The Highland Park Independent School District is located immediately north of downtown Dallas in the 6.21-square-mile suburban area of Highland Park, University Park and a small part of North Dallas. HPISD serves approximately 33,640 residents who are predominantly college-educated professionals and business leaders in the Dallas community. Since Highland Park schools were founded in 1914, there continues to be a proud tradition of excellence in academic, fine arts, athletics and community service. Dallas is home to the State Fair of Texas, some of the finest museums in the Southwest and many professional sports teams. Southern Methodist University, one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the South, is located in the Park Cities and offers a variety of concerts, lectures and athletic events to the surrounding area. The Highland Park Independent School District first opened its doors in October of 1914 with a four-room building on Cornell Avenue. Since then, it has grown to a district comprised of eight campuses: five elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school and one high school. The district has an enrollment of approximately 6,700 students and employs nearly 800 people, including more than 450 teachers. Highland Park High School students consistently score above the national and state average on the ACT and SAT. More than 97% of Highland Park ISD graduates attend college, with many attending the most prestigious universities in the country.