that time.
2010
The da Vinci School moved into its present location. More than five years were devoted to research and construction to create an exceptional learning environment for young children. The building has gold LEED certification from the U. S. Green Building Council. The founders wanted a facility that respects the environment by operating in an ecologically responsible manner, protects students by avoiding possible pollutants in building materials or cleaning products, and models sound construction and operating practices for families and for the community.
When The da Vinci School moved to Midway Road, we were welcomed by a loving neighbor, John Calvin Presbyterian Church (JCPC). Imagine the kind of neighbors you want living next to your children. JCPC was the ideal—quiet but warm, considerate and happy to share all they had. We were severely lacking in parking; they let us use theirs. We needed classrooms for our family education classes; they let us use theirs.
2018
Early in 2018, John Calvin Presbyterian Church announced they would close and the Presbytery would sell their property. John Calvin Presbyterian Church became available for purchase and on March 2, 2018, because of the generosity of our families, past and present, we purchased the property.
Now, together, we begin to explore how the original vision for The da Vinci School can be realized for the next thirty years and for many future generations of great minds in little bodies.