Plano ISD Academy High School
| Plano ISD Academy High School | |
|---|---|
 The logo of the school, depicting a helmet worn by Greek warriors | |
| Location | |
|
1701 Alma Dr Plano, Collin County United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | STEAM, Interdisciplinary, and Project-Based Learning Public High School |
| Established | 2013 |
| Opened | 2013 |
| School district | Plano ISD |
| Superintendent | Brian Binggeli |
| Principal | Lynn Ojeda |
| Asst. Principal | Cathy Gashen |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Colour(s) | Light blue and silver |
| Mascot | Titan |
| Newspaper | The Titan Weekly Can |
| Feeder schools | Plano ISD MIddle Schools |
| Website | http://academyhs.pisd.edu/ |
Plano ISD Academy High School, or Academy High School, is a STEAM, interdisciplinary and project-based learning high school.[1] The school serves students from grades 9-12. This school is not a regular secondary school, because this school uses a selection process to draw eighth graders from various middle schools in Plano. The school is an alternative to regular high schools by offering collaborative team projects, more STEAM classes and the ability to attend classes without structured class periods. This school is one of the three Academy Programs in Plano ISD. The others are the Plano Health Science Academy and the International Baccalaureate Program.
Campus
The campus is located on 1701 Alma Dr., Plano, Texas, United States. The building is a three-story, former office building that belonged to Bell South,[2] and later, AT&T.[3]
In the summer of 2013, the PISD renovated the building and turned the building into a creative learning school. The school is an open floor plan school with classrooms that are dubbed Learning Spaces. There are three science labs, a fabrication lab, three presentation rooms, library, and conference rooms. Outside the building, there are three parking lots and a grassy area next to Alma Drive.[4]
Curriculum
The Plano Academy was designed for experimental project learning and advanced studies. Students graduating by senior year will have at least two endorsements. As part of the curriculum, all students graduate with the same coursework. There is 1:1 technology at the Academy. Some notable projects include making a Moon magazine, creating an Orange company, designing school curriculum, and launching projectiles. The tenth graders have the option to attend seminars, not classes. Students are able to work independently with their group with less teacher interference. Junior and seniors will also take courses offered by University of Texas that is college credit and high school credit, similar to Advanced Placement. At the end of the week, each grade-level facilitators award best learner and best team for effort during the past week.
Academics
The school offers electives such as foreign languages and Calculus. The school curriculum is designed for core classes to be shared among each grade level.
History
The Academy Visioning Committee started designing the plan for the school in 2010. Texas Instruments, Huawei and other companies,[5] endowed the new school. In 2013, PISD held a lottery to determine which students are able to attend. In the first year of Academy's opening, students were learning multiple classes combined into a single project. Student-led organizations and PTSA also hosted several fundraising and school events such as the Winter Social, and the paintball tournament. The Academy has also allowed visitors from around the Dallas community to see the school's learning environment.[6]
Clubs
The Academy offers over 20 clubs. Most clubs meet during school time. NHS and student council meet after school each week as well. Clubs include journalism, dance, video games, and many other interests.
Robotics Club
The Academy Robotics Club won the Rookie All-Star Award at the 2015 Dallas Regional FRC Competition. Team 5431 went on to Nationals in St.Louis Missouri (from April 22–25, 2015) and made to Carver Field Quarterfinals.
Solar Car Club
The Solar Car Club at the Plano Academy High School is a team of like-minded, driven and self-motivated individuals interested in competing in the Solar Car Challenge. The Solar Car Challenge is a competition where high schools from across the country gather to race a solar car that they have built over the past year or two. It is our goal to compete the summer of 2016. The Solar Car Club have been working almost a year in preparation for this event and have been enjoying planning our car.
See also
Notes
- ↑ "Plano Academy High School About US". Retrieved 2013-03-23.
- ↑ "1701 Alma Dr. official property records". Loopnet.net. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ↑ Ayala, Eva-Marie. "New Plano ISD Academy High School taking shape" (Archive). The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved on June 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Academies of Plano". Retrieved 2013-03-23.
- ↑ "Community". Retrieved 2013-03-23.
- ↑ "Academy Tours". Retrieved 2013-03-23.
External links
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