Education in Frisco
The opportunities for lifelong learning and growth in Frisco are unparalleled. Home to an abundance of its own private and public schools, the city hosts additional schools in neighboring ISDs, including Lewisville, Little Elm and Prosper. Beyond grade school, Frisco’s higher learning institutions include top-notch colleges and universities.
Public Education
Frisco Independent School District’s commitment to “know every student by name and need” is at the heart of everything it does. This commitment is the basis for the district's small-school model, which ensures every student receives a nurturing, positive experience from grade school through high school and is prepared for whatever path the student chooses after graduation.
Beyond the classroom, students can experience personal growth and development through participation in a wide variety of extracurricular activities that are available through the multitude of schools across the district.
Frisco was also named “The Best Place to Raise an Athlete,” by Men’s Journal in part due to the high caliber of its facilities, including The Star in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys, which plays host to area high school football and soccer tournaments.
Frisco ISD continues to keep pace with the city's strong population growth, supported by the community with bond issues passing in 2014 ($775 million/77% voter approval) and in 2018 ($691 million construction bond and Tax Ratification Election).
The district’s award-winning CTE Center offers hands-on learning with more than 30 programs for students in ninth through 12th grade.
Course studies include:
Agriculture, Horticulture and Vet Tech
Arts AV Technology
Construction
Finance and Business Management
Graphic and Fashion Design
Health Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Law, Public Safety and Corrections
Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Video Game Design
Leadership Prep School is a highly regarded charter school focusing on excellence. As a public-school option, Leadership Prep provides a free-tuition school, with open enrollment. The school receives funding from the State of Texas and is accountable to state policies as well as the school's charter.
District stats:
98.3% graduation rate
110 National Merit Semifinalists (2022)
89 languages served
Enrollment
2018 – 2019: 60,911
2019 – 2020: 62,386
2020 – 2021: 66,865
2023 – 2024: 67,226
Number of Schools
1 intermediate school
43 elementary schools
18 middle schools
12 high schools
Career and Technical Education Center
Early childhood school
Student Opportunity Center
Frisco ISD was ranked Best School District in Texas (#8)- Niche.com, February 2017
Private Education
Frisco’s private schools rigorously challenge their students with high academic standards and encourage strong personal development and discipline. In 2020, Frisco private schools served nearly 3,500 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, allowing for a personalized student education and experience.
For parents wishing to enroll their children in any of Frisco’s private, preparatory and religious-based learning centers, there are an abundance to choose from with two high schools, eight elementary, and 16 preschools across the city.
Frisco's Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) has the distinction of being the first chapter to form in Texas, with the goal of bridging the gap between the community's education and business sectors.
The YEA! program is designed to guide middle and high school students through every aspect of starting a business or social movement, from business-plan development and pitching investors, to launching the venture, building a brand identity, e-commerce and web development, and even presenting at trade shows — all over the course of a school year. Unlike other simulation models, YEA! students exit the program with a fully formed and functioning business they can take into the real world.
Universities and Colleges
In a snapshot of higher education within a 50-mile radius of Frisco and across the Dallas metroplex, you’ll find some of the top universities and colleges in the nation educating and preparing students for the current and future needs of your company. These highly skilled graduates come from leading-edge programs in technology, energy, computer science, telecommunications, finance, education, engineering, and medicine, as well as commerce and communications.
Close to home, the highly respected University of North Texas and Collin College provide the key advantage of a readily accessible pipeline of top-tier candidates for Frisco employers to recruit. Other regional universities and colleges include University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Arlington, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Dallas Baptist University, and Amberton University. Approximately 350,000 -plus higher-ed students are enrolled in the D-FW area.
The University of North Texas at Frisco emphasizes the creation of custom curriculums and programs in addition to its traditional course offerings. A prime example is the university’s Inspire Park, an innovative business incubator and tech transfer center designed to work hand-in-hand with Frisco’s companies and major corporations to develop mutually beneficial, partnership-based opportunities and real-world experiences for its students.
Collin College has the lowest tuition of any public college in Texas and continues to add to its current network of satellite campuses serving full-time and continuing education students. The Frisco campus houses a number of business, engineering, and technology-centric centers.
Collin College’s National Convergence Technology Center (one of only four in the U.S.) trains students and faculty to meet the rising call for employees versed in integrating technologies. The school’s new three-story IT Center for Excellence serves 2,500 students studying technology-driven courses in networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, gaming simulations, healthcare information technology and more.
For over 50 years, Amberton University has met the specific educational needs of mature students seeking bachelor’s or master’s degree programs, or specialized certifications. Amberton is a nondenominational institution with degree programs in accounting, project management, human resource management and multiple counseling disciplines, as well as other fields. The courses scheduled at Amberton’s Frisco Campus can be applied to many of the affordable bachelor’s degree programs that can be completed through a combination of on-site and online courses.
Accelerated courses (online and in-class), small class sizes and affordable tuition are key trademarks that distinguish Amberton University. Amberton offers credit for applicable military experience and training.
Continuing Education
Frisco is home to branches of various universities, each of which provide degree and continuing education opportunities geared toward corporate talent, including Amberton University Frisco Center and University of North Texas New College at Frisco.
Collin College is in the Collin County community college district, with the Preston Ridge Campus located in the heart of Frisco. Currently, the college serves over 45,000 students and offers over 100 degree and certification programs. Click here for more information.
Specialized employment and training programs from Collin College include:
Continuing Education and Workforce Development: The CE division of Collin College offers courses and certifications in a wide variety of curriculum, from logistics to human resources to the latest trends in technology and sustainable practices. Click here for more information.
Collin Corporate College: The Collin Corporate College is Collin County's premier provider of corporate and workforce education and training. Leveraging the academic excellence of and powered by Collin College, the Collin Corporate College can empower your organization to achieve new levels of success through individual and team development. Click here for more information.
Early Education
For decades, Frisco’s public school system has ranked among the top in both North Texas and the country, earning widespread admiration. With 77 schools that serve nearly 67,000 students, Frisco’s public education system provides families with high-quality instruction and learning.
Outside of Frisco’s traditional public schools, families have their pick of alternatives, from religious schools to Montessori schools. Religious schools like Legacy Christian Academy and Grace Covenant Academy provide options for faith-based education, while Starwood Academy of Frisco and Kids USA Montessori allow little ones to study under the Montessori method.
Home to a number of private and public schools, the city offers premier early learning with effective and nurturing educators. Of course, not every preschool is created equal, so a healthy dose of research into each school's educational approach is highly recommended. Ahead, a breakdown of some of the top early education schools located in Frisco.
Frisco Independent School District holds an A rating, the highest rating for a public school district in the state and achieved by only 27.9% of schools across Texas, according to 2022 data.
Offering a full-day prekindergarten program at the Early Childhood School and designated elementary campuses across the district, the FISD requires that students be at least 4 years of age on or before September 1 of the target school year to be eligible to apply. The program is free and only for qualifying students.
The Early Childhood School provides both an environment and faculty focused on the pre-academic, language, social, emotional and physical needs of young children, aged 3, 4, and 5 years old.
Early Childhood Special Education
Students who identify with a disability can begin receiving special education services as early as 3 years old. The services are based on an Individual Education Plan (IEP), determined after an evaluation.
FISD designates several elementary schools as pre-K sites, basing a family's campus placement on the assigned zoning and campus enrollment at the the time of enrollment. Find a list of schools here.
These schools and centers specialize in nurturing the unique needs of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and younger school-age children. A few of Frisco's premier academies include:
Children's Lighthouse Early Learning School
Children's Lighthouse leads the way in values-based early childhood education, providing care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Fostering the joy of learning, the school utilizes small class sizes where little ones can make personal connections in a nurturing and safe environment.
Founded by the Weissman family in 2002, The Learning Experience makes early education and daycare fun for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers). The students and educators engage in L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Program) Curriculum, which uses immersive activities to help children develop intellectually, socially, and cognitively.
An award-winning learning center and private preschool in Frisco, The Blue Elephant welcomes children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. The school's mission is to make every day the best day for your little one, catering their education to their individual skills, needs, and talents.
Offering children structured foundations, while integrating faith-based principles with academics and nurturing holistic development, religious schools are abundant in Frisco.
Since 1999, Legacy has provided a quality education built upon Christ-centered relationships. Named the best private school in Frisco for seven years running, Legacy welcomes children as young as 4 years old.
At GCA, students as young as 3 are taught decision-making and problem-solving skills in addition to their academics. Tapping into God-given potential early on, the school is committed to academically sound and biblically-based education.
Starwood's approach to education is rooted in Montessori pedagogy, with the ultimate goal of cultivating humans who lead lives of passion and purpose. Starting early, the school offers a Toddler Program (18 months to 3 years).
The organization's flagship campus offers a holistic educational journey by merging the Montessori approach with contemporary learning tools, including hands-on explorations and digital-savvy expression. Programs start at Infant.
More Reasons to Choose Frisco
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