Hightower Elementary

Summary:

Hightower Elementary is a public elementary school in Plano, Texas, serving 477 students in grades K-5. As part of the Plano Independent School District, Hightower consistently ranks among the top 5% of elementary schools in Texas, with exceptional academic performance that outpaces both district and state averages.

Hightower's students excel across all grade levels and subjects, with 3rd-5th grade reading proficiency rates ranging from 77% to 83% and math proficiency rates from 66% to 81%. The school's 5th-grade science proficiency rate of 37.31% is also well above the state average of 26.29%. This high academic achievement is reflected across various student subgroups, including female, male, Asian, White, and multi-racial students, who all rank in the top 10-20% of their respective groups statewide. Even Hightower's African American and Hispanic students perform strongly, ranking in the top 30-40% of their subgroups and outpacing state averages.

While Hightower's overall performance is exceptional, the school's rankings for English Language Learners and low-income students have fluctuated more, suggesting a need for additional support and resources to ensure these populations achieve the same level of success as their peers. Nonetheless, Hightower's academic performance is significantly higher than the nearby schools in the Plano ISD, with the exception of Gulledge Elementary, which also ranks among the top 5% of Texas elementary schools. The other nearby schools, such as Wells Elementary, Harmony Science Academy - Plano, and Huffman Elementary, while still performing well above the state average, lag behind Hightower in terms of overall academic achievement and STAAR test scores.


Detail:

Public K-5

 2601 Decatur Dr
       Plano, TX  75093-3523


(469) 752-1800

District: Plano Independent School District (Isd)

SchoolDigger Rank:
255th of 4,675 Texas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,872 Help


Students who attend Hightower Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Frankford Middle
High:    Plano West Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.9 Help
Number of students:  477

Racial breakdown:

White:
36.7%
Asian:
28.7%
Hispanic:
17.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  22% Help


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 Compare Hightower Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Hightower Elementary ranks better than 94.5% of elementary schools in Texas. It also ranks 11th among 44 ranked elementary schools in the Plano Independent School District (Isd). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 93.07. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Hightower Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (36.7%), Asian (28.7%), Hispanic (17.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 22% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Hightower Elementary is 12.9. 24 elementary schools in the Plano Independent School District (Isd) have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Hightower Elementary employs 36.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Hightower Elementary is $9,872. 28 elementary schools in the Plano Independent School District (Isd) spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Hightower Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Hightower Elementary 255th of 4675 Texas public elementary schools. (See Hightower Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Plano Independent School District (Isd):

SchoolDigger ranks Plano Independent School District (Isd) 185th of 968 Texas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Hightower Elementary.

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Rank History for Hightower Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 87.94 42nd 3465 98.8%
2005 80.64 423rd 3475 87.8%
2006 80.72 365th 3476 89.5%
2007 82.41 296th 3724 92.1%
2008 87.56 79th 3768 97.9%
2009 87.07 81st 3884 97.9%
2010 86.25 78th 3937 98.0%
2011 86.73 84th 4095 97.9%
2012 93.54 60th 4206 98.6%
2013 92.29 105th 4221 97.5%
2014 94.53 19th 4260 99.6%
2015 92.16 98th 4320 97.7%
2016 89.42 243rd 4286 94.3%
2017 96.43 147th 4329 96.6%
2018 96.31 128th 4359 97.1%
2019 96.85 96th 4479 97.9%
2021 96.94 121st 4578 97.4%
2022 92.49 261st 4581 94.3%
2023 93.80 227th 4647 95.1%
2024 93.07 255th 4675 94.5%
See the entire list of Texas Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.97 465th 1046 55.5%
2019 70.58 258th 1112 76.8%
2021 96.03 11th 961 98.9%
2023 95.77 7th 1099 99.4%
2024 79.68 150th 1114 86.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.71 413th 3226 87.2%
2019 82.25 262nd 3333 92.1%
2021 45.02 1764th 3446 48.8%
2022 74.92 515th 3487 85.2%
2023 78.12 453rd 3556 87.3%
2024 83.47 384th 3638 89.4%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.93 625th 3558 82.4%
2019 90.02 128th 3684 96.5%
2021 87.97 178th 3799 95.3%
2022 76.20 479th 3952 87.9%
2023 82.99 330th 4086 91.9%
2024 87.47 247th 4261 94.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.63 163rd 4264 96.2%
2019 91.98 119th 4309 97.2%
2021 87.57 202nd 4451 95.5%
2022 90.56 161st 4477 96.4%
2023 61.00 1447th 4521 68.0%
2024 77.47 557th 4560 87.8%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 92.22 241st 4306 94.4%
2019 96.00 103rd 4348 97.6%
2021 95.49 139th 4499 96.9%
2022 91.71 231st 4561 94.9%
2023 90.29 308th 4588 93.3%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.59 171st 3106 94.5%
2019 76.54 254th 3184 92.0%
2021 78.91 406th 3006 86.5%
2022 73.66 511th 2958 82.7%
2023 76.34 207th 2980 93.1%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for At Risk students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.02 451st 4240 89.4%
2019 81.37 387th 4295 91.0%
2021 95.36 79th 4331 98.2%
2022 81.40 399th 4461 91.1%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for At Risk Students!

Rank History for Male students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.73 86th 4319 98.0%
2019 95.63 112th 4357 97.4%
2021 96.39 125th 4498 97.2%
2022 89.93 320th 4563 93.0%
2023 93.34 196th 4585 95.7%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.59 122nd 1005 87.9%
2019 69.44 260th 1009 74.2%
2021 84.47 74th 967 92.3%
2022 73.14 194th 957 79.7%
2023 76.72 154th 1015 84.8%
2024 76.64 139th 1035 86.6%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.81 268th 2483 89.2%
2019 82.96 220th 2515 91.3%
2021 75.37 320th 2444 86.9%
2022 63.83 639th 2421 73.6%
2023 39.12 1491st 2443 39.0%
2024 54.51 957th 2421 60.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 92.76 132nd 4168 96.8%
2019 91.72 160th 4188 96.2%
2021 83.10 413th 4329 90.5%
2022 69.42 956th 4376 78.2%
2023 89.09 245th 4401 94.4%
2024 87.91 266th 4431 94.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Hightower Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.22 235th 3127 92.5%
2019 91.66 82nd 3142 97.4%
2021 90.04 121st 3082 96.1%
2022 82.79 304th 3082 90.1%
2023 88.02 167th 3106 94.6%
2024 90.58 106th 3078 96.6%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Texas Education Agency, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Hightower Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Texas Education Agency

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
75%

0%

0%

0%

25%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, April 5, 2018

Open Quote Great school! Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, October 24, 2016

Open Quote Bad Experience so far. first year was okay and the second was terrible. Had to switch teachers and office staff is disconnected. They do not care at all. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, February 20, 2012

Open Quote Absolutely excellent school. Focus on math and reading from Kindergarten onwards. Best elementary in Plano. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 30, 2010

Open Quote My daughter is currently in first grade- 1. The teachers are amazing! Highly skilled, fun, enthusiastic, loving. My daughter can't wait to go to school each day to learn something new! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Hightower Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1999 429 23 79 15 1 n/a n/a 0 547
2000 437 20 96 22 0 n/a n/a 0 575
2001 460 26 90 32 0 n/a n/a 0 608
2002 395 26 91 36 1 n/a n/a 0 549
2003 395 26 91 36 1 n/a n/a 0 549
2004 406 33 89 31 2 n/a n/a 0 561
2005 397 46 96 26 3 n/a n/a 0 568
2006 394 40 92 36 1 n/a n/a 0 563
2007 343 50 101 36 2 n/a n/a 0 532
2008 343 45 122 36 2 n/a n/a 0 548
2009 318 37 121 35 3 n/a n/a 0 514
2010 319 34 126 41 2 n/a n/a 0 522
2011 267 30 111 61 2 0 27 0 498
2012 246 41 101 62 3 0 29 0 482
2013 241 39 117 71 2 0 31 0 501
2014 254 49 119 76 4 0 28 0 530
2015 273 56 119 72 3 0 26 0 549
2016 268 60 133 68 2 0 21 0 552
2017 276 52 141 73 1 0 28 0 571
2018 274 41 139 81 1 0 30 0 566
2019 247 47 125 85 2 0 26 0 532
2020 226 54 130 85 1 0 29 0 525
2021 187 55 125 89 1 0 27 0 484
2022 176 44 106 84 1 0 29 0 440
2023 175 56 137 82 0 0 27 0 477

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Hightower Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 547 33.5 16.3 5.1
2000 575 37.5 15.3 4.3
2001 608 42.9 14.2 3.1
2002 549 38.5 14.3 6.9
2003 549 38.5 14.3 6.9
2004 561 41.0 13.7 7.5
2005 568 42.3 13.4 8.6
2006 563 40.4 13.9 11.5
2007 532 40.8 13.0 11.1
2008 548 39.9 13.7 8.2
2009 514 40.7 12.6 9.1
2010 522 37.7 13.8 11.3
2011 498 37.8 13.1 10
2012 482 37.5 12.8 13.5
2013 501 38.3 13.0 14.8
2014 530 38.3 13.8 14.5
2015 549 40.0 13.7 15.8
2016 552 41.0 13.4 14.5
2017 571 41.8 13.6 15.9
2018 566 40.0 14.1 15.5
2019 532 39.6 13.4 20.7
2020 525 38.7 13.5 20.4
2021 484 38.6 12.5 21.5
2022 440 38.2 11.5 25.9
2023 477 36.7 12.9 22

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Hightower Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 547 33.5 16.3 5.1
2000 575 37.5 15.3 4.3
2001 608 42.9 14.2 3.1
2002 549 38.5 14.3 6.9
2003 549 38.5 14.3 6.9
2004 561 41.0 13.7 7.5
2005 568 42.3 13.4 8.6
2006 563 40.4 13.9 11.5
2007 532 40.8 13.0 11.1
2008 548 39.9 13.7 8.2
2009 514 40.7 12.6 9.1
2010 522 37.7 13.8 11.3
2011 498 37.8 13.1 10
2012 482 37.5 12.8 13.5
2013 501 38.3 13.0 14.8
2014 530 38.3 13.8 14.5
2015 549 40.0 13.7 15.8
2016 552 41.0 13.4 14.5
2017 571 41.8 13.6 15.9
2018 566 40.0 14.1 15.5
2019 532 39.6 13.4 20.7
2020 525 38.7 13.5 20.4
2021 484 38.6 12.5 21.5
2022 440 38.2 11.5 25.9
2023 477 36.7 12.9 22

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Hightower Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $540 (5.6%) $9,066 (94.4%) $9,605
2020 $456 (5.0%) $8,755 (95.0%) $9,211
2021 $292 (3.0%) $9,580 (97.0%) $9,872

Data source: Texas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Hightower Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 96th of 4479 Elementary schoolsRanks 227th of 4647 Elementary schools
 2.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Reading (Hightower Elementary)7779
 2%
   3rd Grade Reading (Plano Independent School District (Isd))6065
 5%
   3rd Grade Reading (Texas)4450
 6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hightower Elementary)8073
 7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Plano Independent School District (Isd))6460
 4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Texas)4843
 5%
4th Grade Reading (Hightower Elementary)7668
 8%
   4th Grade Reading (Plano Independent School District (Isd))5861
 3%
   4th Grade Reading (Texas)4347
 4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hightower Elementary)8076
 4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Plano Independent School District (Isd))6161
   4th Grade Mathematics (Texas)4647
 1%
5th Grade Reading (Hightower Elementary)7576
 1%
   5th Grade Reading (Plano Independent School District (Isd))6670
 4%
   5th Grade Reading (Texas)5156
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hightower Elementary)8488
 4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Plano Independent School District (Isd))7167
 4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Texas)5650
 6%
5th Grade Science (Hightower Elementary)8057
 23%
   5th Grade Science (Plano Independent School District (Isd))5748
 9%
   5th Grade Science (Texas)4834
 14%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students532477
 10.3%
African American4756
 19.1%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian125137
 9.6%
Hispanic8582
 3.5%
Pacific Islander00
White247175
 29.1%
Two or More Races2627
 3.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients20.7%22%
 1.3%


Schools Near Hightower Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Hightower Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 477 students attended Hightower Elementary.

Students at Hightower Elementary are 37% White, 29% Asian, 17% Hispanic, 12% African American, 6% Two or more races.

Yes. Hightower Elementary ranks in the top 5.5% of Texas elementary schools.

Students who attend Hightower Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Frankford Middle
High : Plano West Senior High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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