Starwood, Frisco vs West Plano area schools path? (Dallas, Lewisville: buying a house, established neighborhood)

[LFC74]

Originally Posted by Downton

Brinker, Barksdale, Skaggs, Andrews, centennial, all are excellent schools but if you like to split hairs than schools feeding to Rice have an academic edge over other schools feeding to Renner except Barksdale.

Can you expand on what makes Barksdale stronger academically than Brinker or Centennial? Is it as simple as test scores or is there other factors playing a role?

[Snowyy]

Both schools are excellent schools without any major difference. However, Barksdale is exemplary, has math rock program, performs slightly better on testing, offers more financial and ethnic homogenosity. It's all what I read and heard, my kids aren't there yet so no insider's scoope.

[Souleiado]

Originally Posted by Big G

I've caught flak for daring to suggest this before, but "the best" schools academically are NOT in the richest area of PISD, or even the second or third richest area.

The highest-performing schools in PISD, hands down, are Rice Middle School and the 3 elementaries feeding to it - Skaggs, Andrews, and Wyatt.

The homes in this area are predominantly in the $250K-$300K range - nice, not cheap, but nowhere near as $$$$ as Willow Bend or adjoining neighborhoods. In fact, they are some of the less expensive houses in the Plano West zone.

You are totally right , those schools are far ahead of any other schools in PISD . In a good way , that neighborhood helped Plano west High to loose the " white rich kids school " tag , they used to have while raising the academic level.

[Mulching]

Barksdale is awesome, we have our younger one there and older one in Renner and very happy with both schools.

[ObamneyI]

Barksdale is one of the best elementary schools in PISD.

[LFC74]

Originally Posted by ObamneyI

Barksdale is one of the best elementary schools in PISD.

How does Brinker and Centennial stack up vs Barksdale? What does Barksdale have that makes it that much better than the other two if thats the case?

[ObamneyI]

It is exemplary and other two are not but otherwise all three are excellent schools. You can't go wrong with any of them.

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by Souleiado

You are totally right , those schools are far ahead of any other schools in PISD . In a good way , that neighborhood helped Plano west High to loose the " white rich kids school " tag , they used to have while raising the academic level.

I worked at Skaggs for 2 years and it was astounding how excited the children were to be at school, I've never seen anything like it. It is an extremely diverse schools as well.

[bgreat]

Having lived in 75093(W Plano) and Starwood, I would say, the W Plano demographics is an older crowd. Starwood is definitely much more kid friendly and for younger families, plus Frisco is still booming. Wasn't sure about Starwood when we bought, but am extremely happy we bought in here. Quiet neighborhood, tree line street, nice club house and common areas. Easy to meet neighbors. Lots of social events..

[Jasmine0]

Plano bashers need to make up their mind, you can't say that Plano has no younger families and at the same time say that their schools are overcrowded. I am new and haven't bought a home yet so no invested interest but I feel that being an established town, Plano is a natural mix of young and old residents unlike Frisco that feels like an Stepfordish artificial collection of younger families only. I want my children to have exposure to people of all ages and know that aging is a natural process and we don't need to banish every 50+ from our neighborhoods. However, if you see results of Plano ISD then you know that Plano will keep attracting families with focus on education.