Best Public Schools in Plano, TX

The city of Plano, Texas is home to 60 schools, including 42 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, 5 high schools, and 1 alternative school, all part of the Plano Independent School District (ISD) except for 2 charter schools - Harmony Science Academy - Plano and Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy Plano. The district is known for its high-performing schools, with several standouts including Plano West Senior High School, Academy High School, and top-ranked elementary schools like Skaggs Elementary, Mathews Elementary, and Centennial Elementary.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the district. While schools like Plano West and Academy High have exceptional results, others such as Plano Senior High and Carpenter Middle struggle with much lower proficiency rates. This appears to be closely tied to the socioeconomic status of the student population, with high-poverty schools like Meadows Elementary and Memorial Elementary facing significant challenges.

The data also highlights the success of specialized, choice-based schools, as the two charter schools in the district - Harmony Science Academy - Plano and Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy Plano - outperform many of the traditional public schools. Overall, the Plano ISD presents a complex picture, with pockets of exceptional performance alongside persistent achievement gaps that will require targeted interventions to address.