Hightower Elementary

Hightower Elementary in Plano, TX, is a high-performing school in the Plano Independent School District (Isd), serving 448 students in grades PK-5 with a long history of academic excellence and a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1.

Hightower stands out for its sustained, elite performance, having earned a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for ten consecutive years and ranking in the top 10% of all Texas elementary schools. This consistency is a key differentiator from nearby schools like Wells Elementary, Huffman Elementary, and Saigling Elementary, which have shown significant volatility in recent years. While other top performers like Gulledge Elementary and Centennial Elementary are also excellent, Hightower’s performance is more balanced across grades, with all grades performing well above 70% in the most recent year. Notably, Hightower’s 4th-grade students consistently achieve at an extraordinarily high level, with 86.67% proficient in Reading and 85.33% in Math, significantly higher than most nearby schools.

Hightower demonstrates a remarkable ability to serve a diverse student body effectively, ranking in the 96th percentile or higher for every student subgroup in the 2024-2025 school year, including English Language Learner, Special Education, and Low Socio-Economic Status students. This is a rare indicator of an equitable educational environment. The school also provides a compelling counter-narrative to the idea that more spending equals better results, spending $9,872 per student—less than the district average—while outperforming schools with higher spending like Weatherford Elementary, which spends $14,175 per student. A fascinating pattern emerged in the 2025-2026 data: 3rd-grade scores dropped significantly, but the same cohort of students posted phenomenal scores in 4th grade, suggesting the school’s 4th-grade program is exceptionally effective at accelerating student growth.