2016 National Merit Semi-Finalists (Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington: loans, schools, university)

[biafra4life]

Originally Posted by Big G

Good idea, poor execution.

There were two issues that the board of 2009 were trying to solve:

1) Overcrowding at Plano East - the school had over 3000 kids, and was already using a warren of portable classrooms. That zone was projected to grow by hundreds more over the next 10-20 years, as the east side continued to be built out. (If anything, actual growth has exceeded projections - the "reduced" PESH is now back up to 2992 kids for 2015-2016- so that was clearly a correct call.)
2) Split feeder at Jasper - In the old system, 3 middle schools fed to Jasper High for grades 9-10. Then, for grades 11-12, these kids would be split up. The Rice and Schimelpfenig kids to Senior, the Robinson kids to West. This was a logistical nightmare for sports teams, speech teams, band/orchestra - basically any extracurricular that spans the full 9-12 sequence.

There were a bazillion different ways to cut that Gordian knot. But every last one of the proposals that were floated included moving Rice over to West. That never got challenged, because no one ever paid any attention to how that would impact the academic demographics of the schools. The other issues were more hot-button.

So if I'm understanding you correctly, it would appear that moving ONE middle school, Rice, over from Plano Senior to West, was enough to essentially reduce PSHS from being the number 2 high school in Collin County, to now being behind Liberty in Frisco and on even terms with the likes of Allen and Plano East in terms of NMSF. This seems to say to me that the much vaunted academic strength of PISD essentially rests on two or three middle schools. Is this correct? If so, then why isn't this a much bigger cause of concern to PISD boosters? This can't be good for the district as a whole. I'm kind of disappointed in Plano East. With all the special academies and IB put over there to boost their performance, the results are underwhelming imo.

[biafra4life]

Originally Posted by kretsch

I do find it a little disheartening that none of the non-magnet schools in DISD particularly Woodrow Wilson was able to produce one as someone who is actually looking for a house in the M Streets/Lakewood area. I was also hoping that the TAG # would be a little higher.

I think this has to be the double edged sword of having stand along magnet programs. They strip away all the top talent from the regular schools. It wouldn't surprise me if there were a few Woodrow grads at some of the magnets.

[biafra4life]

Originally Posted by EDS_

I like that plan a lot. I'm a big fan of tutoring especially consistent tutoring over significant lengths of time.

OU showers NMSF kids with money. That and they do a great job poaching excellent students from Texas screwed over by our state's automatic admissions rules.



Good luck.

Thanks I appreciate it. I was skeptical of starting with a tutor so early, especially since she essentially had to give up soccer for this, but I'm already seeing the results. She's crushing 9th grade algebra even though she's taking it while in 8th grade. Early times granted, but it's hopefully a sign of things to come. Personally, while the Oklahomas and Mississippi States are all good, I'm hoping she can go to Rice if she works hard enough.

[Big G]

Originally Posted by biafra4life

This seems to say to me that the much vaunted academic strength of PISD essentially rests on two or three middle schools. Is this correct?

Yep.

If so, then why isn't this a much bigger cause of concern to PISD boosters? This can't be good for the district as a whole.

I agree.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by biafra4life

Thanks I appreciate it. I was skeptical of starting with a tutor so early, especially since she essentially had to give up soccer for this, but I'm already seeing the results. She's crushing 9th grade algebra even though she's taking it while in 8th grade. Early times granted, but it's hopefully a sign of things to come. Personally, while the Oklahomas and Mississippi States are all good, I'm hoping she can go to Rice if she works hard enough.

That sounds like a good plan. There's nothing better than a youngster getting off to a strong start in math, well a winning mega-million ticket might be better.

[Saintmarks]

Are we putting WAY too much emphasis on the top 1%? I am wondering how many commenting here and wringing their hands about these statistics are NMSF winners themselves or the parents of one?

One can be a very successful, productive member of society and not be a NMSF student, even go on to be successful in the upper professional fields. A NMSF student is one who would more than likely teach medical students as opposed to being one practicing medicine. Both very honorable professions, but being the top 1%, is anything less than that a failure?

Reading thru this thread, one could draw this conclusion.

[Big G]

No, the emperor DOES have clothes! You just can't see them!

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Are we putting WAY too much emphasis on the top 1%? I am wondering how many commenting here and wringing their hands about these statistics are NMSF winners themselves or the parents of one?

One can be a very successful, productive member of society and not be a NMSF student, even go on to be successful in the upper professional fields. A NMSF student is one who would more than likely teach medical students as opposed to being one practicing medicine. Both very honorable professions, but being the top 1%, is anything less than that a failure?

Reading thru this thread, one could draw this conclusion.

That's a good post.

1. PSAT, SAT and ACT scores are among the very few high quality, verifiable quantative metrics we have to cross-reference the relative strengths and weaknesses of various schools/student populations. GPA and class rank stats between schools like say South Oak Cliff and say St. Marks are close to meaningless for an example.

2. My son was a National Merit Finalist. My daughter missed the cutoff by 1 point. I graduated from a tiny school in west Texas - my vr SAT scores were not great, like a 550 or something so I would not have been a NMSF. That said, my school did not offer the PSAT nor participate in the National Merit program in any way.

3. Although I get your point about teaching, my son is in medical school now. Most teaching docs are also practicing clinicians. His plan, which changes about every 6 weeks, is to become a head injury specialist neurologist or neurosurgeon and teach plus perform hard research.

4. The thrust of your point is correct. The top .05% of kids (that's about what NMSF status implies) are not the only ones to be celebrated and respected. IMO the 20 or 25% of students and people who should be in that group but opt out, with little variance, end up running the world and frankly making most of the money. Throughout human history the exceptional and the excellent have been rewarded - everyone else not so much.

[mila01]

Originally Posted by Big G

The Star-Telegram has posted the 2016 NMSF listings for Tarrant County.

National Merit semifinalists: Nearly 100 Tarrant County seniors make 2016 list | The Star-Telegram

Public :

Carroll 16

GC Colleyville Heritage 10
GC Grapevine 10

FW Paschal 8

HEB LD Bell 4

Northwest Byron Nelson 3

Birdville (NRH) 2
Crowley 2
HEB Trinity 2
Keller 2
Keller Central 2

Aledo 1
Arlington Lamar 1
Azle 1
Birdville Richland (NRH) 1
Burleson Centennial 1
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Boswell 1
FW Arlington Heights 1
Keller Fossil Ridge 1
Kennedale 1
Mansfield Lake Ridge 1
Northwest (Justin) 1

Private:

Nolan Catholic (FW) 3
Trinity Valley (FW) 3
Westlake Academy 3

FW Country Day 2
Liberty Christian (Argyle) 2
Oakridge (Arlington) 2

Bethesda Christian (FW) 1
Covenant Classical (FW) 1
Faith Christian (Grapevine) 1
FW Christian (NRH) 1
Harmony School of Innovation (FW) 1
Homeschool 1


---

Cutoff for TX this year was a record-high 220 (!). And before anyone asks - No, I don't have the totals for Plano.

Where's the Plano ISD Frisco ISD List ? please post if you have it. Thanks a lot.

[mila01]

Originally Posted by biafra4life

So if I'm understanding you correctly, it would appear that moving ONE middle school, Rice, over from Plano Senior to West, was enough to essentially reduce PSHS from being the number 2 high school in Collin County, to now being behind Liberty in Frisco and on even terms with the likes of Allen and Plano East in terms of NMSF. This seems to say to me that the much vaunted academic strength of PISD essentially rests on two or three middle schools. Is this correct? If so, then why isn't this a much bigger cause of concern to PISD boosters? This can't be good for the district as a whole. I'm kind of disappointed in Plano East. With all the special academies and IB put over there to boost their performance, the results are underwhelming imo.

Interesting post/point.
Actually, the demographics if Liberty High in Frisco ISD is now VERY similar to demographics of Current Plano Senior High. Yes, removing Rice MS means reducing a huuuuuge Asian % from Plano Senior which is now directed towards Plano West.