Texas is home to some of the nation’s most competitive public school districts, and suburbs around Austin, DFW, and Houston dominate the top of the rankings. Plano ISD sits just below the top tier statewide but remains one of the strongest and most balanced districts in the Dallas–Fort Worth region, which is a major draw for homebuyers.
Why School Rankings Matter for Texas Homebuyers
Families moving to Texas are increasingly using school ratings as a “second MLS” when deciding where to live, especially in fast-growing metropolitan areas like Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston. Strong school districts tend to correlate with higher resale values, faster days on market, and better long‑term equity growth for homeowners.
For relocation buyers, the right district is not only about test scores; they also weigh student-teacher ratios, advanced academics, extracurricular activities, and college readiness when comparing neighborhoods. This makes high‑rated districts a powerful marketing tool for sellers and a key search filter for buyers.
Highest‑Rated School Districts in Texas
While rankings vary slightly by source, a consistent group of districts shows up near the top of statewide lists based on academics, college readiness, and parent reviews. Many of these schools are located in affluent suburbs with strong community support, stable tax bases, and extensive advanced-placement and extracurricular offerings.
Below is a sample of frequently cited top‑tier districts in Texas (statewide, not just one metro):
- Eanes ISD (Austin area) – Regularly ranked #1 in Texas with an overall A+ grade and very high college‑readiness metrics.
- Highland Park ISD (Dallas area) – A+ district with top test scores and long‑term home value premiums.
- Carroll ISD (Southlake / DFW) – A+ academics, strong athletics, and some of the highest college‑prep indicators in the state.
- Argyle ISD (Denton County) – Ranked in the top 1% of Texas districts and #1 in Denton County for 2025.
- Katy ISD (Houston area) – A+ rated and the top Houston‑area district for 2025, with strong growth and robust programs.
These districts typically post A or A+ academic grades, high graduation rates, and strong SAT/ACT profiles, making them perennial targets for both families and investors.
Where Plano ISD Ranks in Texas
Plano ISD has long been recognized as one of North Texas’s most respected school systems, serving about 53,700 students across 67 campuses in Plano, Frisco, Dallas, Murphy, Parker, and Richardson. At the campus level, the average Plano ISD school holds a high “B” rating, compared with an average “C+” across all Texas districts, putting Plano comfortably above the statewide norm.
Recent accountability data shows:
- Plano ISD received an overall “B” rating (82/100) from the Texas Education Agency for the 2024–25 school year, reflecting strong student achievement, growth, and readiness.
- The district earned a perfect score (100) on the 2024–25 Texas School FIRST financial integrity rating, confirming excellent financial management and efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
- In regional analyses of DFW school districts, Plano ISD is ranked among the top systems in the metroplex, with an academic performance score of 10 and a DFW rank of #6.
For buyers comparing options across the Dallas–Fort Worth suburbs, Plano ISD often competes with districts like Coppell, Frisco, and Allen as a high-performing, well-rounded choice with a diverse student body and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Plano ISD vs. Top Texas Districts
The table below compares Plano ISD to several widely recognized top‑tier Texas districts on key factors homebuyers care about.
*“Typical Overall Grade” references composite grades and rankings from statewide sources such as Niche and regional academic profile reports.
For many buyers, Plano ISD offers a compelling balance: strong academics and programs similar to those found in higher-priced elite districts, but with a wider range of price points and housing styles. That combination can be especially attractive for families who want quality schools without the ultra‑premium price tag associated with some of the most exclusive districts.
What This Means for Plano Homebuyers and Sellers
Because Plano ISD performs above the Texas average and ranks near the top of the DFW area, homes in the district are often easier to resell and attract a deeper pool of buyers focused on education. Neighborhoods zoned to historically higher‑performing Plano campuses can see stronger competition, lower days on market, and more resilient values in shifting markets.
