Plano East Senior High vs any Frisco ISD High School? (Liberty: fit in, high schools)

[md2fl]

What would you pick and why?

[Bigger G]

Plano East as they may be weakest link in PISD yet perform significantly higher than Frisco schools. Their crown jewel is International Baccalaureate program that is based their to lure some high performers from West Plano. It is one notch higher than AP program.

Not to forget that location is better than Frisco.

[styron]

PESH is a wonderful school and has the benefit of the resources of the entire PISD. That means the gifted program curriculum, summer programs (cheap and WONDERFUL - my kids have all been through it every year!), shared library resources, reputation. People speak glowingly throughout the college admissions process about PISD. I don't think it's any contest.

[DitsyD]

My son attends PESH. His college visits show that even Plano East (as opposed to the other two Plano Senior High Schools) has a reputation for excellence across the country. Plano ISD works hard to have each student reach their potential, no matter which Plano school they attend.

We never even considered Frisco.

[Big G]

Depends on what you want.

If you're looking to start on a sports team, Frisco ISD will be a better choice.

PESH's housing stock runs from 5 figures (no joke!) to 7 figures (also no joke!). Frisco's economic demographics are more uniform.

Frisco ISD's AP offerings have some fine print - namely, "AP course availability on each campus is based on enrollment". In other words, unless you're at Liberty (or maybe Centennial) - good luck actually getting to take all of your planned AP classes. Rumor has it Lone Star is particularly struggling to fill more than a handful of their AP offerings. That's not an issue at any of the PISD schools. With 1000+ students in each graduating class, you can always find enough kids to run AP Psych, Comp. Gov., or anything else.

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Is the IB program "higher" than the AP programs at PWSH or PSHS? Only insofar as you can't do a "partial IB" diploma, while it's possible to take only 2 or 3 AP classes. Downside is, for those not doing IB, the AP offerings at PESH are thinner.

As for full AP at PSHS or PWSH vs. full IB at PESH, I'd say it's a wash, with bonus points for the flexibility of the AP curriculum in terms of languages (no German, Chinese, or Latin available to IB kids) and elective APs like Psychology and Comp. Gov.

[Bigger G]

IB is a wholesome and rigorous program, not a la carte like AP. Many kids join but give up after two years as its too demanding. West & Senior offer lots of AP options to pick from and have better demographics so unless for IB Academy, they are better options hands down.

That being said, all three are light years ahead of Frisco schools in academics and extra curriculars. Only reason to pick Frisco is that its easier to get onto sports teams as schools are smaller hence less competition.

[BiGeek]

Here is an interesting thread about IB vs AP.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/educa...lege-prep.html

[Sushi cake]

I would pick PISD over FISD for academics and oppurtunities without any doubt. This is a global age and I would prefer IB over other streams. In Plano you can do IB and if its not your cup of tea then best AP programs in DFW are available as back up. By the way you do need to remember that all AP or IB programs aren't equal, top districts have higher levels of implementation.

[Considering Coming Back]

I don't think you can just ask "which school", they are so different. What do you want out of the school? Low taxes? Appreciation? A strong flute section? A pole vaulting team? College? What kind of college?

I think too many people just ask 'which has better test scores'? (even then- what test!?) and don't think of the bigger picture and how you and your family will fit in and use the school as part of the community.

[GripeWater]

Schools were invented for learning so academic standard is what should be the one must have.