Plano Academies offer students options for nontraditional education

"Having those ninth and 10th graders has been a very positive addition to student life," King said. "Not only do [freshman and sophomores] want to do well in their classes, but they want to experience high school in every single way they can."

Sisnios Abebe is a senior at IB World School who plans to go into pre-med after graduation. He said he is exploring out-of-state universities.

"The good thing about IB is that you have choices now. You can go outside the U.S. if you really wanted to," Abbea said. "It helps with studying abroad."

Witcher said, "[Students] are so well-prepared after they finish this program. They're very confident students, and they go off to college that way."

Enrollment numbers 2014–15, Seniors: 85, Juniors: 105, Sophomores: 164, Freshmen: 233

Health Sciences Academy

The academy is split up into a ninth- and 10th-grade facility, located at Williams High School, and an 11th- and 12th-grade facility, located at PESHS. This school imitates the demands of a four-year university or pre-med program and allows students the opportunity to receive college credit through Collin College, as well as technical certificates and mentorship from professionals within the city's vast medical community, said Amy Bates, director of curriculum management and academy initiatives for PISD.

HSA offers an integrated education where students receive specialized health sciences classes as well as their core classes in math, English, science and social studies. HSA operates as a school-within-a-school so academy students can still participate in extracurricular activities, WHS Principal Gloria Martinez said.

Bates said students can pursue one of six tracks that allows for certified medical training upon graduation: emergency medical technician, certified nursing assistant, phlebotomy, electrocardiogram technician, patient care technician and health care information.

Martinez is new to her role as principal but said she enjoys the integration of HSA students.

"What I'm loving here is the kids definitely take on more responsibility," she said. "[HSA staff] truly are trying to give [students] a great experience that mirrors a college experience as much as possible."

Enrollment numbers 2014–15, Seniors: 0, Juniors: 39 , Sophomores: 93, Freshmen: 75

Academy High school

This school is the only stand-alone facility of the three academies. It is an institution for students ninth–12th grade that uniquely offers interdisciplinary curriculum focused on problem-based learning, said Amy Bates, director of curriculum management and academy initiatives for PISD.

At AHS, science, technology, engineering, arts and math, or STEAM, are emphasized, with every subject touching another, and discussion revolves around real-world scenarios, Bates said. The curriculum is project-driven and throughout the semester, learners collaborate in idea rooms to work on projects that incorporate every aspect of STEAM learning, Bates said.

Hunter Hughes, a second-year learner at AHS, made the transition from a traditional high school setting to AHS and said he prefers the academy's learning style.

"The problem-based learning style here is much better than getting a worksheet and having to remember something. At [traditional] high school, memory is the tool you use, and there's nothing you can apply it to," Hughes said. "[The facilitators at AHS] use the subjects to teach you how to apply them to your life."

Principal Lynn Ojeda said her primary duty is to interact with learners as well as to cultivate community and corporate partnerships to enhance real-world experiences for learners.

"Coming here requires you to find a new normal about what learning is," she said. "We're always putting [learners] in a position of the unknown. We're always pushing them into unfamiliar territory. There's a place for passion in this building."

Enrollment numbers 2014–15, Seniors: 0, Juniors: 74, Sophomores: 111, Freshmen: 123

Academy funding

Plano ISD's Education Foundation works to provide financial support to projects and academic programs across the district.

Harvey Fishero, board president for the Education Foundation, said the school district asked the foundation to reach out to the community and employers to make up any difference in funding for the three academies. The foundation hosts fundraisers and events like Ski Plano! and Thrill to Grill to help raise money. Last year, the foundation raised about $2.5 million to support programs across the district.

For more information visit: www.pisd.edu/about.us/foundation