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Number two in metroplex
Photo Credit: Steven Buri
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Written by Amy Tang, Staff Writer
The Murphy Monitor listed the campus as second-best-school in preparing students for college in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, right behind Highland Park High School. Details considered in ranking include above-average scores for the PSAT and SAT and high participation rates of students in the AP and IB programs. With a population of 2,863 students, the school can boast its academic excellence and diversity.
“At PESH, huge class sizes help kids get the feel of what college is like,” U.S. history teacher Christina Perez said. “And if you have this feel here, that it’s big, but I can still succeed, most people will move on.”
The U.S. News and World Report commend the campus for having top-notch teachers.
“We take pride in what we do and we try to know what we’re teaching and be good at what we’re teaching,” English teacher Karen Holloway said. “I think there’s just a sense of pride with the teachers at PESH, and we’re all happy to be here. Not to put down the other schools, but we think we’re doing things the best but I’m sure they do too.”
According to the Dallas Morning News, local AP scores are on the rise. Last year, 24 students from this campus earned a National Merit Scholar title, raising the standards significantly. Alex Ma, who moved here this year from Virginia Beach, realizes the changes in being a panther.
“I used to be a big procrastinator back in Virginia,” a said. “When I moved here, I started getting a lot more organized; didn’t procrastinate as much. And I always keep everything in a binder now, whole punched and everything.”
U.S. News and World Report voted the city of Plano one of the top 10 places to grow up in America based on the low crime rates, strong schools and fun activities. With 7,000 faculty and staff members serving 55,000 students in Plano, the PISD received national recognition for its strength. The Department of Education handed the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award to 24 schools in Plano.
“This debunks the whole thing about how we’re ranked second because on a national level Highland Park doesn’t even rank up there,” Mrs. Perez said. “They’re nowhere to be mentioned. And for us to meet challenges and to be right there next to Highland Park, it’s pretty amazing.”
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