Straight from the Source: Facts about Plano ISD

This designation recognizes school districts with strong, high-quality CTE programs that serve the needs of students, employers and local communities. Selected districts exemplify best practices and lead the way in advancing CTE across the state. Plano ISD is one of only 71 districts selected.

Offering more than 30 programs of study, students receive hands-on learning and real-world experiences that prepare them for college, career and beyond. Starting in 7th grade, CTE provides opportunities for students to gain knowledge and skills they may use in high school, college, a career after graduation and/or as a financial means to help further their education. Students blend academic and career skills, explore work-based learning and gain valuable industry-based certifications that set them apart. Supported by the community's investment, Plano ISD’s state-of-the-art CTE Center, currently under construction, will house 19 of these programs.

Thank you to our CTE teachers and staff who continue to prepare today's learners to become tomorrow's leaders.

 

In the early 1990s, the Plano ISD FUTURES Foundation launched its Mini-Grants Program for Innovative Classroom Instruction to recognize and support educators developing innovative instructional projects. Spearheaded by then Special Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications Carole Greisdorf, the initiative awarded $5,000 in its first year, setting the stage for decades of teacher recognition, innovation and support. Early grants ranged from approximately $100 to $1,000, with criteria requiring projects to support school improvement goals. Grant recipients learned they’d won through surprise classroom visits from FUTURES Board members, a tradition that evolved into today’s much-loved Grant Patrol.

Over the years, the program evolved alongside the district’s needs. The Plano ISD FUTURES Foundation eventually became the Plano ISD Education Foundation, and the Mini-Grants Program transformed into today’s Grants to Educators Program. Through this evolution, the mission remained focused on celebrating and supporting the innovative work of Plano ISD educators. Today, grants support innovative teaching methods, new technology, after-school programming, classroom materials and student experiences across all grade levels and subjects, with individual projects receiving up to $2,000 and multi-campus collaborations earning up to $3,500.

The program’s impact is undeniable. In the last decade alone, the Plano ISD Education Foundation has awarded nearly $1.5M in grants to teachers across the district. This momentum continued on November 14, 2025, when the Grant Patrol delivered 107 grants to educators at 55 schools, totaling $160,000. Mrs. Greisdorf, who now serves as a community and school district volunteer, was there to celebrate several of these recipients, witnessing firsthand the legacy she helped create more than three decades ago.

Plano ISD seniors have a history of receiving substantial scholarship offers, but this increase is due in part to the Plano ISD Counseling Department, which launched a senior survey for students to include all scholarship offers they receive throughout the school year. The department also created step-by-step video tutorials to help students upload this important information.  

Additional Class of 2025 Facts: 

• 3,769 total seniors submitted 14,922 applications to 763 institutions. 

• 2,492 seniors reported enrolling in a 4-year or 2-year college. 
• 25 graduates have verified enlisting in the military.

Learn more about our school profiles and graduation statistics.

Consistent National and State Level Performance Recognition

Plano ISD instrumental and vocal music programs at the middle school, high school and senior high school levels have consistently performed and recorded their talents at superior levels. These ensembles have been ranked at the national and state level, performing across Texas, Illinois, Indiana and New York. 

A Decade of Outstanding Achievement

2026:

1. Plano East Senior High School Choir - Southwest American Choral Director's Association Conference Invited Choir

2025:

2. Plano East Senior High School Orchestra - Midwest Clinic & Concert National Invited Orchestra
3. Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition Qualified Ensemble
4. Jasper High School A'Cappella Choir - TMEA Invited Choir
5. Plano West Senior High School Orchestra - TMEA State Champion String Honor Orchestra
6. Rice Middle School Chamber Orchestra - TMEA State Champion Middle School String Honor Orchestra

2024:

7. Plano West Senior High School Choir/Chorale - TMEA State Invited Choir
8. Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition Qualified Ensemble
9. Plano Senior High School Band - Wind Ensemble - Music For All National Festival Invited Band

2023:

10. Plano West Senior High School Orchestra - TMEA State String Honor Orchestra
11. Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition Qualified Ensemble

2022:

12. Plano East Senior High School Choir - TMEA State Invited Choir
13. Renner Middle School A'Cappella Treble Choir - TMEA State Invited Choir
14. Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition Qualified Ensemble

2021:

15. Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition Qualified Ensemble

2020:

16. Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition Qualified Ensemble

2019:

17. Plano West Senior High School Orchestra - TMEA State String Honor Orchestra

2018:

18. Plano West Senior High School Orchestra - TMEA State Full Honor Orchestra
19. Plano West Senior High School Orchestra - Midwest Clinic & Concert National Invited Orchestra
20. Robinson Middle School Choir - TMEA Invited Choir
21. Rice Middle School Tenor Bass Choir - TMEA Invited Choir

2017:

22. Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition Qualified Ensemble

Excellence Across All Levels

This exceptional track record demonstrates Plano ISD’s commitment to fine arts excellence, with recognition spanning from middle school through senior high school programs. The district’s music programs consistently achieve the highest levels of state and national recognition, showcasing the talent of students and the expertise of music educators across instrumental and vocal disciplines.

Record Participation and Achievement

Growing AP Enrollment: The district served 5,964 students in AP classes during the 2024-25 school year, representing a 180-student increase from 2023-24. This growth continues a strong upward trend, with AP students comprising 39.4% of grades 9-12 enrollment.

Testing Volume Increases: Students took 14,098 AP tests in 2025, marking an increase of 1,384 exams from the previous year. This represents the highest number of AP tests administered in the district over the past six years.

AP Scholar Recognition Jumps: The district produced 1,466 AP Scholars with Distinction (an increase of 257 from 2024) and 473 AP Scholars with Honor (up 38 from 2024). Overall, 893 students earned AP Scholar recognition by scoring 3 or above on three or more exams.

College Board National Recognition Program Designees: The College Board recognized 790 10th and 11th grade students with the 2025 School Recognition Award, and 94 students earned the 2025 First-Generation Recognition Award. These recognitions are based on cumulative GPA in conjunction with PSAT scores and/or AP exam scores.

Strong Foundation for Continued Success

The district maintains an overall AP score rate of 84.5% for students earning scores of 3 or above, demonstrating consistent high performance. Grade-level participation continues to increase, with 30.3% of 9th graders taking AP Human Geography, 38.5% of 10th graders in AP World History and 33.2% of 11th graders enrolled in AP English Language.

Outperforming State and Global Averages

Plano ISD students significantly outperform their peers statewide and globally across the district's top five most-tested AP subjects:

Plano ISD’s perfect FIRST rating is the highest possible mark under the Texas Education Agency’s accountability system, assessing school district financial health across 21 indicators—including budgeting, debt management, internal controls and resource allocation. Achieving this score highlights the district’s transparency, responsible fiscal practices and strong prioritization of direct classroom spending.

As evidence of that efficiency, Plano ISD’s administrative expenditures are just 5.33%, well below the state threshold of 8.55% under the School Administrative Cost Ratio Indicator (Test 13) for the 2024–2025 FIRST ratings; meaning more funding stays in the classroom where it matters most for students. This result gives taxpayers, parents and the community confidence that public funds are managed with integrity and purpose. It also honors the hard work of the Board of Trustees, finance staff and district leaders whose stewardship delivers these exceptional results.

Read the full story and get detailed financial reports:

• Plano ISD Earns a Perfect Score on 2024-25 Texas School FIRST Rating

• Plano ISD Financial Transparency & Reports

To ensure Board meetings remain focused and efficient, revisions to Policy BED(LOCAL) were approved in August 2025.. In line with state law and common practice among Texas districts, Plano ISD now limits public comments at regular meetings to items listed on the meeting agenda. This approach allows trustees and staff to concentrate on district business and decision-making. At the same time, Plano ISD values hearing from families and community members on broader issues, and will host Community Input Meetings where stakeholders can share questions, concerns or ideas with trustees and district leaders on topics not directly tied to a specific agenda item.

These meetings, offered at convenient times, ensure that every stakeholder, from parents to students to staff, has the opportunity to voice concerns, share ideas and ask questions about any district-related topic. This approach balances an orderly, efficient Board process with open, meaningful public engagement, ensuring all voices remain an essential part of district planning and improvement.

For dates and other information about Community Input Meetings, visit the Plano ISD Community Input Meetings page. For recent Board actions and updates, see the Plano ISD Board Briefs page.

Plano ISD does not tolerate antisemitic or hateful behavior. Every reported incident is taken seriously and addressed under both the law and the district’s Student Code of Conduct, which explicitly prohibits antisemitism. Plano ISD actively works to honor the rich diversity of its community and the cultural and religious traditions that shape students’ lives. For policy details and steps for reporting, visit the Plano ISD Bullying & Harassment page.

Recently, social media posts and a Texas Attorney General press release falsely claimed that Plano ISD promotes antisemitism. These claims do not reflect the district’s values or actions. Plano ISD believes such politically driven rhetoric distracts from the district’s educational mission: supporting all students and ensuring their success.

Plano ISD welcomes full transparency and is cooperating with any investigations, including an independent audit of the allegations. The district is confident that facts and an open review will prove these claims unfounded and expects that all parties will share accurate findings.

Strengthening community trust remains a top priority. Plano ISD partners with respected groups—including the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, and the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum—to reinforce its anti-hate education and response efforts.