Denison Independent School District (Denison ISD, DISD) is a public school district based in Denison, Texas, United States. Covering 97 square miles, the district is located in northeastern Grayson County and serves the majority of the City of Denison along with a portion neighboring Sherman.

As of 2026, Denison ISD operates ten campuses, including one high school, two middle schools, five primary schools, one alternative high school, and a District Alternative Education Program (DAEP). The district most recently received a C rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

History

Denison ISD's roots date back to the 1800s.

In 1954, a new Denison High School campus was opened. The former high school facility became Denison Junior High School, eventually renamed to McDaniel Junior High School.

Hughes Junior High School opened in 1964. The district operated two junior high schools for some time. However, by 1984, Hughes became a middle school with grades 6-7 and McDaniel served grade 8.

In 1986, the district consolidated its middle schools. The 1913 building permanently closed and Hughes was renamed to B. McDaniel Middle School, serving grades 6-8.

In 2000, Terrell Elementary moved to a new building across the street from the previous school. The former school was demolished, with the land serving as a second playground for the new school.

After a school bond was passed in 2011, Denison ISD began consolidating its smaller elementary schools. Mayes Elementary was expanded, taking in all Layne Elementary students in 2013, as the latter campus permanently closed. Layne Elementary was eventually demolished and its land sold off.

A new Denison High School campus was opened in 2014, and its former 1954 facility became Henry Scott Middle School with grades 7-8. B. McDaniel became an intermediate campus, serving grades 5-6. With 5th grade removed from the elementary schools, Golden Rule Elementary was closed and demolished. Only the gymnasium was spared, and DISD eventually gave this land to the Denison Boys and Girls Club.

Another bond was passed in November 2019 to expand capacities at Mayes and Hyde Park elementaries. In May 2023, another school bond was passed. The result was expansions at Terrell, Lamar, and Houston elementaries and the construction of a new B. McDaniel Intermediate campus.

After the elementary expansions were completed in 2025, all district head start and Pre-K programs were moved to the newly renamed Houston Early Childhood School.

B. McDaniel Intermediate opened its new campus in 2026. The former B. McDaniel facility was renamed the Denison Education Support Center (DESC), consolidated all district administration and support services into one building. The DAEP program moved from Pathways High School to a wing at the DESC in time for the start of the 2026 school year.

In January 2027, Pathways High School will relocate to the former Denison ISD Administration Building and be renamed to the Peabody Academy. The Peabody campus will house students for the first time since 1979.

Academic achievement Historical district TEA accountability ratings

2026: C - 78 2025: C - 78 2024: B - 81 2023: C - 78 2022: C - 79 2021: No rating given due to COVID-19 2020: No rating given due to COVID-19 2019: B - 86 2018: B - 82 2017: Met Standard 2016: Met Standard 2015: Met Standard 2014: Met Standard 2013: Met Standard 2012: No rating given due to change in ratings system 2011: Academically Acceptable 2010: Recognized 2009: Academically Acceptable 2008: Academically Acceptable 2007: Academically Acceptable 2006: Academically Acceptable 2005: Academically Acceptable 2004: Academically Acceptable

Schools +Secondary schools Name Grades Established Additional information Denison High School 9-12 1913 Relocated 1950s, 2014 Henry Scott Middle School 7-8 2014 Opened 2014 B. McDaniel Intermediate School 5-6 1964 Grades 5-6 2014–present, 7-9 (??-1981), 6-7 (1981-1986), 6-8 (1986-2014); Formerly Hughes Junior High (1964-??), B. McDaniel Middle School (??-2014)

+Primary schools Name Grades Established Additional information Hyde Park Elementary School K-4 1891 Lamar Elementary School K-4 1890 Campuses opened in 1890, 1910, and 1948. Mayes Elementary School K-4 1968 Terrell Elementary School K-4 1969 Opened at former Terrell High School campus as integrated 6-8 middle school; converted to elementary school for 1979 school year; new campus opened in 1999 Sam Houston Early Childhood School PK 1886 Campuses opened in 1886 and 1938. Transitioned from elementary to Pre-K campus in 2025. +Alternative schools Name Grades Established Additional information Denison Education Support Center 9-12 2026 DAEP program housed in former McDaniel Intermediate campus Pathways High School 9-12 1997 District credit recovery program; will transition to Peabody Academy in January 2027

School name Year founded Year closed Additional informationAnderson School18861939Burleson School1888Central Ward Elementary School19171979Dalton School1965Golden Rule Elementary School20152014Langston School18741965First Black school in DenisonLayne Elementary School18792012McDaniel Junior High SchoolGrades 7-9 ??-1981, Grades 8-9 1981-??; Opened as Denison Junior High School at 1913 school buildingOak Grove SchoolPeabody School1979Current DISD Administration Building; will reopen as Peabody High School in 2026Raynal School18911979Reasor SchoolStevens School18901927Terrell High School19271968Black-only high schoolWalton School1960sWashington School18731913First free public school in TexasWims School19631979

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