During their work session on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with East Texas A&M University to launch a new Electrical Engineering Academy, starting in the 2026-2027 school year to be hosted at Jasper High School and Plano West Senior High School.
As part of the district’s Strategic Plan, this unique partnership will enable students interested in engineering to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, starting in their junior year of high school.
Benefits of the program include:
● Early exposure to concepts on circuits, electronics and power systems with hands-on learning through labs, design projects and experiments
● Completion of the Texas College Core, totaling 42 dual credit college credit hours through ETAMU, which are transferable to Texas public universities
● Innovation and creativity to design solutions to real-world problems with leadership and collaboration through team-based projects and presentations
● Opportunities for career exploration, workforce readiness and industry certifications
“Plano ISD continues to be nationally recognized for excellence by providing multiple opportunities for students to become college, career, military and life ready,” said Board President Dr. Lauren Tyra. “We went from having a Health Sciences Academy at Plano East, to launching Collegiate Academy at Plano Senior High, and now having a brand new Electrical Engineering Academy at Plano West, within two years. That is quite a feat for a district of our size and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Plano ISD educators and partner institutions in higher education.”
The new academy will be open to all current incoming 9th grade students, with 120 spots available for the first cohort. Courses will be held at Jasper High School for the first two years. Juniors and seniors will complete the academy at Plano West Senior High School, earning credits starting in 11th grade.
Students must:
● Take and pass the reading and writing portions of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment to enroll in college classes (11th grade)
● Be college-ready in math by or before their junior year
● Commit four years to the program
● Enroll in up to 53 college credit hours (including six electrical engineering credit hours)
“Thanks to the support of our trustees and ETAMU leadership, we are so proud to offer another pathway further enhancing the high-quality advanced education offered in our district,” said Plano ISD Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams. “The new academy is part of Pillar 2 of our strategic plan, where all Plano ISD students will have access to programs and experiences that will build a future-ready workforce and successfully bridge students to their chosen pathways.”
The Electrical Engineering Academy completes the district’s goal of having a high school academy program in all three Plano ISD senior high school clusters:
● Health Sciences Academy (East Plano)
● Wildcat Collegiate Academy (Central Plano)
● Electrical Engineering Academy (West Plano)
“This partnership gives students a powerful head start—earning college credit, exploring career paths and gaining the skills to succeed in engineering and beyond. We’re proud to partner with Plano ISD to provide this opportunity,” said Dr. Mark Rudin, East Texas A&M University President.
“We are excited to offer an electrical engineering academy that will prepare our students for this growing career field,” said Plano ISD Career and Technical Education Coordinator Dan Blier. “This will further grow a future-ready workforce, leading to high-wage, high-demand careers for students.”
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About Plano Independent School District
The Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD) (www.pisd.edu) endeavors to foster the highest level of student learning. Plano ISD is located 20 miles north of Dallas, Texas and serves the residents of approximately 100 square miles in southwest Collin County, including 66 square miles in the city of Plano, northern portions of the cities of Dallas and Richardson and parts of the cities of Allen, Parker and Murphy. Plano ISD employs 6,400 staff members who serve 45,000 students in 69 schools and 11 service facilities. Mission: Our Plano ISD learning community will educate, inspire and empower every student to activate their unique potential in a dynamic world.
Article source and photo credit: East Texas A&M University
