John Paul HS or Bishop Lynch (Plano, West: how much, home, transfer)

[Jhawker]

Moving to Plano and am struggling with right suggestion to transferring student between these two high schools. Drive to BL is longer but the bus service is an attractive option. JP is newer but it appears that the school is maturing as much as it can be for a start up school. But which school is better, more friendly, best teachers, etc?

[Big G]

JP II has struggled from the start. It took years and years to generate the funds to open. Once they did, they have had difficulty attracting a critical mass of students. Even today, they are kept afloat by the local parishes, along with enormous donations by local benefactors keen to maintain Catholic secondary education in Collin County.

So, in terms of a "better" school, Bishop Lynch has the advantage. On the other hand, if you plan to live in Plano, why not send your child to school in Plano? I would think bussing all the way to Bishop Lynch would get really old really quickly. Have you considered how much more difficult taking part in extra-curriculars would be at Bishop Lynch vs. JP II?

[momof2dfw]

If the principal at JP is anything like his wife........... My daughter has his wife as her principal and she does an awesome job.

Both schools are good but is it really worth driving across town every single day and for every activity that could be going on. Then when your children start driving themselves that could be a long drive late at night for them coming home after a game or something.

[theloneranger]

If they are female, the answer is Ursuline, and if they are male the answer is Jesuit.

Lynch and JPII are not bad schools, but they don't compare academically and college-placement wise (not to mention sports wise) to Jesuit and Urusline.

Of course, if I were in PISD and weren't a Jesuit alum, I'd send my kids to PISD schools because they are some damn fine public schools.

[eastdallasson]

^agreed.

i did know a girl who lived in plano but made the trip to BL and she loved it and didn't seem too put off by the commute, though it is far

[WestPlanoDude]

Why not send them to Plano West? It's rated better than both BL and JPII. =]

but if I had to choose between Bishop Lynch and JPII, I would pick Bishop Lynch every single time. It's more established and I believe they have a dual-enrollment option that JPII does not offer. If your kids are involved in athletics, then Bishop Lynch has a much better program (especially football and basketball).

[txplanomom]

Our children go to JPII and love it. Both are are good schools but we felt since we live in Plano, the drive would be better especially since they would be driving to school at some point. We also didn't want the big classes in Plano West. Academic wise, JPII is very challenging and on par with the other private schools like Ursuline (they have the same curriculum & use same books). JPII actually beat BL in the district TAPPS academic competition this year. The teachers and principal are great. I agree that if your child is into sports especially football, BL would a better choice. If you haven't already, I would take tour of each school to get a feel for each.