Thomas Elementary (Plano: buying a home, transfer, buying)

[kimjose]

Hi, first of all I'm so thankful to have found this site. My family and I are new to the Plano area and am learning so much from reading these forums. We are in the process of buying a home and have a 4 yr. old little boy. By any chance does anyone know anything (or had any experience) with Thomas Elementary in the Plano ISD? I just hate to sign my name on the final house papers and find out the school has problems. (I've been to greatschools.com.) Thanks so much for any replies! This is my first time to post anything on the internet, so hope I've done it right.

[FarNorthDallas]

Have you checked the just 4 kids website too? That website compares schools to others schools with similar demographics. It can really tease out schools that appear to be doing good, but when you consider their demographics that aren't doing that well or they are doing exceptionally well.

[Big G]

Thomas has a good rep. The middle school it feeds into is good as well, and the high school (9th-10th) is OK. The only down side to that zone is that it feeds into Plano East Senior High, which 1) is a long haul from the zone, and 2) is sometimes seen as the "barrio" school of PISD. It also hosts the IB program, though, so it's not as if you can't get a good education there.

Since 11th grade is a long ways off for your tyke, I wouldn't sweat that. Besides, it's pretty likely that the high school boundaries will be redefined 2 or 3 times between now and then.

Another feature of PISD that a lot of newcomers aren't aware of is the intra-district transfer policy. As long as you're willing to drive your kid yourself, and can provide a semi-legitimate reason, you can send him to any PISD school that has available space. At my son's school, there are over 20 kids (out of 400) from outside the school zone.

What that means is, if you move here and Thomas isn't working out, you have 42 other elementary schools to choose from.

[Pintea]

That is not one of the better elementary schools in Plano. There are better choices out there, where you can still find good deals on a house.