Plano Middle Schools (Dallas, McKinney, Midlothian: apartments, rentals, homes)

[curlygirlie]

I'm relocating to Plano next month and I'll be renting. I'm looking for places that are zoned for great/good middle schools. I've heard that PISD is a good one all around, but can anyone here recommend a great middle school (academically sound, athletics, clubs, parent involvement,etc). Also, does anyone know of any good after school programs for middle schools in Plano?

My daughter will be going to the 6th grade, so the whole middle school thing will be new to the both of us and I want to make sure I enroll her somewhere that is as good as possible.

Thanks

[momof2dfw]

First off, where is your job located? You do NOT want to move to an area of the metroplex that could put you a long distance from home. Read the thread about the OP asking for public transit from McKinney to Midlothian. All too often people moving here "drink the koolaid" that only "x" school districts are acceptable when in fact they are all pretty good. Every district, including Plano, has bad schools and good schools. If your job is going to be across town on the other side of Dallas by living in Plano your keeping yourself away from precious family time that has more of an impact on a childs education than just about anything else. Just mho.

[compSciGuy]

Originally Posted by curlygirlie

I'm relocating to Plano next month and I'll be renting. I'm looking for places that are zoned for great/good middle schools. I've heard that PISD is a good one all around, but can anyone here recommend a great middle school (academically sound, athletics, clubs, parent involvement,etc). Also, does anyone know of any good after school programs for middle schools in Plano?

My daughter will be going to the 6th grade, so the whole middle school thing will be new to the both of us and I want to make sure I enroll her somewhere that is as good as possible.

Thanks

What's your priority? "Academically sound" makes it appear you only want a decent school, and not the most rigorous. The most rigorous academically probably aren't going to be the best for athletics, clubs, parent involvement, etc.

[curlygirlie]

I haven't drank the kool-aid, lol. I have very little to go off as I'm not from the area, so I've poked around the internet and talked to one of the people I know in the area who told me Plano had one of the better school districts in the area. I will be working a slight distance from Plano, but nothing that will adversely effect family time. Any suggestions?

[curlygirlie]

I would love to find the most rigorous school as my daughter is very bright. However, I do like the fact that she is well rounded and I'd like a school that promotes that. It seems strange that an academically rigorous school would have parental involvment. At any rate, do you have any suggestions?

[compSciGuy]

The most academic Plano schools have a lot of Asian parents that don't care about athletics, extra-curricular activities, etc. Many are recent immigrants that push their kids to study, and don't really get as involved in school activities.

[Big G]

I'd recommend Haggard Middle School. Central location (right next to Plano Senior), small size, active PTA, lots of extra-curriculars, strong music and drama program, and excellent student performance. Only downside is that their tech elective selection is non-existent.

Not a whole lot of rentals, but some apartments are available in the area, as well as a fair selection of homes for lease or rent.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by compSciGuy

What's your priority? "Academically sound" makes it appear you only want a decent school, and not the most rigorous. The most rigorous academically probably aren't going to be the best for athletics, clubs, parent involvement, etc.

Not really. My daughters school is a Gifted & Talented Magnet school and next year starts high school in the IB program. Both of these schools have a very strong and academically sound program (it is gearted towards students that have a higher level of learning), strong athletics (they are usually in the district playoffs in several sports every year and the high school football team has one state many times). The parental involvement is outstanding and every year both of these schools tend to be #1 or #2 for parent volunteer hours in the entire district. For a high school.......... the parent volunteer hours are more than most elementary schools. They also have strong student clubs. Schools w/ all are out there. I've witnessed and experienced them firsthand. They are well rounded as the schools actually are setup for these kinds of students and offer them the same activities that a "normal" school would. The students in most magnet programs are required to participate in other areas of the school be it the fine arts, athletics or such.

Originally Posted by curlygirlie

I would love to find the most rigorous school as my daughter is very bright. However, I do like the fact that she is well rounded and I'd like a school that promotes that. It seems strange that an academically rigorous school would have parental involvment. At any rate, do you have any suggestions?

If your daughter is very bright then why not search out districts that offer magnet programs for such. The high school IB program is geared towards students that do have a natural ability to achieve very high standards academically. The only high school in the Plano ISD that has this program is Plano East. I would not have a problem sending a child to that school at all based solely on the "diversity" of it. Kids in the IB program are around like minded students and since they are around kids like themselves they don't feel as "nerdy".