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Excellent

#165 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 2% in state

Hightower EL

Elementary School · PLANO ISD

2601 DECATUR DR, Plano, TX 75093

Enrollment

431

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#165 of 8,552

In Plano

#5 of 66

public schools

In district

#6 of 71

PLANO ISD

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Hightower EL

9.2/10

Elementary School in Plano · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Beaty Early Childhood School

5.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Centennial EL

9.3/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hightower EL

Hightower EL is a public elementary school in Plano, TX, part of PLANO ISD. Hightower EL serves approximately 431 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Hightower EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #165 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Hightower EL show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts above district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.4
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+33.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.7 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,384
Chronic Absenteeism7.4%

Hightower EL — Students at Hightower EL score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 85.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 87.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
99.5%
ELA
98%
2010
Math
98%
ELA
99.5%
2011
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
96%
2013
Math
96%
ELA
99.5%
2014
Math
93%
ELA
93%
2015
Math
93%
ELA
94%
2016
Math
91%
ELA
90%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
81%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
81%
ELA
76%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
74.6%
ELA
80.4%
2024
Math
77%
ELA
81%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Hightower EL Compares

See how Hightower EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
98th percentile in TX
Academic
9.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2601 DECATUR DR, Plano, TX 75093

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hightower EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CENTENNIAL EL (rated 9.3/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is HARMONY SCIENCE ACADEMY - PLANO (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SAIGLING EL (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Plano, see our Plano schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
BEATY EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Plano 0.8 mi 5.7
CENTENNIAL EL Plano 0.9 mi 9.3
DAFFRON EL Plano 1.1 mi 5.6
DISCOVERY MONTESSORI ACADEMY Plano 1.1 mi
SAIGLING EL Plano 1.3 mi 8.3
HARMONY SCIENCE ACADEMY - PLANO Plano 1.7 mi 8.5
PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Plano 1.6 mi 5.4
WELLS EL Plano 1.6 mi 7.8
THE EINSTEIN SCHOOL OF PLANO Plano 1.8 mi 7.8
YORKTOWN EDUCATION Plano 1.7 mi
CANYON CREEK DAY SCHOOL Plano 1.8 mi 4.3
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Plano 1.7 mi 7.4
HUFFMAN EL Plano 1.8 mi 7.0
PLANO WEST SENIOR H S Plano 1.8 mi 6.0
ROBINSON MIDDLE Plano 2.1 mi 7.7
SHEPTON H S Plano 1.9 mi 4.2
PLANO SR H S Plano 1.9 mi 6.3
WEATHERFORD EL Plano 1.9 mi 5.3
JACKSON EL Plano 2.0 mi 4.1
CREME DE LA CREME - PLANO Plano 2.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 75093 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,226

Median Home Value

$622,600

Median Rent

$1,773/mo

Population

46,491

College Educated

70.3%

Homeownership

59.7%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.9%

Median Age

43.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANDREWS EL Plano, TX 9.2
ARLINGTON CLASSICS ACADEMY - ARKANSAS CAMPUS Arlington, TX 9.2
BARTON HILLS EL Austin, TX 9.2
BEAR CREEK EL Austin, TX 9.2
BURTON EL Burton, TX 9.2
CANYON CREEK EL Richardson, TX 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hightower EL

What grades does Hightower EL serve?

Hightower EL serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Hightower EL?

Hightower EL has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hightower EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Hightower EL is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hightower EL rank in TX?

Hightower EL ranks #165 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Hightower EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Hightower EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hightower EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hightower EL has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Hightower EL a charter school?

No, Hightower EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hightower EL a Title I school?

No, Hightower EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hightower EL?

24.6% of students at Hightower EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
34 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Collin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.4%

District

PLANO ISD
District Enrollment
47,899
Schools in District
77
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,384
District Rank
#6 of 71

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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