Plano Senior High School
| Plano Senior High School | |
 The pond at Plano Senior High School | |
| Motto | A Tradition of Excellence |
|---|---|
| Established | 1891 |
| School type | Public |
| Grade levels | 11th and 12th |
| Principal | Dr. Doyle Dean |
| Location | Plano, Texas, USA |
| Campus | Suburban, 96 acres (.4 km²) |
| Enrollment | 2,576 |
| Faculty | 230 |
| Mascot | Wildcat File:Pshs logo.gif |
| Colors | Maroon and white |
| Homepage | k-12.pisd.edu/schools/pshs/ |
Plano Senior High School (commonly Plano, Plano Senior, or PSHS) is a secondary school serving high school juniors and seniors located in Plano, Texas. The school is part of the Plano Independent School District. The school is a two-time Blue Ribbon School and a Texas Exemplary School which has a long standing history of academic excellence. It is accredited by the Texas Education Agency and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school mascot is the Wildcat. [1]
Plano's high school system
The organization of Plano high schools is particularly unusual. High schools serve high school freshman and sophomores and do not have varsity teams in any competition. Typically, two high schools feed into each of three senior high schools, which serve high school juniors and seniors. [2] High school students who are good enough to compete at the varsity level may be bussed to the senior high school to compete in varsity sports. Other students who are not yet at the varsity level will compete at the junior varsity level in their high school. For this reason, each senior high school's talent pool is gigantic, Plano's 2005 enrollment for athletic purposes is officially listed as 4,706.87. [3]
History
Plano Public School
Prior to the formation of the Plano Public School, various private institutions existed within Plano for the education of children. One of these, the Plano Institute, was a private school founded in 1882, which offered an Artium Baccalaureatus degree. On June 9, 1891, it was determined by a vote of the people of Plano that the city should assume control of the schools. On July 9, the citizens approved a fifty cent tax for school purposes.[4] The citizens approved the purchase of the Plano Institute land and building on 21 July.[5] Thus, Plano Senior High School was founded in 1891 as Plano Public School in the former building of the Plano Institute. These grounds would later become the Cox Administration Building. [4]
In 1892, Plano graduated its first class of five people. The original building burned down on May 7, 1894, and funds were allocated for reconstruction on the same site. In 1899, the Plano Independent School District became a separate entity from the city.[6] Because of this separation, 1899 is often incorrectly cited as the establishment date for Plano Senior High School. Starting in 1901, the school was affiliated with the University of Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M, and Southwestern in order to ensure that graduates could secure entrance to college. Unfortunately for students, official affiliations eventually ended due to budget restrictions.[6] However, the affiliations coupled with the high standards of Plano schools led to a large number of graduating students going on to attend college. In any given year, a vast majority of the graduating class, as much as eighty percent, matriculated to an institute of higher learning, such as Harvard, Yale, Texas, and Baylor.[7]
The rebuilt Plano Public School again burned down in the spring of 1903, leading to the construction of a new building. The students went to classes in the local Opera House until the completion of the new building, often called the "Spanish School" because of its Moorish architecture. Following its construction, the district built various new facilities to support its students including a new band hall, gymnasium, and auditorium.[6]
In 1922, the Texas Department of Education informed the district that the Spanish School was "inadequate ... for high school work" By 1924, the district had constructed a new building to house the Plano Public School. By 1935, the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, and the WPA offered to build the district a much-needed new gymnasium.[6] The $125,000 USD (1.61 million 2005 dollars)[8] building, completed in 1938, was used as a gymnasium, auditorium, classroom, and laboratory, allowing new curriculum including agriculture, business, and home economics.[4] This expansion allowed Plano students a choice of 30 credit classes with which to complete their required 16 credits for graduation.[6]
Plano High School
In September 1952, Mendenhall Elementary School was created, separating primary students from high schoolers. That same year, the newly created Plano High School was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, allowing its graduates to enter college without taking an entrance exam. In 1957, Plano High School moved to a new location on the east side of town, now the site of Williams High School.
Following the 1954 decision of Brown v. Board of Education, the Plano school board considered the issue of integrating Plano High School with Plano Colored High School. The school board formed a commitee of "colored citizens" to address the concern. Twice, in 1955 and 1957, when asked if they favored integration, the citizens stated they "were perfectly happy with their school and would like to be left alone."
In 1964, the issue was raised again when the school board voted to let students of the Plano Colored School, by then renamed the Frederick Douglass School, decide if they wanted to integrate with Plano High School. The students voted to integrate and Douglass School became a primary facility. The 1964-1965 football team, the first integrated team for the school, also won the first state championship in school history, helping to ease racial tensions. By 1968, Douglass School was closed. The Texas Education Agency later praised the district for its handling of integration, calling it an "exceptional job."[6]
Plano Senior High School
In the 1970s, in response to massive growth and a desire to lower dropout rates and increase college readiness, Superintendent H. Wayne Hendrick began a search for a new way to organize the school system. After touring several successful systems across the country, including those in Flint, Michigan, Cherry Creek, Colorado, Evanston, Illinois, and Hillsboro, Oregon, Hendrick found none of their systems suitable for Plano's needs. He instead decided to create the new senior high system, as described above. This system allowed student to complete most of their required credits in high school and specialize with vocational classes at the senior high.
The firm of Jarvis, Putty, & Jarvis created a plan for a 96 acre campus at the northeast corner of Independence and Park with five buildings, very similar to the layout of a junior college. The campus is now comprised of six buildings, including a relatively new indoor workout facility, and all are interconnected by greenspace, featuring a man-made pond as the central element. The campus was constructed at a cost of 10.3 million U.S. dollars (38.6 million 2005 dollars)[8]. The school opened for the 1975-1976 school year with only two buildings completed. By Christmas, all five buildings were completed and the school was dedicated on March 7, 1975. The new senior high school offered a broad variety of studies previously unseen in the district. The new facility offered courses in social studies, drama, art, journalism, and vocational studies in clothing design, professional child care, cosmetology, air conditioning repair, and metalworking.[6]
Due to astounding growth rates of the city of Plano, in 1979, Plano East Senior High School was built to alleviate overcrowding. In 1999, Plano West Senior High School was built for the same purpose.
Academics
Plano operates on an 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM schedule which include 8 periods and a break for lunch.[9]
Plano offers 29 Advanced Placement courses, almost all of the 31 courses possible with the exception of French literature and Latin literature. Yearly, the school administers more Advanced Placement tests than any other school west of the Mississippi River, and the second most tests in the United States, 2,237 exams in total.
Plano offers many of vocational courses, as was Superintendent Hendrick's intent when the school was built. Plano currently offers vocational courses in agriculture, home economics, journalism, fashion design, advertising design, drafting, automotive technology, automotive paint and body, clinical rotation, and criminal justice.
In the 2005 class, 97% of graduates went onto college or university: 85% went onto a four-year university, the remaining 12% went to a two-year college. Students in the class achieved a composite SAT score of 1162 out of 1600. The class's mean composite ACT score was 24.7 out of 36.[10]
Plano achieved many National Merit Scholarship accolades in the 2005 school year. These individual class statistics are indicative of previous years' performances.
- 30 Finalists
- 33 Semi-finalists
- 58 Commended students
- 6 National Hispanic Scholars
- 1 National Hispanic Honorable Mention
- 3 National Achievement Scholars
Extracurriculars
Athletics
Football
A small group of Plano boys formed an unofficial football team in 1898. In 1900, the first official high school team was formed. In 1909, Superintendent C.F. Walker complained to the local paper, "Do you sleep well at night when you know your boy is on the streets kicking a football?" Despite his concerns, by 1914, Plano fielded a football team and a men's and women's basketball team. However, the first World War cancelled all athletics, as there were not enough men to field any teams.[6]
By 1925, athletics programs had been re-established, and a mascot had been chosen, the Wildcat. The 1925 football team completed an undefeated season, and the resulting fervor led to the increased funding of athletics in Plano. The district allocated funds to purchase a cow pasture for the purpose of playing football and other sports. The pasture was renamed Guy M. Rice Field, after the team's first football coach. By 1939, a "modern" stadium had been built at this site. With the construction of Plano High School in 1957, an accompanying stadium was built, and Rice Field was abandoned. In 1977, Plano completed construction on John Clark Field at a cost of $2.75 million ($8.92 million 2005 dollars).[8] Clark Field is the facility used for all varsity football games today.[6]
Following the integration of Plano High School with Plano Colored School, the football team made its first run at the Texas state championship in 1965. Most of the town shutdown to make the drive to Austin, Texas, and see the Wildcats win their first state championship. After the Wildcats won the championship again 1967, the team was voted Texas Outstanding Football Team.[6]
The Plano Varsity football team has gone to nine Texas state championships, as summarized below, and won seven. Plano's seven championships tie the school with Brownwood and Celina for the most in Texas. [11] Plano Senior High teams compete in UIL sports in District 8 in the 5A Class, the class designated for the largest schools. The school will move District 9-5A in 2006 following biennial realignment. [12]
Following the creation of Plano West Senior High School in 1999, Plano lost much of its player base to the new school. The 2003 Plano Varsity football team suffered a winless season for the first time in the history of the school. The sophomores who were recruited to play at the varsity level during the dismal 2003 season became seniors in the 2005 season. The 2005 team completed a perfect 10-0 regular season and went 3-1 in the playoffs, finally being defeated by the eventual state champions, the number one nationally rated Southlake Carroll Dragons.[13]
| Football State Championship Games[11] | ||||||
| Year | Winning Team | Losing Team | Location (all in Texas) | Class | ||
| 1965 | Plano | 20 | Edna | 17 | Nelson Field, Austin | 2A |
| 1967 | Plano | 27 | Randolph Field | 8 | Baylor Stadium, Waco | 2A |
| 1971 | Plano | 21 | Gregory-Portland | 20 | Memorial Stadium, Austin | 3A |
| 1977 | Plano | 13 | Port Neches Grove | 10 | Texas Stadium, Irving | 4A |
| 1978 | Houston Stratford | 29 | Plano | 13 | Astrodome, Houston | 4A |
| 1986 | Plano | 24 | La Marque | 7 | Kyle Field, College Station | 5A |
| 1987 | Plano | 28 | Houston Stratford | 21 | Memorial Stadium, Austin | 5A |
| 1993 | Converse Judson | 36 | Plano | 13 | Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco | 5A |
| 1994 | Plano | 28 | Katy | 7 | Kyle Field, College Station | 5A |
Basketball
The Plano boys' basketball team, which has existed as long as the football team, has taken only three trips to the state championships. After losses in the 1952 and 1980 championships against Dimmitt and Houston Kashmere, respectively, Plano did not return to the tournament again until 2006. On March 11, 2006, the boys' basketball team won the school's first state basketball championship in overtime against Humble Kingwood High School at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. The game was broadcast across the southwest United States by regional carrier FSN Southwest.[14]
| Basketball State Championship Games[14] | ||||||
| Year | Winning Team | Losing Team | Location (all in Texas) | Class | ||
| 1952 | Dimmitt | 62 | Plano | 40 | Gregory Gymnasium, Austin | A |
| 1980 | Houston Kashmere | 70 | Plano | 69 | Frank Erwin Center, Austin | 4A |
| 2006 | Plano | 60 | Humble Kingwood | 58 | Frank Erwin Center, Austin | 5A |
Wildcat marching band
An unofficial band was first organized in 1935. In 1955, the school hired University of Arkansas graduate Emmitt Clem, who led the band for twenty-one years and wrote the alma mater. The band quickly became widely acclaimed. The band performed pre-game for the first Dallas Cowboys season and at a nationally televised Cowboys game at the Cotton Bowl in 1962. After Clem retired, Charles Forque took over as the band director. Forque brought close friend Doc Severinsen, band leader of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, to the high school every year to play with the jazz band.[6] The band has performed in Carnegie Hall and at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. The Plano band is currently under the direction of Plano alumnus, Jeremy Kondrat.[15]
In the news
- The Plano Senior High Speech Team recently won the 2005 national title at the Princeton University tournament.[16]
- Plano Senior High was named by the Grammy Foundation as a 2005 Grammy Signature School Gold school.[17]
- Plano science teacher, Karen Shepherd, was named 2005 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year.[18]
- The Academic Decathlon team took first place at the state competition and advanced to nationals in 2006 for the first time in school history.[19]
Notable alumni
- Robert Dodd — MLB pitcher
- John B. Herrington — NASA astronaut; first Native American to fly in outer space
- Scott Mechlowicz — actor appearing in Eurotrip and Mean Creek
- Malcolm Perry — first doctor to attend to John F. Kennedy at Parkland Hospital
- Billy Ray Smith — former NFL linebacker and current Fox Sports personality
- Pat Thomas — former two-time All-Pro NFL defensive back
- Alan Tudyk — actor whose notable appearances include Firefly, A Knight's Tale, and the Broadway musical, Spamalot
- Jennifer Vasquez — contestant on reality television show Big Brother 6
References
- ^ "Plano Senior High School: General Information". Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Feeder Schools Chart". Plano ISD Website. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "2004-06 Official Football and 2004-05 Official Basketball District Alignment Conference 5A" (PDF). University Interscholastic League Wesbite. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Sigler, E.A. (1996) [1985]. "Education". Plano, Texas: The Early Years (2nd ed. ed.). Wolfe City, Texas: Henington Publishing. ISBN 0-9651841-0-2.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Sigler, E.A. (22 February 1940). "Three Buildings Lost By Fire—School Now Ranks as One of Best In State". Plano Star Courier.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k McLeroy, Sherrie S. (1999). A Century of Excellence, Plano Independent School District: An historical perspective. Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing.
- ^ Blalack, T.H.B. (1915). "College Students from Plano". The Plano Review. Plano Star Courier.
- ^ a b c "The Inflation Calculator". Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bell Schedule". Plano Senior High School Website. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Class of 2005 Profile" (PDF). Plano Senior High School Website. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Staff Reports. "UIL football championships". Dallas Morning News.
- ^ "2006-08 Official Football and 2006-07 Official Basketball District Alignment Conference 5A" (PDF). University Interscholastic League Wesbite. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Plano". Texas Prep Xtra. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Staff Reports. "UIL boys baketball champions". Dallas Morning News.
- ^ "Plano Band Directors". Plano Band Website. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "PSHS Teammates Sweep Princeton Speech Championship". Plano ISD Website. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Grammy Foundation® names 42 high schools as the 2005 Grammy® Signature Schools". Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Karen Shepherd, Secondary Teacher of the Year for Plano ISD, Region 10 and the State of Texas!". Plano ISD Website. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Academic Decathalon". Plano Senior High School Website. Retrieved 17 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
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