- Academics at PISD
- Academy Programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Information regarding times and locations of program information meetings and how to apply.
Students apply to an academy program when applications open. Applications are made during their eighth grade year for the Academy High School and Health Sciences Academy. Students apply to the IB World School during their eighth, ninth or tenth grade years. And students apply in their tenth grade year to the Industries Academy.
Program Information, Grade Levels, Numbers of Students Attending
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Academy High School
The Academy High School is a four-year, project based learning, multi-disciplinary, standards-based program focusing on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math). For the 2021-22 school year, the Academy High School is serving 410 students.
Location
- Plano ISD Academy High School: 1701 Alma Drive, Plano, TX 75075
- Transportation is provided to all of the academies via shuttle from the student's home campus.
Grade Levels Served
- Ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades
- Students apply in their eighth grade year
The project/problem-based learning community of Plano ISD Academy High School emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Learning focuses on real-world experiences and problems with an interdisciplinary curriculum as students collaborate with others both inside and outside of school. website | video
Why Us?
Learners who are able to complete learning evidence independently, are ready to collaborate as a foundation for project completion, and have an appreciation for the holistic nature of learning are good candidates for AHS. AHS learners are curious and always interested in going beyond the learning given by the facilitator.
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Health Sciences Academy
The Health Sciences Academy is a four-year program in partnership with Collin College. For the 2021-22 school year, the Health Sciences Academy is serving 301 students.
Location
- For ninth and tenth grades: Williams High School, 1717 17th Street, Plano, Texas 75074
- For eleventh and twelfth grades: Plano East Senior High School, 3000 Los Rios, Plano, TX 75074
- Transportation is provided to all of the academies via shuttle from the student's home campus
Grade Levels Served
- Ninth and tenth grades
- Students apply in their eighth grade year
The Plano ISD Health Sciences Academy offers a rigorous academic program that prepares students for the demands of a four-year university or pre-med program. Opportunities include college credit, technical certificates, hands-on experience and mentorship from healthcare professionals. website | video
Why Us?
Health Science Academy students have the opportunity to take dual credit courses, earn Industry based certifications and experience hands-on patient care. There is also the opportunity to earn their Associates of Applied Science degree from Collin College by high school graduation.
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IB World School
Four year advanced academics academy housed within Plano East Senior High School. The first two years are preparatory – the IB Diploma Programme begins in grade 11.
For the 2021-22 school year, the IB World School at Plano East is serving 630 students.
Location
- Plano East Senior High, 3000 Los Rios, Plano, TX 75074
- Transportaion is provided to all of the academies via shuttle from the student's home campus
Grade Levels Served
- Ninth through twelfth grades
- Students apply in their eighth, ninth or tenth grade years
The IB World School at Plano East Senior High creates a fulfilling four-year experience for students interested in understanding the world from different perspectives. This school-within-a-school program strengthens the experience of students who choose to participate in the IB Diploma program. website | video
Why Us?
The IB Diploma Programme creates a smaller, close-knit community within Plano East. The majority of our graduates begin in ninth grade and create lasting friendships through IB.
Our students crave the extra challenge of earning an international diploma in addition to a Texas diploma and are inspired to be part of a values-based program.
- Plano East Senior High, 3000 Los Rios, Plano, TX 75074
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Industries Academy
The Industries Academy is a two-year workforce dual Plano credit program at the Collin College Technical Campus. For the 2021-22 school year, the Industries Academy enrollment varies based on seat allocations from Collin College.
Location
- Collin College Technical Campus, 2550 Bending Branch Way, Allen, TX 75013
- Transportation is provided to all of the academies via shuttle from the student's home campus
Grade Levels Served
- Eleventh and twelfth grades
- Students apply in their tenth grade year.
Plano ISD, in partnership with Collin College, offers a variety of workforce dual credit instruction focusing on high-demand and high-wage career fields. This two-year program begins junior year of high school and continues through senior year of high school, providing students with career-specific training and industry certifications. website | video
Why Us?
Industries Academy students have a unique opportunity to earn workforce dual credit while also obtaining skills, training, certifications, and more in relevant high-demand, high-wage career fields. Upon high school graduation, students can either continue to pursue degrees from 2 or 4 year universities or seek employment in their selected career field.
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Find Your Fit in the Academy Programs of Plano
How Are Dipolmas Earned?
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Graduates earn a diploma from the Plano ISD Academy High School. Our learners graduate on the Foundation Endorsement Plan at the distinguished level.
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Our graduates earn a diploma from Plano East Senior High School. Collin College credits earned can be applied towards a post-secondary degree.
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A graduate earns a diploma from Plano East Senior High School and an International Baccalaureate diploma.
Our learners graduate on the Foundation Endorsement Plan at the distinguished level.
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Graduates earn a diploma through Plano ISD senior high campuses. These courses count towards elective credit.
Collin College credit earned can be applied towards a post-secondary degree.
What Type of Students Are Successful?
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Academy High School students are collaborators, open-minded, project orientated, resilient, respectful, flexible, curious, self-directed and resilient. They are ready to tackle difficult challenges on a regular basis and value the learning process.
Learners take responsibility for themselves and make sure they are on time and in the right space without facilitator support. Learners are always ready to work with other learners and receive feedback from peers, facilitators and external mentors.
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Health Sciences Academy students have a passion for healthcare and learning. They are motivated and ready for the challenge of college courses, take responsibility for themselves, particularly when taking dual credit courses, are willing to communicate with professors to ensure their success in the program and maintain a grade of 75 or above in their workforce dual credit courses.
Successful students attend class regularly and use the resources provided to them through CougarWeb, Canvas and Collin Colleges dual credit services.
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IB World School students have experienced success in advanced courses and are motivated by the challenge of earning an IB diploma. They are open minded, hard working and intellectually curious. They have advanced reading and writing skills and enjoy working with others.
An IB diploma requires that a student will be enrolled in the most rigorous classes but will also embrace the challenge of writing a 4,000 word essay and documenting their creative, active and service ventures during grades eleven and twelve.
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Industries Academy students have a passion for learning, are able to prepare appropriately for class and are willing to communicate with their professors.
Successful students attend class regularly and use the resources provided to them through CougarWeb, Canvas and Collin Colleges dual credit services.
Teaching/Learning Styles & Assessments?
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The Academy High School is a project-based, standards-based, muli-disciplinary STEAM school where learners work collaboratively on long-term projects that culminate in a public presentation. Learners are evaluated in many different ways as they work to show their understanding of concepts.
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Ninth grade instruction is traditional and taught by a Plano ISD teacher.
Tenth through twefth grades are Dual Credit courses taught by Collin College Professors. These courses are held to the same academic rigor as the same courses on Collin campuses.
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Diverse but traditional. Our teachers use lecture, technology such as NearPod, group projects, seminars, and discussions. Assessments include essays, short answer, multiple choice, and oral exams as well as Socratic Seminars, posters, projects, and presentations.
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The Industries Academy has been designed with workforce education as its core function. Collin College Technical Campus provides classroom and lab space dedicated to training tomorrow's craftspeople on the latest techniques with the newest industry-standard technology through hands-on learning experiences.
What Extras Are Required?
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At the Academy High School, all learners are required to complete a 30-hour internship and complete a Senior Capstone Project.
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At the Health Sciences Academy, all students are required to complete 10 community service hours each semester.
All students will need their own transportation to and from clinical sites that start in either eleventh or twelfth grades.
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All IB diploma candidates must complete one-two hours of CAS (creativity, physical activity and service) each week, as well as write a 4,000 word essay and take a course called Theory of Knowledge.
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Industries Academy students are expected to attend their workforce dual credit classes at the Collin College Technical Campus requiring transportation through Plano ISD from senior high campuses OR through personal transportation.
Can Students Earn College Credits?
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Yes, the Academy High School offers dual enrollment courses through Collin College during the junior and senior years.
Our learners might choose English 1301, English 1302, Math 1342 (Statistics) and Economics 2301 or 2302.
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Yes, Health Sciences Academy students can graduate with up to 60 college credit and have the potential to earn AAS degrees from Collin College.
Students also have the opportunity to earn at least one Industry Based Certification in Health Care.
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Yes, an IB diploma earns an automatic 24 college credits in Texas public universities. The majority of our students graduate with 30-60 college credits.
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Yes, students can earn workforce dual credit.
Are AP Classes Available?
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No. Students do not take AP classes at the Academy High, but we do administer AP exams for learners who have prepared through self study.
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Yes, Health Sciences Academy students can take AP classes.
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Yes, IB World School students can take AP classes, but the majority of the student's core courses will be IB rather than AP (also 5.0 GPA).
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Yes, Industries Academy students can take AP courses if the student's schedule allows.
Are UIL Sports/Music Available?
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No, the Academy High School does not offer UIL activities. We do, however, have the Titan Robotics Team, Titan Motor Sports Team and Titan Esports Team.
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Yes, at Williams (ninth and tenth grades) and Plano East Senior High (eleventh and twelfth grades), students can participate in all campus activities.
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Yes. All Plano East sports, music, debate and theater options are available to students in grades nine through twelve. Some sports require tryouts.
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Yes, depending on the student's schedule needs, which programs the student is participating in at Collin College and what time the student's dual credit classes meet.
Are Clubs Available?
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At the Academy High School, students can participat in any club on campus. Clubs meet once a week during the school day so everyone can participate.
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Health Sciences Academy students can participate in any club at Williams High School (ninth - tenth grades) or Plano East Senior High (eleventh - twelfth grades).
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IB World School students can participate in any of the 50+ clubs that are available at Plano East Senior High School.
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Industries Academy students can participate in any of the clubs their senior high campus offers.