How does Frisco stack up against the rest of DFW?
Frisco has experienced massive growth in recent years, becoming one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. This surge in population has led to major expansion of the school district as well. Frisco ISD now contains over 60 schools serving students across the northern suburbs of Dallas-Fort Worth.
With so many families flocking to Frisco for the schools, how does the quality truly compare to other districts across DFW? In this in-depth analysis, we will compare Frisco ISD to 15 other major school districts in DFW based on academics, resources, extracurriculars and more, and we’ll make this comparison across eight different academic domains:
- Academic Performance
- Breadth of Academic Programming
- Student-Teacher Ratios
- Teacher Qualifications
- Student Outcomes
- Facilities and Resources
- Extracurricular Activities
- Community
Let’s take a look.
1. Academic Performance
Academic achievement is a top priority for most parents in choosing schools. Frisco ISD excels in state and national ratings for academic performance.
- On the 2022 Texas Education Agency (TEA) ratings, Frisco ISD received an A grade and a score of 95 out of 100. This makes it the top ranked large district in North Texas.
- Frisco students consistently score well above state and national averages on standardized tests like STAAR and SAT.
- Frisco high schools dominated U.S. News 2022 Best High School rankings for Texas, with 7 schools in the top 50.
Compared to other DFW districts, Frisco ISD stands out for top-tier academics. Here’s how it stacked up against the 5 largest districts in DFW based on the latest TEA scores:
- Frisco ISD – 95
- Coppell ISD – 92
- Carroll ISD – 90
- Dallas ISD – 78
- Fort Worth ISD – 76
While Coppell and Carroll ISDs also scored A’s, Frisco edged them out with nearly perfect scores. Both Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs received C ratings from TEA in 2022.
When looking at average SAT scores, Frisco also shines:
- Frisco ISD – 1219
- Highland Park ISD – 1215
- Coppell ISD – 1195
- Carroll ISD – 1143
- Dallas ISD – 982
The average Frisco student scores 237 points higher than Dallas ISD on the SAT. This level of academic excellence makes it stand out in the Metroplex.
2. Breadth of Academic Programming
Frisco ISD contains over 60 schools at all levels – elementary, middle, and high school. Within this vast district, they offer an immense breadth of academic programming and options to meet diverse needs.
Some of the top programs include:
- 27 dual language programs in English and Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, French, German and Arabic
- STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) academies at middle and high schools
- Career and technical education pathways in healthcare, IT, culinary arts, criminal justice and more
- Special education services and targeted programs for gifted students
- International Baccalaureate Programme and AP Capstone diplomas at high schools
This programming rivals that of much larger districts like Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs. The variety gives students of all interests and skill levels the opportunity to flourish.
3. Student-Teacher Ratios
With a current student enrollment around 61,000, Frisco ISD has grown rapidly along with the local population. But it has managed to keep student-teacher ratios reasonably low despite this growth.
Frisco ISD average student-teacher ratios by grade level are:
- Elementary: 15:1
- Middle School: 16:1
- High School: 17:1
This compares very favorably to Texas state averages around 16:1 for elementary and 21:1 for high school. By adding staff and new schools along with enrollment, Frisco has prevented overcrowded classrooms.
Here’s how Frisco student-teacher ratios stack up to other major DFW districts:
- Highland Park ISD – 11:1
- Frisco ISD – 15:1
- Coppell ISD – 16:1
- Carroll ISD – 17:1
- Dallas ISD – 21:1
While not as low as the smaller, exclusive Highland Park ISD, Frisco maintains exceptional student-teacher ratios for a large suburban district. This allows teachers to provide more individual attention.
4. Teacher Qualifications
The quality of teachers has a big impact on education. Frisco ISD recruits highly qualified teachers and compensates them well.
Key stats on Frisco ISD teachers:
- 100% fully certified by the state of Texas
- 43% hold a Master’s or Doctorate degree
- Average 10 years of experience
- Top 6% in teacher pay scale in Texas
- Low 5% for teacher turnover
The combination of higher pay, newer facilities, strong reputation and supportive work environment makes FISD a highly desirable district for the best teachers. Teachers stay longer term and excel.
In comparison:
- Dallas ISD – 75% certified teachers, 25% turnover rate
- Fort Worth ISD – 5% teacher vacancy rate
- Allen ISD – 38% teachers with Master’s degrees
Frisco ISD edges out most competitors in maintaining a strong teaching staff.
5. Student Outcomes
A district’s quality is ultimately reflected in how well its students perform after graduation. Frisco ISD graduates excel in college, career and life outcomes.
- Over 88% of graduates enroll in college, with 63% choosing 4-year universities.
- On 2021 SAT exams, 78% of students met college-readiness benchmarks.
- From 2017-2020 grads, 82% persisted in college for a 2nd year.
- Graduates went on to attend prestigious universities like Stanford, Rice, Baylor, TCU, Texas A&M, and more.
- Students also excelled in earning industry certifications, military appointments, and internships in high school.
This data demonstrates that Frisco ISD prepares students for lifelong success beyond K-12 academics. Students are ready for competitive colleges and careers after graduation.
6. Facilities and Resources
Rapid growth in Frisco ISD has required massive investment into building new, state-of-the-art schools. Modern facilities and learning resources create great learning environments.
Frisco ISD school facilities include:
- Latest SMART technology like interactive whiteboards, 3D printers, and VR labs
- New athletics facilities from turf football fields to natatoriums
- Performing arts centers with professional sound and lighting
- STEAM maker spaces for project-based learning
- Well-resourced media centers and collaboration spaces
Voters have approved 9 bond packages in last 15 years totaling over $4 billion to fund facilities. The community commitment to investing in quality schools is unmatched in the region.
7. Extracurricular Activities
In addition to academics, Frisco ISD offers an abundance of extracurricular activities to enrich student experiences.
Top programs include:
- Award-winning band, choir, orchestra and theater programs
- UIL academics like debate, math, science, journalism and more
- Champions in athletics like football, soccer, swimming, and lacrosse
- 130+ student clubs related to interests from art to community service
- 30+ CTE student organizations that build leadership and career skills
No matter what students’ talents and interests, FISD has an activity to allow pursuing it. These experiences build valuable skills and engagement beyond the classroom.
8. Community
As important as the schools themselves is the community surrounding them. Frisco residents take immense pride in their schools and participate actively in education.
Key signs of Frisco’s strong school community:
- High parent engagement via PTA, booster clubs, volunteering
- Voters consistently approve school bonds and funding requests
- Frisco Ed Foundation provides millions in grants each year
- Businesses partner with FISD for mentorships and internships
- City events like State of Education unite the community
The culture of prioritizing education makes FISD schools the heart of everyday life. This level of community support is unique compared to other metroplex cities.
The Takeaway
With outstanding academic performance, breadth of programming, top-tier teachers and facilities, exceptional outcomes, and a supportive community, Frisco ISD tops the rankings for school quality in the metroplex.
While other districts like Highland Park ISD and Coppell ISD also achieve excellence, none can match Frisco’s combination of academic prowess, immense scale, and comprehensive offerings. The breakneck growth has not compromised the quality that makes hundreds of families move to Frisco for the schools each year.
As Frisco’s population continues rising, all signs point to the district maintaining its reputation as the pinnacle for public education in North Texas for families seeking the best opportunities.
