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Plano West Senior High School (commonly West, Plano West, or PWSH) is a public high school in Plano, Texas serving high school juniors and seniors. Plano West is named after its geographic location within West Plano. The school is part of the Plano Independent School District, and enrolls students based on the locations of students' homes. Students at Plano West attended one of two high schools: Jasper or Shepton.

The combination of these two schools for 9th and 10th graders into the Plano West student body creates graduating classes of 1300–1500 students annually. Plano West was formed in the fall of 1999 as a newly renovated, former Shepton High School. Plano West is accredited by the Texas Education Agency, which designates the school as "Recognized." The school colors are royal blue, black, and white, and the mascot is the wolf, with the students recognizing the student body as "the wolf-pack."

History

Plano West Senior High School opened its doors for the 1999–2000 school year as the third high school in the Plano Independent School District (PISD), on property near a Polo ranch. Its opening foreshadowed the impending the population boom in Collin County over the next several decades.[2] The following year, Plano West began fielding full teams for varsity sports, cutting into the talent pipeline to rivals Plano Senior High School (PSHS) and Plano East Senior High School (PESH).[3]

Plano West attracted national attention in the summer of 2003, when Plano West baseball player Taylor Hooton hung himself. Hooton's suicide brought attention to teenage steroid use.[4][5]

After a widely publicized and vitriolic battle, PISD in 2009 approved boundary changes that would potentially expand PWSH's enrollment from 2,000 to 3,400 students over 3 years, due to growth patterns in the area's middle schools, eventually making Plano West the largest in Texas. The plan was met with opposition from parents, as PWSH would have enrolled 44% of 11th and 12th graders in the school district.[6] In the early 2010s, due to concerns about rising enrollment at PWSH compared to PSHS and PESH, the district considered options such as adding a fourth senior high school or spending $17 million to expand Plano West.[7][8]

Academics

Plano West has a total enrollment of over 2,600 students and includes students in the eleventh and twelfth grades.[9] After completing tenth grade at Jasper High School or Shepton High School, students matriculate to Plano West for the final two years of high school.[10]

Newsweek ranked Plano West the 22nd best high school in the United States and the #1 comprehensive high school in Texas in 2016.[11]

According to an analysis by PolarisList, Plano West sent the most graduates to MIT, Princeton, and Harvard of any public school in North Texas and the second-most of any public school in the state of Texas.[12]

Plano West led the state with 77 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017, representing the top 1 percent of scores of high schoolers who took the PSAT.[13]

In 2018, 1,223 Plano West students earned college credit through dual enrollment courses or by scoring high enough on Advanced Placement exams, the most of any school in Texas. The next highest was Allen High School, with 962 students earning college credit.[14]

The class of 2021 had an average SAT score of 1163 out of 1600 and an average ACT score of 27.4.[9]

Student life

Athletics

Plano West's mascot is the Wolves, and its colors are blue, white, and black. Starting in the 2023–2024 school year, the mascot and colors were aligned with its feeder schools of Jasper and Shepton.[10] Plano West fields 13 varsity teams, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, wrestling, lacrosse, drill team, and cheerleading.[15]

Tennis

The school is considered a team tennis powerhouse in Texas. The program has 18 state tournament championship appearances, winning five, the fourth most in UIL history.[16][17] From the school's founding in 1999 until 2017, it won every district match it competed in, a total of 144 matches.[18] Plano West won 20 consecutive district championships from 1999 to 2019.[16]

Team Tennis State Championship Matches[19]
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location (all in Texas) Class
2001 Plano West 10 El Paso Coronado 8 Lakeway World of Tennis, Austin 5A
2004 Plano West 10 Austin Westlake 5 Lakeway World of Tennis, Austin 5A
2005 Plano West 11 San Antonio Churchill 5 Lakeway World of Tennis, Austin 5A
2006 Plano West 11 Austin Westlake 6 Lakeway World of Tennis, Austin 5A
2016 Plano West 10 Houston Memorial 6 Texas A&M University, College Station 6A
2021 Plano West 10 Austin Lake Travis 3 Texas A&M University, College Station 6A

Football

The school's football team was coached by Mike Hughes from its founding in 1999 until 2015. Under Hughes, Plano West sent dozens of players to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, including David Lofton, Jordan Pugh, Kyle Bosworth, Jackson Jeffcoat, Soso Jamabo, and Auston Anderson. In 2012, the football team advanced to the fourth round of the Texas high school playoffs, the furthest in school history.[2]

Boys Basketball

After beginning the 2014–2015 season ranked as the #5 boys' basketball team in the United States, Plano West won the 6A state basketball championship on a buzzer beater from D. J. Hogg. The team also included Division I recruits Tyler Davis, Mickey Mitchell, Soso Jamabo, and Chris Giles.[20][21]

Boys Basketball State Championship Games
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location (all in Texas) Class Ref.
2015 Plano West 56 Clear Lake 54 Alamodome, San Antonio 6A

Girls Basketball

The girls' basketball team became a state power during 14 seasons under founding coach Don Patterson, winning 364 games including the 2006 state championship.[22] The team also advanced to the state semi-finals in 2014.[23]

Girls Basketball State Championship Games
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location Class Ref.
2006 Plano West 54 Rockwall 47 Frank Erwin Center, Austin 5A [24]

Championships

Girls Soccer State Championship Games[25]
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location (all in Texas) Class
2000 Plano West 2 Katy Taylor 1 Round Rock ISD Stadium, Round Rock 5A
2001 Plano West 3 Katy Taylor 0 Round Rock ISD Stadium, Round Rock 5A
2002 Plano West 3 Humble Kingwood 0 Round Rock ISD Stadium, Round Rock 5A
2007 Plano West 3 Deer Park 0 Round Rock ISD Stadium, Round Rock 5A
2012 Plano West 1 Katy Seven Lakes 0 Birkelbach Field, Georgetown 5A
2013 Plano West 4 Southlake Carroll 1 Birkelbach Field, Georgetown 5A


Hockey State Championship Games[26]
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location (all in Texas)
2004 Plano West 2 Clear Lake High School 1 Deja Blue Arena, Frisco
2005 Plano West 1 Highland Park High School 0 Deja Blue Arena, Frisco
2007 Plano West 2 Allen High School 1 (OT) Deja Blue Arena, Frisco
2011 Plano West 4 Southlake Carroll 2 Starscenter, Farmers Branch
2012 Plano West 4 (OT) Arlington High School 3 Starscenter, Farmers Branch
2014 Plano West 6 Plano Senior 3 Starscenter, Farmers Branch
Baseball State Championship Games[27]
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location (all in Texas) Class
2008 Plano West 10 Southlake Carroll 8 Dell Diamond, Round Rock 5A
Lacrosse State Championship Games[28]
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location (all in Texas) Class
2005 Plano West 13 Plano East 12 Houston, Houston,TX D2

Debate

The Plano West Debate Team has had many successes over the tournament season, with bringing home many awards. The most recent of which include 1st place at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in 2020, for the events International Extemporaneous Speaking and Big Questions Debate.[29] The team has had repeated success in cross-country and in-state tournaments, receiving many scholarships and creating opportunities for younger debate students to learn as well, through the Plano West Debate Camp.

Music

The Plano West Chamber Orchestra is made up of approximately 40 musicians. It has won 1st place in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Honor Orchestra competition (recognizing the top high school string orchestras in Texas) 5 consecutive times, in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010 (TMEA rules prohibit a school from entering the competition the year after it has won), along with several top-5 finishes from 2011 to 2015. The orchestra received the TMEA "Honor Orchestra" designation again in 2016 and 2019.[30] The orchestra has also been featured on the Disney Channel series "Totally in Tune" which aired in 2001.[citation needed] In 2005, the orchestra won a Cappie Award for Outstanding Pit Orchestra in a musical for the school production of Les Misérables.[clarification needed][citation needed]

The Choir Program performs at the annual Texas Music Educators Association Convention.

The Plano West Mighty Wolf Band has a marching and concert season and also has a winter guard program. In the 2009–2010 school year, the band had approximately 95 members; by 2015–2016, this had increased to about 195. The band was led by head director James Hannah from the school's founding until his retirement in 2017. Hannah was succeeded by long time Jasper High School band director Jackie Digby, who leads the band to this day.[31]

Plano West has taught a jazz band alongside its normal band program since the school's opening. In 2018, due to increased membership, the school added a second jazz band. The Plano West Jazz Orchestra, directed by Preston Pierce, was named a finalist for the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022.[32][33][34] The Jazz Orchestra was the invited high school Jazz Ensemble at the 2016 Texas Music Educators Association Convention.

In 2011, Plano West was named one of only seven Gold Grammy Signature Schools for its music program. The award recognizes top U.S. public high schools making an outstanding commitment to music education.[35]

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Search for Public Schools - Plano West Senior H S (483510008150)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Plano West football coach Mike Hughes retires". WFAA. February 9, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Sweany, Brian (September 1, 2004). "Plano on the Brink". D Magazine. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Barone, Don (March 15, 2005). "Testifying for Taylor". ESPN. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Nicholson, Eric (July 31, 2013). "Ten Year's After Son's Suicide, a Father Takes His Anti-Steroid Crusade to Congress. Again". Dallas Observer. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Plano West could soon be biggest high school in Texas". WFAA. March 9, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Plano ISD Parents Fighting Feeder Plan Change". CBS DFW. September 6, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  8. ^ "Plano ISD parent worries renewed over school boundaries". Dallas Morning News. December 2, 2010. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Plano West Senior High School". Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Webster, Teri (April 3, 2023). "Plano ISD begins process to align mascots, colors across grades 9-12". Community Impact. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "America's Top High Schools 2016". Newsweek. August 11, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "These Texas high schools send the most students to Harvard, Princeton and MIT". Dallas Business Journal. January 23, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  13. ^ Smith, Corbett (September 14, 2017). "Bragging rights: Which school has the most National Merit Semifinalists in North Texas?". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Ayala, Ayala (September 19, 2019). "Which Texas high schools earn the most college credit?". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "Plano West Athletics". Plano ISD. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Welsh, Matt (October 11, 2019). "Plano West edges Allen, extends district title streak to 2 decades". Archived from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  17. ^ Webster, Teri (October 5, 2021). "Plano West tennis coach Morgen Walker reaches milestone with 500th career win". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  18. ^ Giggy, Sean (September 17, 2017). "Plano West's historic, 18-year streak comes to dramatic end". WFAA. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  19. ^ "UIL State Team Tennis Tournament Records". Retrieved October 19, 2006.
  20. ^ McNabb, David (November 4, 2014). "National Super 25 boys basketball: Plano West No. 5, DeSoto No. 23". WFAA. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "D.J. Hogg's basket at the buzzer gives Plano West 6A boys title". Associated Press. September 24, 2016. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  22. ^ "Don Patterson, who built Plano West into girls basketball powerhouse, retires after 14 seasons". Dallas Morning News. February 26, 2013. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  23. ^ Grant, Ethan (February 28, 2014). "Manvel clobbers West in state semifinals". Plano Star Courier. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  24. ^ "2005-2006 5A Girls Basketball State Results". UIL. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  25. ^ Staff Reports. "UIL Girls Soccer Champions". Dallas Morning News.
  26. ^ "AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey Stats/Schedules". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved October 6, 2006.
  27. ^ Plano West Baseball
  28. ^ "Texas High School Lacrosse League".
  29. ^ "Two Plano West Students Earn National Speech & Debate Championships". PISD. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  30. ^ "Honor Orchestra History". www.tmea.org. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  31. ^ "Plano West Senior High Marching Band Preps for Exciting Fall". Plano BubbleLife The Online Home for Plano, Texas. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  32. ^ "Jazz at Lincoln Center Announces winners of Essentially Ellington Competition 2017". wyntonmarsalis.org. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  33. ^ "Competition & Festival". jazz.org. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  34. ^ "Announcing Top 15 High School Jazz Bands Competing at 2022 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival". JazzEd Magazine. February 23, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  35. ^ "Plano West Music Program Named 'Gold' Grammy Signature School". Plando Independent School District. Archived from the original on November 28, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  36. ^ "New England Patriots: Ben Bass". New England Patriots Roster. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  37. ^ "Lady Bears' Chou transferring to UCLA". Waco Tribune-Herald. June 16, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  38. ^ "Geoffrey Groselle". gocreighton.com. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  39. ^ "Jackson Jeffcoat - Yahoo Sports!". Jackson Jeffcoat. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  40. ^ "David Lofton". ESPN.com NFL Player Cards. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
  41. ^ "Carolina Panthers: Jordan Pugh". Carolina Panthers Roster. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  42. ^ "#32 Vickiel Vaughn". ESPN.com NFL Player Cards. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
  43. ^ "Titus Wall". missouristatebears.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.

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