The State of Schools in Grayson County: What New Families Need to Know

If you’re one of the many families eyeing a move to Grayson County, you’re not alone. The county’s blend of small-town character and proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has made it one of North Texas’s fastest-growing areas. But before you sign on a new home, there’s one factor that deserves serious homework: the local school district. With more than a dozen independent school districts spread across the county, the landscape can be confusing — and the differences between districts are significant.

A County of Many Districts

Grayson County is home to roughly 15 public school districts serving over 25,000 students. The two largest — Sherman ISD and Denison ISD — anchor the county’s urban core, while smaller districts like Gunter, Van Alstyne, Howe, Whitesboro, Pottsboro, Tom Bean, Tioga, S&S CISD, Bells, Collinsville, and Whitewright serve the surrounding communities. Each district operates independently, sets its own tax rate, and charts its own course on everything from curriculum to construction.

The Southern Boom

The biggest story in Grayson County education right now is growth — and it’s not evenly distributed. Southern districts like Gunter ISD, Van Alstyne ISD, and Howe ISD are squarely in the path of DFW’s northward sprawl. Van Alstyne alone saw building permits triple in 2025, with developments like the 2,200-home Highpoint Village community reshaping the town. Gunter’s once-rural landscape now features custom home communities where properties routinely top $700,000. The planned Dallas North Tollway extension to the Red River is expected to pour even more fuel on the fire.

Sherman ISD is also feeling the pressure. The district has grown by nearly 6% in recent years and outside demographers project enrollment could reach 9,800 students by 2029. Parker Elementary opened in August 2025 inside the Heritage Ranch master-planned community, with a new Pre-K campus set for 2027 and a third elementary school planned on the south side of town.

Meanwhile, northern and more rural districts like Tom Bean, Collinsville, and Whitewright remain comparatively stable, though none are immune to the county’s broader growth trends.

How Do the Districts Stack Up Academically?

The Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings tell a mixed story across the county. Van Alstyne ISD and Bells ISD lead the pack, both earning overall scores of 90 — strong marks by state standards. Howe ISD scored an 84, while Gunter ISD came in at 81. Sherman ISD has been on an improvement trajectory, climbing from a “D” rating in 2024 to a “C” in 2025, a notable turnaround that reflects focused effort from district leadership. Families should research individual campus ratings as well, since performance can vary from school to school even within the same district.

Tax Rates: The Hidden Cost of Your ZIP Code

Property tax rates vary considerably across Grayson County’s school districts, and for new homeowners, the difference can add up to thousands of dollars per year. Gunter ISD carries one of the higher combined rates at roughly $1.44 per $100 of assessed value, while Pottsboro ISD sits near the low end around $1.12. Sherman ISD ($1.42), Denison ISD ($1.27), Howe ISD ($1.27), and Bells ISD ($1.26) fall in between. It’s worth checking current rates through the Grayson County Appraisal District, since these figures shift with bond elections and state funding changes.

Bond Elections and Growing Pains

Growth requires infrastructure, and that means bond elections — a topic that has stirred real debate across the county. In November 2025, Van Alstyne ISD asked voters to approve a $550 million bond package to fund a new elementary school, junior high, and support facilities. Voters said no, with 57% opposing the measure. Tom Bean ISD’s $22 million bond for renovations and new buses also failed, with 60% voting against it. On the other hand, Whitesboro ISD and Tioga ISD successfully passed bonds in May 2024.

These failed bonds highlight a tension familiar to fast-growing communities: the need for new facilities is real, but residents — many of them newcomers who just bought expensive homes — are wary of additional tax burden. For Van Alstyne ISD in particular, the gap between enrollment pressure and available capacity remains an unresolved challenge heading into the 2026-27 school year.

The Teacher Pipeline Problem

Across Texas, the teacher shortage has become a defining crisis. The number of uncertified teachers statewide jumped from about 12,900 in 2019-20 to over 42,000 in 2024-25 — roughly 12% of the workforce. Teacher attrition has climbed from 9% to 12% since the pandemic, and average salaries in Texas still trail the national average. While the state has introduced targeted salary bumps, including an additional $7,000 for rural district teachers, Grayson County districts are competing for talent in a tight market. Smaller districts in particular may struggle to recruit and retain experienced educators.

New Development, New Dynamics

The BNSF Railway’s $500 million logistics center in Gunter, which broke ground in early 2026, is reshaping the economic picture for that corner of the county. The 944-acre facility promises to expand the local tax base and has already established partnerships with Gunter ISD’s education foundation, funding scholarships and teacher grants. But it has also drawn concern from residents about industrial activity near schools. As the facility becomes operational over the next year, its full impact on the community — and the school district — will become clearer.

What New Families Should Know

If you’re moving to Grayson County with school-age children, here are a few things worth knowing. First, your school district is determined by your address, not your city. A home in the Van Alstyne city limits might be zoned to a different district than one a mile away. Second, Texas does allow inter-district transfers, but policies vary — not every district participates in open enrollment, and acceptance isn’t guaranteed. Contact the district office directly before assuming you can transfer. Third, do your due diligence on bond history and upcoming elections; a failed bond today could mean overcrowded classrooms tomorrow. And finally, don’t just look at the district’s overall TEA rating — dig into individual campus scores and talk to local parents to get the real picture.

Grayson County’s school districts are navigating a period of rapid change. For the communities getting it right, the growth represents an opportunity to build something special. For those struggling to keep pace, the next few years will be critical. Either way, the families arriving here deserve to make that decision with clear eyes.