Allen High School

The only real knock I can see someone have on the school is it size. While the number of students can be overwhelming at times, it also offers opportunities because of that size that other schools do not have. The programs and technical resources are equal to most small colleges. Also, while some clamor for a second school on the west side, you need to understand the reasoning behind the decision for one school rather than two. Most who complain are obviously new to the community. The people of Allen did not want the town to be split between east side and west side. They wanted ONE community. And while I can read through the lines of some of the east side vs. west side comments, I believe that Allen is such a strong community because there is ONE school. I agree there is excessive funding that goes into the athletics of the school, but the sports programs have created bonds through the players, parents, band, students, and community. If you don't believe me, go to a Friday Night football game.While not perfect, I have had minimal issues with my kids going through Allen ISD from K-12.
—Submitted by a parent

The tech teacher could be making easily half a million but choses to teach his students how to be succesful. That's heart and dedication. Geez, one of my teachers helped create the IB Porgram used all around the world! Now, if you have a teacher, they will know your name. They make it a priority to know it within the first week or two. My teachers and I have conversations about anything! It goes way beyond a business relationship. Yes, Allen cares about football. I mean we have a good team and live in the South, can you blame us? But the school does not put aside academics because of it. We have a 98.7% graduation rate, students get along at our school, no major drug problems, and trust me, once you are in the top 10% of your class it's battle of brains and determination to stay up there. These people aren't dumb. If you have a problem then you could always move to DISD with a gradyation rate of 41% or for that matter, Plano, where they do have multiple schools. You just have to make sure you aren't found on the "wrong part of town" at a certain time, or get used to having your car egged or keyed because of the ATHLETIC rivalry. I am anAllen Eagle, and will stand up for my school.
—Submitted by a student

As an Allen High School grad I can say that it is the best school in the Dallas area to attend. Keep up the good work.

I like Allen a lot. I actually like how big the school is because with a bigger school comes more diversity and a better chance at making friends. Generally, when there's smaller schools, kids will become outcasts when they're abnormal, but here there's so many kids you're bound to find someone you have something in common with! The teachers are mostly helpful and nice. There is one thing I would change though... academics. Like stated in previous reviews, athletics are the main priority here. I'm on the cheering squad and love football but I also love math. I wish there was more of a focus on what school is actually for - learning.
—Submitted by a student

Dedicated, hard working extra-mile going staff!
—Submitted by a parent

To the parent who wrote about the school being on the East side. Don t take it wrong but is this about East being often a less affluent area or about school performance? Look at the map and tell me what percentage of the City of Allen is on the East than on the West. I do agree with you on the fact that they seem to focus Way Too Much on the athletics; sadly they aren t the only ones I think the fact that it s a big school in a way help to prepare student for what comes ahead when they go off to college, but they should have more personnel and more uniform rules about the dress code. You can t ask somebody not to dye their hair pink and allow this girls to wear an inch tick make up on their faces or heels.. I m a very modern parent but I do believe heels and make up distract more than a pink hair or ask the boys In general this school is great not perfect but better than most in Plano or McKinney, parents speak up!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous post that the school is way to large. Most of the families on the west side would like to see a west side high school. The majority of the funding in the school goes toward athletics, not academics. Text books are collected well before finals week but athletic equipment is never picked until the season has ended. The summer reading list was not posted until mid July while performance course schedules were posted in early May. You can see the focus here is athletics not academics.
—Submitted by a parent

The focus of this school is to become a football powerhouse. It is an "ode to largeness" in an attempt to gather the largest pool of players possible. Other programs and academics suffer because of it. This school does have some very good teachers, although they may not know the kids by name. The better teachers are frequently found in the preAP and AP courses. Parent communication is not good, and calling the school is difficult as you will be routed through an extensive phone tree, only to end up in someone's voicemail box, and, this person will call you back in maybe 1 month, and ,will not be able to answer your question anyway. Many courses are challenging, while others are a joke. My child received an "A" in speech and never actually gave a speech. There is not continuity among level of expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

Way too many students!! allen needs another high school!
—Submitted by a parent

Best School for Special Needs Kids, great programs, great teachers and great help
—Submitted by a parent

It's a beautiful school, with an amazing set of teachers. Theres a TON of clubs (too many too even count), a huge cafeteria with a tasteful selection of food, and a helpful team of cops. It's extremely safe, and has one of the best News Broadcast programs around. It's curriculum is extensive, and many of the IB classes and AP classes have low class limits so that there's only twenty other kids in there with you.(: That way you get more personal attention.
—Submitted by a student

Allen High was a great school had alot of varity of programs and it had wonderful students. It was very understanding and had great education programs
—Submitted by a student

The Allen High School Special Education program is wonderful. They have such great, caring teachers and classes the kids need and enjoy.
—Submitted by a parent

Although Allen high school has a good academic program and and unique features, it is also very hard for a student like myself(a few years ago) to get recognized by colleges. Also being such a large school, there is less opportunities for the teacher to focus solely on a student. I feel that allen helps to further kids in academics but puts them at a huge disadvantage when they go to college because of the huge bubble they are put in, because of the lack of many other cultures and backrounds that i wish i could have been exposed to. I would hate to bash this school, because they do have many good features academically that i cannot deny, but my experience there as a new student sophmore year was definately below average and very disappointing.
—Submitted by a student

The city of Allen builds all community parks and facilities around schools. This is very unique and is a excellent idea. I am especially pleased with Allen HS's Oachestra program. It is one of the best.
—Submitted by a parent

Allen High School continuously strives to be the best that it can be to maintain the school within a school philosophy.

This is a large and amazing school. Its academic standards are very high and has a myriad of organizations to be involved in. It is recognized and known for its excellence and the students can make the most of their time spent there all while being greatly prepared for college. However, a school is always what you make of it, so take advantage of the classes and clubs.
—Submitted by a student

The school is new and very large. It has a good diversity of programs. The school requires a great deal from its students. My son is a B/C student and finds some classes difficult, but I'm sure other students would be very successful here.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved to Texas from California in 1998, and Allen High school's new building opened in 1999. This is the only high school in Allen. The school has various sprts activities like football, swimming, basketball, etc. And it has great band team, which represented Texas in Rose Parade 2006. Parents in this area are very active at school due to large percentage of stay-home moms.
—Submitted by a parent

Very large school both in size and in population. Very fast paced. Does not have good one on one environment. Mainly white people. Most students very well off.
—Submitted by a student