Very Good
#1470 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 17% in state
Hightower EL
Elementary School · PLANO ISD
2601 DECATUR DR, Plano, TX 75093
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plano
#11 of 66
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#778 of 4,678
In district
#11 of 71
PLANO ISD
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Hightower EL
Hightower Elementary serves 431 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Plano, Texas, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking #230 out of 8,598 Texas schools, this regular public school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that places it in the 97th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 34 full-time equivalent teachers and a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio.
Academic performance is particularly strong, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics across all grade levels. This consistent excellence across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to comprehensive educational development. Located on Decatur Drive in the 75093 ZIP code, Hightower Elementary sits within an affluent and highly educated community where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood features a median household income of $121,360 and median home values of $588,600, with a low poverty rate of 5.7%. This supportive community environment, combined with the school's dedicated faculty and strong academic programs, creates an ideal setting for elementary education within Plano's large city landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Hightower EL — Students at Hightower EL score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.7/10.
How Hightower EL Compares
See how Hightower EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 67% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 72% (2021).
Location
2601 DECATUR DR, Plano, TX 75093
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hightower EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAIGLING EL (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is WEATHERFORD EL (rated 7.0/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CENTENNIAL EL (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.4 |
| CENTENNIAL EL Plano | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| DAFFRON EL Plano | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| DISCOVERY MONTESSORI ACADEMY Plano | 1.1 mi | — |
| SAIGLING EL Plano | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| HARMONY SCIENCE ACADEMY - PLANO Plano | 1.7 mi | 3.3 |
| PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Plano | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| WELLS EL Plano | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| PLANO WEST SENIOR H S Plano | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| ROBINSON MIDDLE Plano | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| SHEPTON H S Plano | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| PLANO SR H S Plano | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| WEATHERFORD EL Plano | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| JACKSON EL Plano | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hightower EL has a median household income of $121,226. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $622,600, with a median rent of $1,773/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AMIGOS POR VIDA-FRIENDS FOR LIFE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston, TX | 7.8 |
| ANDREWS EL Plano, TX | 7.8 |
| AUSTIN EL Pecos, TX | 7.8 |
| BELL EL Tyler, TX | 7.8 |
| BLANTON EL Lantana, TX | 7.8 |
| BOWIE EL Rosenberg, TX | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #1470 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Hightower EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Hightower EL has a composite rating of 7.8 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.
What are the test scores at Hightower EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hightower EL has 74.0% math proficiency and 74.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 34 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 58 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,621/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plano). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (469) 752-1800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PLANO ISD- District Enrollment
- 47,899
- Schools in District
- 77
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,384
- District Rank
- #11 of 71
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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