Frisco, McKenney, Allen, best schools? (Plano, McKinney: how much, income, to live)

[Thelawsons]

My family and I are visiting from Gilbert AZ, we are thinking of moving to the area since we have family in Frisco.

In Gilbert I had the perfect school picked out for my almost 4 year old, I lost a lot of sleep and a lot of time finding the perfect spot . I don't have the first clue about schools here in TX. My son currently goes to ASU, it's a great little program they have for students in the child psych and development program. They have already tested my son in several areas and he is showing signs of being gifted. I am looking for small class sizes, and a fun learning environment. In Gilbert, the best option for this was a charter school.

Can anyone help?! I really don't have the first clue.

Also what's the difference between Frisco, McKenney and Allen?

Thanks!

[bamaintex]

Where will you work? There are bunches of threads on those three districts and you will get lots of different opinions on which is better. How much of a commute you can tolerate will determine a lot. Generally speaking, most on this forum will have these districts in the top tier, Highland Park, Coppell, and Plano. My kids are in Allen ISD and I've been very happy.

[Thelawsons]

Thanks for the reply, my brain is mush from lack of sleep with a 7 month old.

My husband will be telecommuting, I am a freelance graphic designer and photographer so we are flexible. We are possibly looking to live close to my SIL who is in Frisco.

[frenzyrider]

Then you should clearly choose frisco especially south-east that is zoned to Liberty High, Centennial or the new Independence high.. these schools are superior than Allen and McKinney.

[bamaintex]

Originally Posted by frenzyrider

Then you should clearly choose frisco especially south-east that is zoned to Liberty High, Centennial or the new Independence high.. these schools are superior than Allen and McKinney.

That, I believe, is a matter of opinion. Most every ranking I recall seeing has Allen above Frisco and McKinney. I don't have time to research it though. I personally think they are all good choices though. If I didn't have to commute and had family in Frisco, I would probably choose Frisco.

[keribeth818]

Im not sure I would say they are superior. Where do you get this info? They are very different and it depends on what you are looking for.

[Thelawsons]

do they use common core in Texas? I guess what I'm getting at is in Arizona public schools aren't even an option, private charter schools are the way to go.

[frenzyrider]

Originally Posted by bamaintex

That, I believe, is a matter of opinion. Most every ranking I recall seeing has Allen above Frisco and McKinney. I don't have time to research it though. I personally think they are all good choices though. If I didn't have to commute and had family in Frisco, I would probably choose Frisco.

Note. I did not say all frisco high schools. Here is the average DFW SAT scores. Allen is not even in top 20 whereas both Centennial and Liberty High are in top 15. No, it is not a matter of opinion, it is a fact.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/dalla...at-2012-a.html

[keribeth818]

Ive seen the list. I would argue a 20 point difference between Allen and Liberty is significant. In fact, the year before, Allen beat both schools by an even larger margin. Superior would not be the right word here. That aside, SAT scores arent always the best metrics to weigh the quality of the school. Scores are strongly correlated to the family income of the students. Taking into consideration the demographics of both schools, the ranking is a nod to Allen, not Frisco. I dont want this to turn into a thread on how to rank schools but the statement you made simply isnt true.

[bamaintex]

Originally Posted by frenzyrider

Note. I did not say all frisco high schools. Here is the average DFW SAT scores. Allen is not even in top 20 whereas both Centennial and Liberty High are in top 15. No, it is not a matter of opinion, it is a fact.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/dalla...at-2012-a.html

As has been argued ad naseum on this board, there are many more rankings that matter than just the SAT. I just don't have time to look them all up. Their child is 4 and has years until he reaches high school anyway. With the way Frisco rezones, it is possible they could end up in an entirely different school. We know that won't happen in Allen. Plus, my kids elementary was recently ranked 3rd in the entire state in one of the rankings.

Plus, I already said in their situation I would choose Frisco. And, from everything I've read here, if the child is gifted a completely different set of districts should also be considered.