There was a household that I had to explain several times that it's Irving, not Elba. They were about to move to Irving, Texas, and wanted to check the schools first before packing. To summarize, there are three main things to check.

The first is the school itself. Among Korean parents in the Irving area, a frequently mentioned place is the all-boys private school, Sister Christian Preparatory School. According to information compiled on Wikipedia, all graduates from this school go on to four-year colleges, and it has ranked in the top 50 by an independent organization that ranks private high schools in the U.S. In 2021, it was also ranked 3rd among Catholic high schools nationwide. In 2025, it received the College Board AP School Honor Roll Platinum badge.

The second is tuition. For the 2026-27 school year, tuition is $26,400 for grades 1-2, $26,750 for grade 3, $27,400 for grades 5-7, and $27,800 for grade 8. It's good to note that there is an additional registration fee of about $900 to $1,000.

The third is housing. While the school is located in downtown Irving, families looking for homes within commuting distance often consider areas near Las Colinas. According to data from City-data.com for 2024, the median home value in Irving is $349,800, and the median rent is $1,734. It's also worth noting that the median home value was $92,600 in 2000, indicating a significant increase in property values over the past 20 years.

I pointed out one more thing to this family. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Irving has a relatively low entry barrier. If they were to look at areas like Park Cities with the same budget, there wouldn't be many listings, but in Irving, the options are much broader. In terms of commuting distance, it's conveniently located for both downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, making it a popular choice for families where both spouses commute to different areas.

For families coming from out of state, there's one more item to check. Texas has no state income tax, but the property tax rate is high. If they only consider the tax structure of their previous residence when budgeting monthly expenses, there could be a significant difference in actual costs, so it's safer to calculate this in advance.

Another item to consider is the application timeline for private schools. Most private schools start accepting applications for the next school year in the fall and announce results in the spring. If they only think about the moving date, they might miss the application deadline, so it's a good idea to mark the application schedule on the calendar when planning the move.

For investors considering rental income, it's worth paying attention to rental demand in areas like Las Colinas, where commercial and residential developments are thriving. However, since the yield can vary greatly depending on the type of properties available, it's safer to compare recent rental cases with similar conditions before making a purchase.

Lastly, it's good to check the commuting method. Schools like Sister Christian that only accept certain grades often have limited school bus routes, which may require parents to handle drop-offs and pick-ups themselves. For dual-income families, it's wise to consider this in advance to avoid surprises later.

If a family is preparing for both a move and school enrollment like this one, I recommend organizing the order as checking the school, checking the tuition, and checking the housing. If they proceed in the reverse order, they might find a house they like only to realize later that commuting is difficult.

School district boundaries and private school commuting zones can change every year. If there's a specific address of interest, please check the school assignment before signing a contract. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it's recommended to consult with real estate and tax professionals before finalizing any contracts.