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Very Good

#131 of 884 private schools in TX

Top 15% of private schools

Great Lakes Academy

School

6000 CUSTER RD BLDG 7, Plano, TX 75023

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TX statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

84

Student-Teacher

4.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

4th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Plano

#4 of 16

public schools

Texas schools

#58 of 348

About Great Lakes Academy

Great Lakes Academy serves 84 students in grades 4-12 in Plano, Texas, offering a notably intimate learning environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1 and 18 full-time equivalent teachers. This small regular public school has earned recognition for its academic excellence, achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranking #239 out of 884 schools statewide, placing it in the 73rd percentile among Texas schools. The school's compact size allows for highly personalized attention, with fewer than 10 students per teacher on average.

This structure supports individualized learning across the grade 4-12 span, creating opportunities for close mentorship and tailored educational approaches that larger schools often cannot provide. Great Lakes Academy is situated in an affluent area of Plano where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education. The surrounding 75023 ZIP code has a median household income of $101,246 and median home values of $359,600, with 53% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community maintains a low poverty rate of 7.5%, reflecting the economic stability of the area's 49,376 residents. The school operates within Plano's large city setting, providing students access to urban amenities while maintaining the close-knit feel of a small learning community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 84 students, Great Lakes Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1, Great Lakes Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Great Lakes Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Great Lakes Academy compares to 63 public schools serving similar grades in Plano, TX

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
This School
vs
14.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
84
This School
vs
706
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.6
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 82.1% vs 0%
Asian 7.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 6% vs 0%
Black 2.4% vs 0%
Great Lakes Academy Plano Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Great Lakes Academy (this school) 7.6
THOMAS EL 7.7
CARPENTER MIDDLE 6.0
CHRISTIE EL 5.1
CARLISLE EL 7.1
HUGHSTON EL 6.0
SCHIMELPFENIG MIDDLE 7.3
HENDRICK MIDDLE 6.1
CLARK H S 6.6
HARRINGTON EL 7.5
DAVIS EL 5.9
BETHANY EL 7.9
HEDGCOXE EL 5.2
WELLS EL 5.6
HAGGARD MIDDLE 4.0
MATHEWS EL 6.3
PLANO SR H S 7.9
SAIGLING EL 7.9
RASOR EL 6.1
ACADEMY H S 8.5
ANDREWS EL 7.8

Showing 20 of 63 schools. View all schools in Plano

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TX.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,388.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 32%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 84
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in TX

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 82.1%
Asian 7.1%
Hispanic 6.0%
Black 2.4%
Two or More 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

6000 CUSTER RD BLDG 7, Plano, TX 75023

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Great Lakes Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. BETHANY EL (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is THOMAS EL (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HARRINGTON EL (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Plano, see our Plano schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SPRING CREEK ACADEMY Plano 0.1 mi 6.7
THOMAS EL Plano 0.5 mi 7.7
KIDS LEARNING CENTER Plano 0.5 mi
CARPENTER MIDDLE Plano 0.6 mi 6.0
CHRISTIE EL Plano 0.8 mi 5.1
CUSTER ROAD CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Plano 0.8 mi 4.7
CARLISLE EL Plano 0.8 mi 7.1
HUGHSTON EL Plano 0.8 mi 6.0
AMEEN ACADEMY Plano 1.0 mi 5.0
SCHIMELPFENIG MIDDLE Plano 1.0 mi 7.3
A+ PREP SCHOOL Plano 1.2 mi
HENDRICK MIDDLE Plano 1.5 mi 6.1
ST PAUL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Plano 1.3 mi
HARRINGTON EL Plano 1.6 mi 7.5
DAVIS EL Plano 1.7 mi 5.9
PEARSON EARLY CHILDHOOD Plano 1.6 mi 6.8
HEDGCOXE EL Plano 1.9 mi 5.2
BETHANY EL Plano 1.8 mi 7.9
CLARK H S Plano 1.6 mi 6.6
HAGGARD MIDDLE Plano 1.9 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 75023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,488

Median Home Value

$385,800

Median Rent

$1,897/mo

Population

48,878

College Educated

55.4%

Homeownership

63%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Great Lakes Academy has a median household income of $106,488. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $385,800, with a median rent of $1,897/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Great Lakes Academy

What grades does Great Lakes Academy serve?

Great Lakes Academy serves students in grades 4th through 12th.

How many students attend Great Lakes Academy?

Great Lakes Academy has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Great Lakes Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Great Lakes Academy is 4.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Great Lakes Academy rank in TX?

Great Lakes Academy is ranked #131 out of 884 private schools in TX.

What is Great Lakes Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Great Lakes Academy has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Great Lakes Academy a private school?

Yes, Great Lakes Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Great Lakes Academy a religious school?

No, Great Lakes Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,621/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plano). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
4th – 12th
Enrollment
84
Gender Split
73% M / 27% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.8 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Large City
County
COLLIN
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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