Best Public Schools in Allen, TX

The city of Allen, Texas, is served by 20 public schools, primarily within the highly-ranked Allen Independent School District (Isd), which includes 15 elementary schools (grades K-6), three middle schools (grades 7-8), one high school (grades 9-12), and one alternative freshman center, with one elementary school belonging to the Plano Independent School District (Isd).

For parents, the standout academic performers are clear. Mary Evans Elementary and Beverly Cheatham Elementary are consistent powerhouses, ranking in the 98th and 99th percentiles statewide, respectively. Interestingly, Beverly Elementary, though in Plano ISD, is also a top-tier performer in the 98th percentile. At the middle school level, Walter & Lois Curtis Middle and Ereckson Middle are neck-and-neck, both ranking in the 97th percentile and excelling in advanced math. In contrast, Alton Boyd Elementary faces the most significant challenges, with the lowest state ranking and test scores, while Alvis C. Story Elementary and Gene M. Reed Elementary also struggle with low proficiency rates, particularly in math.

A key takeaway is the strong correlation between socioeconomic factors and performance, as the lowest-performing schools have the highest percentages of students on free/reduced lunch. The district spends significantly more per student at these struggling schools—Alton Boyd Elementary spends $13,168 per student compared to $8,469 at Mary Evans Elementary—yet the achievement gap persists. Another interesting finding is the "Algebra I divide": middle schools boast near-perfect Algebra I proficiency rates, but this drops dramatically to 60.92% at Lowery Freshman Center and a puzzling 4.65% at Allen High School, indicating that advanced math students take the course earlier. Overall, Allen High School remains a strong performer with a 97.7% graduation rate, while the district's elementary schools show a wide range of outcomes.