Highlander School

Dear Highlander Family,

I wanted to take a moment to speak to you.

Much has happened since we announced the school’s closure in October. It has been an emotional roller coaster for all of us. While there were many reasons for our decision, it was ultimately God who led me, showed me, and answered my prayers regarding closing our family business of 57 years. And since that decision, God has blessed me with affirmations that I am following His plan. He has also shown me that my parents would agree and support this decision.

Throughout this past year, I have been constantly reminded that all things are in His time, and that He never promises it will be easy. As I began teaching at Highlander School in 1990 and directing the school in 2014, I always wanted to make my parents proud. Highlander School was so much more than just the Carden curriculum. It was my mom’s vision, her standards, her beliefs, and her love for teaching that guided us all those years. There will never be another Highlander School because there will never be another Dr. Betty Woodring.

This school has always been a part of my life and a part of who I am. Not only as a place of work, but also for many family celebrations such as family reunions, birthday parties, Sunday School dinners, and even the place that my daughter’s husband asked her to marry him. There will never be enough words to adequately express my family’s feelings as we close this final chapter. We have relied on God’s guidance from the beginning through good years, bad years, a Covid year, and now through this final year.

As we have now wrapped up the school year, there is still a lot to do before we say goodbye. I know that as I pack up and clean out, there will be lots of reminiscing and emotions. For now, I am getting ready for my new adventure, being a grandmother to twins. My understanding is that it is the best job ever.

Thank you for 57 years of outstanding students, supportive parents, and the very best teachers and staff.

Jill Woodring Reed
Highlander School Principal

Good Morning Highlander!
It’s Graduation Day!

Another successful Carden Cove! What is your favorite Carden Cove memory?

UPDATE:

‼️🎡Carnival will now be on SUNDAY, 11/6, from 2-5pm. 🎡‼️

After speaking with our vendors, we have decided that the field will be too wet tomorrow for some of our best attractions. Luckily, all of our vendors are available in that same timeslot on Sunday.

If you have signed up to volunteer, please be on the lookout for an email from Valerie Herrin.

We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope that everyone is still able to make it!

We invite current and former Highlander families and staff to attend the Highlander Carnival on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2-5 pm. It’s free to enter and enjoy rides, games, food and beverages.

See you there!

Happy Birthday Mr. Woodring!

Highlander saluted you today for all that you did throughout the years. Building furniture, installing sprinkler systems, teaching computer, running sound for programs, and an occasional magic show were just a few of your duties through the years. You were the original carpool worker and carpool caller who made every mom feel like “Miss America”.
Highlander students loved you and your humor.

We miss you!

We invite current and former Highlander families and staff to attend the Highlander Carnival on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2-5 pm. It’s free to enter and enjoy rides, games, food and beverages.

See you there!

To our Highlander School family and community

Today we celebrate our founder, Dr. Betty Woodring. For those of you who did not know her, a quick read to understand why she started Highlander School. She was a phenomenal founder, outstanding educator, and the best mom and grandmother. Without her, there would be no Highlander. We are forever grateful!
On the first page of Rick Warren’s New York Times’ bestselling book entitled, Purpose Driven Life, it says, “What on Earth am I here for?” My mom, Dr. Betty Woodring, had no trouble answering that question. She knew at age 6 that she wanted to be a teacher.
After graduating from North Texas State College with a BS in Education in 1954 and a MA in 1956, Mom began her career in the Dallas Independent School District both as a librarian and math teacher. Over the next 10 years, Mom and Dad moved to Midland and back to Dallas with Mom teaching in both locations.
When I turned 4, mom began to look for a school using the Carden Curriculum. There was not one in Dallas, but there was one in Ft. Worth. However, it was an all-boys school. The only logical conclusion for her was to start a school that would use the Carden Curriculum. In June of 1966, she called Miss Carden in Glen Rock, New Jersey to determine what she needed to do to start such a school.
In the educational facilities of Highlands Christian Church, Highlander School opened on September 7, 1966, with 29
Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten students. In May of 1974, the first 6th grade class, my class, graduated.
In January 1976, the Pre-K and Kindergarteners moved into our current Early Childhood Building, at 9120 Plano Road with the elementary students moving to this location in 1978.
In 1988 Highlander was able to purchase the adjoining acres, now occupying almost 6 acres. In 1990, the gym, stage and 4 adjoining classroom were built. Through the following years, a soccer field/baseball field, sports court, playground equipment, and a tennis court were added to the grounds as well as two more classrooms.
In August of 1990, she drove her life-purpose to a new level by earning a PhD. from North Texas. As she continue to learn, she surrounded herself with dedicated teachers who believed in the Carden Curriculum, loved to teach, and loved students
Numerous letters and notes from parents over the years let her know that she had created a school full of love and learning. Just before graduation one year, she received a note from a sixth grader that said, Dr. Woodring, you believed in me, when I didn’t believe in myself.” Those words affirmed her purpose-driven life to make a permanent difference in the lives of children.
As moms we know how proud we can be of our children but grandmothers just seem to ooze joy for their grandchildren. So you can image the thrill and excitement when her two granddaughters enrolled at Highlander and then in 2006 and 2009 walked across the stage in their own 6th grade graduations.
Mom wanted the best curriculum for her own children. She wanted me to learn to read using the Carden Method, the same method that we use to teach students to read today. But it was her passion, her drive, her love of teaching that allowed her to impact thousands of lives.
Clearly, as the author of the Purpose-Driven Life said on the first page of chapter one, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfilment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.” Dr. Betty Woodring’s singular purpose was to bless one community and to make a difference in the lives of others, and she did.

Surprise! An ice cream treat to end the week in 2nd grade 🍦

Mrs. Ford’s 4th grade class is all smiles after scoring 💯 on the first poem of the year!

Wisdom from Mae Carden, creator of our Carden Method curriculum 🥰

Learn more about the Carden Method-http://www.highlanderschool.com/what-is-the-carden-curriculum/

Highlander School Highlander School is dedicated to educational excellence by providing a secure, child-centered, Christian environment, which encourages independent thinking, self-discipline, and the love of learning. We are a school dedicated to establishing and nurturing the purposes and plans of God within each s...