Coppell schools vs Frisco Schools (Plano, Lewisville: homes, neighborhoods, to buy)

[sree5]

I need some help deciding which would be a good ISD for my child. Planning to buy a house, but not sure of the LOCATION. I dont think commute is my preference altough commute to DFW airport is imp b'coz my husband keeps travelling every week.

Having a hard time to decide between how well are the frisco schools rated ( keeping in mind the middle and high schools) when compared to coppell schools. But the value for your bucks is in Frisco, which is a fairly new town with good neighborhoods, more happening places, and decent size homes. As far as schools are concerned, Iam not sure of their exemplary rating (considering SAT's, TAKS, and other merit scholarships). So how imp is a school district in a kid's path to future with good middle and high schools, experienced teachers, good overall scores, IB League, acedemics and electives, and other cultural activities.

It all begins in the middle school, when the students carve their path for the future careers. In that regards, i feel i'am partly inclined towards coppell schools, but bang for the buck is in Frisco ( which my husband is inclined to)
I do respect other's opinions and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Falafelosophy]

Coppell >>> Frisco

[DFWtransplant189]

I second Coppell as well.

[TurtleCreek80]

Coppell's schools are SIGNIFICANTLY better than Frisco's. Plus, the district's borders are "built out" so you won't have to suffer through school district (for the individual schools, not the district itself) borders being redrawn over and over as new Frisco schools are added. Coppell is a PROVEN academic & extracurricular powerhouse and is nationally known as a strong public school system (important when kiddos are applying to out-of-state colleges).

Now you ask what factors will influence the academic outcome of your children. Personally, I think it is three-fold:
1. Parent involvement + family "standards"/expectations: if mom and dad both have advanced degrees, junior will grow up pretty much knowing what's expected of him. Involved parents are great at helping facilitate academic development, whether it's bringing in a tutor when a subject becomes overwhelming or advocating for advanced tracking / outside enrichment if junior is bored in class.

2. The inner drive of your kid. Competitive kids rise to the top of the class. If your kid isn't mature enough to prioritize homework over Facebook or to put in the time to memorize, study, practice (both for academics and whatever outside interests they have in music, sports, volunteering, etc), they won't be successful. Some of this parents can influence, but the kid has to be invested in him/herself.

3. School environment -> this is where Coppell beats Frisco by a long shot. The "pool" of very smart, successful, academically driven competitive kids is MUCH larger at Coppell than Frisco. These kids will be your kids' peers and the pool against which the judge/ challenge themselves. Many of us rise to a higher level when we are with a more competitive, higher-level group than if we are alone at the top of the academic "hill". Coppell will give very bright kids more peers to discuss what they at learning, as well as shape and develop their beliefs about current world events, politics, arts & culture, philosophy, religion, ethics, etc - because they are in a pool of students who take the time to ponder these things and debate/discuss not only at school, but in their free time when hanging out.

I know I was most challenged by my peers in my Highland Park ISD education, and that I may not have pushed myself to the level I saw possible because of my peers & friends had I been at a lower-quality high school.

Your kid may graduate #1 at a Frisco high school, but he/she won't have the same academic/peer experience and maturity than if he/she were at a Plano, Coppell, Highland Park, Flower Mound, or elite private school.

[skids929]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Coppell's schools are SIGNIFICANTLY better than Frisco's. Plus, the district's borders are "built out" so you won't have to suffer through school district (for the individual schools, not the district itself) borders being redrawn over and over as new Frisco schools are added. Coppell is a PROVEN academic & extracurricular powerhouse and is nationally known as a strong public school system (important when kiddos are applying to out-of-state colleges).

Now you ask what factors will influence the academic outcome of your children. Personally, I think it is three-fold:
1. Parent involvement + family "standards"/expectations: if mom and dad both have advanced degrees, junior will grow up pretty much knowing what's expected of him. Involved parents are great at helping facilitate academic development, whether it's bringing in a tutor when a subject becomes overwhelming or advocating for advanced tracking / outside enrichment if junior is bored in class.

2. The inner drive of your kid. Competitive kids rise to the top of the class. If your kid isn't mature enough to prioritize homework over Facebook or to put in the time to memorize, study, practice (both for academics and whatever outside interests they have in music, sports, volunteering, etc), they won't be successful. Some of this parents can influence, but the kid has to be invested in him/herself.

3. School environment -> this is where Coppell beats Frisco by a long shot. The "pool" of very smart, successful, academically driven competitive kids is MUCH larger at Coppell than Frisco. These kids will be your kids' peers and the pool against which the judge/ challenge themselves. Many of us rise to a higher level when we are with a more competitive, higher-level group than if we are alone at the top of the academic "hill". Coppell will give very bright kids more peers to discuss what they at learning, as well as shape and develop their beliefs about current world events, politics, arts & culture, philosophy, religion, ethics, etc - because they are in a pool of students who take the time to ponder these things and debate/discuss not only at school, but in their free time when hanging out.

I know I was most challenged by my peers in my Highland Park ISD education, and that I may not have pushed myself to the level I saw possible because of my peers & friends had I been at a lower-quality high school.

Your kid may graduate #1 at a Frisco high school, but he/she won't have the same academic/peer experience and maturity than if he/she were at a Plano, Coppell, Highland Park, Flower Mound, or elite private school.

Well said TC80! As usual...

[mSooner]

Another vote for Coppell especially based on an airport commute.

However, if you are looking for good schools and good "value" I would add Flower Mound to your list of places to look. Maybe Grapevine, too.

[TX75007]

Originally Posted by skids929

Well said TC80! As usual...

Second this.

[sree5]

Thank You TC80 for the valuable suggestions. After Coppell, in the list including Plano, Flowermound, Frisco, which ISD would you suggest?
I have a question regarding the Texas 10% rule where top 10% of graduating class get automatic admission to any University of their choice in Texas. Frisco ISD is bigger. It is easier to be part of the 10% at Frisco than in smaller Coppell. What are your thoughts on this?

[Big G]

Originally Posted by sree5

Thank You TC80 for the valuable suggestions. After Coppell, in the list including Plano, Flowermound, Frisco, which ISD would you suggest?

Disclaimer: I'm reading between the lines and assuming you value academics much more than playing time for your kid on a sports team. If the latter is more important, then Frisco all the way.

Flower Mound isn't a school district. The two Flower Mound high schools are part of the Lewisville ISD. That district suffers from performance disconnect from one campus to another. I'd think you'd want to stick to the Flower Mound or FM Marcus areas, although you could make a case that Hebron HS (serving Castle Hills and surrounding area) is also a possibility - it seems to at least outperform similar Frisco ISD schools.

I think Coppell and Plano have a lot of similarities, including a wide appeal to highly-educated immigrants. Plano seems to have more Chinese, and Coppell more Indians, but there are sizable numbers of both groups in both districts. You can't go wrong with either one, so make the decision between those two based on your commute and housing budget.

I have a question regarding the Texas 10% rule where top 10% of graduating class get automatic admission to any University of their choice in Texas. Frisco ISD is bigger. It is easier to be part of the 10% at Frisco than in smaller Coppell. What are your thoughts on this?

Frisco ISD as a whole is larger than Coppell, but there's only ONE (regular) high school in Coppell, vs. 6 in Frisco. So, at any particular FISD school, there will be fewer Top 10% slots open.

In any case, I'm not sure that bigger --> easier. If anything, it's the opposite: bigger --> more competition. Small or big, the REAL factor is the level of performance of the other kids in the school. That's what is driving some parents to bail on Plano ISD for the "softer" academic demands of Frisco ISD and other destinations.

IMO, the Top 10% thing is a red herring for Plano, Coppell, and even for Frisco. There are plenty of kids outside the top 10% of those districts getting into Texas Tech or TAMU. UT is tougher (as it should be), but it's still possible to get in without the "golden ticket".

[mSooner]

Well said